It can be difficult to accept that you have begun to age, especially when the process is causing you to appear older than you are. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and the environment can all speed up the aging process, leaving you with a less-than-desirable facial appearance.
Sagging skin, wrinkles, deep creases, and a loss of muscle tone can rob you of your more youthful and attractive facial contours. Facelift surgery targets the common signs of aging in the low to mid face areas, eliminating wrinkles, lines, and skin laxity (looseness) while restoring volume for a firmer, smoother, younger-looking face.
Dr. Allen Doezie is a well-respected, board-certified plastic surgeon who uses advanced techniques to perform facelifts in Ladera Ranch, California. Dr. Doezie has the skill and experience necessary to achieve your desired facelift results.
Schedule My ConsultationYour facelift procedure is tailored to specifically highlight the contours of your facial structure. Dr. Doezie may combine several techniques to provide your ideal results.
A facelift is by far the most effective way to correct signs of aging in the lower face and typically includes a neck lift.
Incisions are placed discreetly in the hairline to conceal scarring. Your incisions will often run along the ear, around the earlobe, and along the lower scalp. Patients who require a neck lift will have a secondary incision placed under the chin. The full length and extent of your incisions will depend on the correction needed to help you achieve your ideal results.
A loss of fat along the cheeks can lead to a loss of youthful facial volume. Fat distribution / grafting / transfer is not necessary for every facelift but may be advised if volume loss has caused a lack of facial definition. Dr. Doezie may also recommend facial implants if they would benefit you.
A quality facelift focuses on the deep muscular layer of the face. Loose muscles are the main cause of a sagging facial appearance. Lifting the deep muscular layer vertically helps restore a firmer facial aesthetic and will positively affect the quality and life of your results.
The final process of your facelift is trimming away excess skin. Once the facial muscles have been repositioned, the facial skin is re-draped to highlight your new facial contours.
Dr. Doezie uses the latest methods when carefully tightening and trimming the excess facial skin to avoid an overly tight, “windswept” look for natural results.
You will need a ride home after surgery and could use assistance for the first 24 hours. Be sure to get plenty of rest and follow all post-operative instructions. Cleaning and caring for your incisions will greatly reduce your risk of infection.
You should avoid direct exposure to sunlight throughout your recovery.
You will most likely need medication to manage pain in the first 48 hours. Your first follow-up appointment with Dr. Doezie will be scheduled within the first few days, and your surgical dressings will be changed or removed. He will examine your incisions and evaluate any bruising and swelling, which usually peak by the third or fourth day. Suture removal occurs one week post-op.
You should no longer require prescription pain medicine. Bruising and swelling will decrease, and you can expect Dr. Doezie to clear you for resuming non-strenuous activities such as light housework, correspondence, and walks.
Following Dr. Doezie’s instructions before and after your facelift will help ensure proper healing.
Some mild swelling, bruising, and tightness may remain by week four, but you should be returning to normal. Your results will begin to appear more clearly, with your final outcome apparent around week six.
Scars are usually pinkish-red at this point but will fade over time.
For comprehensive facial rejuvenation, consider adding these procedures for cosmetic concerns not addressed by facelift surgery.
Your facelift results will last for up to 10 or more years, and Dr. Doezie offers several medical-grade skin care products to help you maintain them:
Most patients return to work within two weeks of their procedure. You can resume your regular physical activities three to four weeks following your procedure but may experience discolored skin for several weeks. Most swelling will subside after six weeks.
Dr. Doezie attempts to place all incisions within the hair of the scalp to mask all scarring. However, some patients do not have adequate hair growth, or other complications cause visible scarring. Most scars can be covered with makeup after two weeks and generally fade over time. A silicone gel is recommended for two months following surgery to help minimize the chances of getting a red raised scar.
The cost of facelift surgery will vary based on the geographical location of the surgery, the technique used, and the surgeon who performs the surgery. The highest price does not always indicate the best quality of service. Choosing a surgeon who is experienced and highly skilled is crucial to get the most out of your investment. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the 2015 national average surgeon fee for facelift surgery was $7,286, not including anesthesia, operating room, or pain medication.
Facelift surgery provides long-lasting results that can remove years from your appearance. However, facelift surgery cannot halt the natural aging process. Taking care of your skin and avoiding direct exposure to sunlight and other harmful environmental factors can help prolong the quality of your results.
Dr. Doezie is currently accepting new patients here at Mission Plastic Surgery in Ladera Ranch and serves all of Orange County, California, and has patients from all across the country.
Call Mission Plastic Surgery today at (949) 481-9850 to schedule your consultation.
