| Cost range | Recovery |
|---|---|
| Cost range $8,000 - $12,000 | Recovery 2 - 3 weeks |
A facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the facial tissues and removes excess sagging skin. In the hands of a talented plastic surgeon, facelift can gently turn back the clock and restore a naturally youthful facial expression. The procedure is a great option for anyone who is self-conscious of noticeable signs of facial aging or feels their aging appearance affects their confidence.
Facelift requires a very specific skill set of surgical techniques and an all-encompassing understanding of facial anatomy. It is imperative to select a plastic surgeon like Dr. Genaro Valladolid, who has the combination of skills and experience needed to deliver subtle, natural-looking results from a complex procedure.
Dr. Valladolid’s expertise allows him to completely customize facelift to the individual patient’s unique needs and goals. He is also able to recommend other procedures like brow lift or eyelid surgery that might be combined with facelift to rejuvenate other areas of the face.
Candidates for facelift are individuals bothered by noticeable signs of facial aging in the lower two-thirds of the face such as:
Facelift candidates should be in good physical and mental health, not smoke (or be able to quit several weeks before surgery) and have reasonable expectations of surgery. Dr. Valladolid speaks candidly with every patient so they have a clear understanding of what the surgery can and cannot achieve.
Facelift is an outpatient procedure performed with general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
The incision pattern depends on the facelift approach taken and degree of correction needed. In a traditional facelift, the incisions are created at the temples in the hairline, continuing through the hair around the ear and ending on the lower scalp. Sometimes a second incision under the chin is needed, too.
Through the incisions, Dr. Valladolid lifts and tightens the deep tissues and muscles of the face. He redistributes fallen or displaced fat in the cheeks, and re-drapes the skin over the newly recontoured tissues. Finally, Dr. Valladolid trims away excess skin and closes the incisions.
Facelift does not treat the eye, eyebrow or forehead area, but it is often combined with procedures that do. It is common to perform brow lift or eyelid surgery in conjunction with facelift.
Recovering from facelift can take several weeks. Bruising, swelling and mild to moderate discomfort are common in the days initially following surgery, and subside over time. Dr. Valladolid provides complete post-surgery instructions to minimize aftereffects and promote a speedy healing process. Pain medication is prescribed to help manage discomfort.
Most patients are able to resume work one to two weeks after surgery and the rest of their normal activities within a month or so.
Most of Dr. Genaro Valladolid’s patients see the rejuvenating changes from facelift surgery last for up to 10 years. Over time, however, the effects of aging will start to show up again, at which point you may consider another facelift procedure. Either way, thanks to the prior work, your face should still look younger than it would have if you never had surgery.
Dr. Valladolid will offer tips that can help you extend the longevity of your facelift results. Staying out of the sun and using sunscreen are of utmost importance to prevent damage to your skin. Maintaining a healthy diet and using moisturizer will also keep your skin healthier.
Facelift surgery is for patients who are dissatisfied with the signs of aging that have appeared on their faces, and that can occur at different ages thanks to genetics and quality of skin care. Most patients that Dr. Valladolid sees for facelift are at least 40 since that is the average age when wrinkles start to manifest. Patients over 50 are extra motivated after they see their neck skin start to sag.
On the whole, the quality of your health matters more than your specific age. That said, on average, the younger you have facelift performed, the less obvious it is that you have had work done and the longer the rejuvenating effects last, so you may want to consider that if you are procrastinating.
Dr. Valladolid regularly performs facelift surgery in conjunction with a second or third procedure to achieve all of his patients’ aesthetic goals. By scheduling multiple surgeries for the same day, you have the added benefit of allowing the healing to take place concurrently, which means less time away overall from your job, responsibilities, and social life.
Most commonly, patients choose to pair facelift with browlift to ensure that the signs of rejuvenating changes correspond on the upper and lower portions of the face. For the same reason, some patients choose blepharoplasty to achieve younger looking eyes. Be sure to mention any other cosmetic procedures you are considering to Dr. Valladolid during the consultation phase to determine if combining treatments would be an appropriate solution for you.
Dr. Valladolid offers several less invasive treatments that are appropriate for the lower half of the face. For example, injectables like Botox and dermal fillers can tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles, Kybella can tackle the fat beneath your chin and chemical peel can restore a youthful glow to your face.
There is no doubt, however, that facelift surgery will provide your face with the most impressive and longest lasting results. If you are on the fence about having surgery, Dr. Valladolid will gladly discuss all of the options available to you during a consultation so that you can make a fully informed decision that feels right for you.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Valladolid at any of his three Arizona offices, please call (480) 770-5015 today.
To learn more about facelift surgery with Dr. Valladolid, please contact our practice by calling (480) 770-5015.
