What Facelift Procedures Can I Get?
You may be an appropriate candidate for a number of procedures. These might include BOTOX, a mini-lift, Sculptra, or a thread lift. Whatever your needs, our clinic will be happy to discuss with you which procedure is in your best interest. The first step is a consultation with Dr. Echavez based in San Francisco and Seattle.
The traditional face lift procedure tightens the skin in the neck, jaw, and lower face; the eye area and the forehead are not altered by this procedure. For typical facelift cosmetic surgery, any pain that the patient may experience afterwards may be alleviated with the use of oral medication. The immediate recovery period for most people who undergo a face lift procedure is one to two weeks.
Results following BOTOX injection generally last about three to six months. Rarely, the effect may last shorter or longer. Some patients find that over time, the results last longer and longer.
Would I Be a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
Almost any adult in general good health could be a suitable candidate for a facelift, however, Dr. Echavez will assess your circumstances and advise you of your options. You may choose to undergo rhytidectomy if you have any of the following conditions:
- Sagging in the area of the midface
- Deep creases, bags, wrinkles or puffy pockets underneath the lower eyelids
- Deep folds that begin at the corners of the nose and extend to the corners of the mouth
- Sunken cheekbones
- Fatty deposits in areas around the lower face
- The appearance of jowls
- Loose skin and fat under the chin and jaw (double chin effect
Get the most out of your facelift
Dr. Echavez’s technique restores youthful contours to the face from the lower eyelid/upper cheek, through the midface, to the neck and jaw.
To get the most from your facelift procedure, make sure you work with a board-certified, experienced and recognized plastic surgeon. Dr. Echavez has the education, experience, expertise, and understanding to help you achieve the results you’ve always wanted.
How is a Facelift Performed?
Dr. Echavez will analyze your individual facial features to determine the best approach and suggest a customized plan for you. You may require a lateral facelift, which redefines the jawline, combined with a moderate neck lift. Or you may do best with the mid-facelift, to lift the cheeks and lower eyelids, while smoothing out nasolabial folds and creases around the mouth.
In addition to facelifts, some patients may require the addition of volume in the form of permanent implants or injectable dermal filler treatments. Implants are most commonly used to augment the cheek, chin, and lips, however, injectable fillers may also be used in these areas, as well as many smaller locations. Dr. Echavez will explain the advantages of one treatment over another in your particular case, and make his recommendation.
Among the dermal fillers we use are Juvederm®, Restylane®, and Perlane®, all of which are hyaluronic acid-based fillers, with treatment results lasting about one year. BellaFill® is a permanent injectable filler, however, its use is limited to augmenting the cheek, nasolabial fold, and marionette lines.
Facelift Recovery
Following your facelift, a bandage will be placed around your face to minimize bruising and swelling, which normally peaks two to three days after the procedure. Some patients may also experience a sensation of numbness, and some discoloration of the skin lasting about two weeks. It is normal to experience soreness for about a month, with swelling disappearing completely after several months. Most patients are able to return to work and regular daily activities within three weeks following a facelift.
Dr. Echavez and his expert staff will monitor you closely during the recovery process. You will have several follow-up appointments to remove bandages and sutures and to address any concerns you may have about your facelift. Our compassionate approach and superior medical expertise have made a difference for men and women in and around San Francisco.
What is the cost of facelift in San Francisco?
Because each facelift procedure is highly personalized and customized for each individual patient, costs can vary, as you may decide to undergo a facelift in combination with another procedure. Dr. Echavez will discuss all aspects of the facelift procedure with you, including the costs as well as what kind of financing is available. We offer many ways to pay for your surgery. Please see our financing page for more information.
If you live around the area of San Francisco and want to know more about facelifts and whether or not this procedure may be right for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation today.
Discover The Traditional Facelift
Facelift (Rhytidectomy) in San Francisco, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that produces a tighter, more youthful facial appearance. As a consequence of aging, it is common for many of us to lose facial volume, particularly in the area of the cheeks. Our skin also loses elasticity, which results in sagging, wrinkles and sunken cheekbones. Sagging also contributes to the formation of jowls and causes our lower eyelids and cheeks to droop. A facelift helps to rejuvenate your appearance by lifting and tightening the skin, soft tissue, and muscle on your face, making it smoother and tighter. By lifting the facial tissue back to its original position and adding volume to sunken areas, resulting in smoother and more defined facial contours, a facelift can turn back the clock to reveal a more youthful you.
At San Francisco Plastic Surgery we offer different types of facelifts depending on your individual concerns. You may choose between a classic facelift, a lateral facelift, or a mid-facelift. Dr. Echavez will help you decide which is optimal for you.
The Procedure
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift. They include:
- Facial implants or fat transfer to improve contour
- Resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin
- Wrinkle reduction by injection of fat or fillers
Step 2 – The incision
Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your facelift choices include a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift or a neck lift.
A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck and underlying tissue is repositioned, commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted. Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away.
A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
The incisions will be closed with sutures that may dissolve or may need to be removed after a few days. Some surgeons use skin glues to seal the incisions. Once healed, the incision lines from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear.
Request Your Consultation
At San Francisco Plastic Surgery, our compassionate and knowledgeable staff is highly experienced in caring for facelift patients. If you live around San Francisco and want to know more about facelifts and whether or not this procedure may be right for you, call our office to schedule a consultation today.
