Beverly Hills Facelift - Raj Chopra, MD, FACS - Facial Plastic Surgeon
What is a Facelift?
A Facelift (Rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure designed to smooth and firm the skin, providing a fresh, youthful appearance. Throughout one’s life, the sun’s radiation, stress, gravity, and other factors cause the skin to sag and fit more loosely. Areas of the face and neck, in particular around the jaw line, are especially prone to the aging process. Though these changes are gradual, wrinkles and other signs of aging can make individuals “feel older” than they really are.
Surgery for a facelift involves realignment of facial and neck skin, and in some instances the removal of excess fat deposits. A facelift is often performed in combination with other facial cosmetic procedures and can be performed any time signs of aging begin to appear. However, patients are generally in their forties or older when they elect to undergo this procedure.
Reasons for Considering a Facelift:
- Sagging skin, muscle, and fat in the face and neck.
- Prominent nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jowls.
- Crease lines along the nose, mouth, and chin.
General Procedure
The standard procedure for a facelift commonly involves making small incisions just inside the hairline, following the contour in front of the ear, and continuing under the earlobe to the backside of the ear and to the lower scalp. Muscles are tightened, and any excess skin and fat are removed. If the neck line requires attention, an additional incision is made under the chin and the same procedure is again followed. Very small stitches are used to close the incisions.
A facelift may take several hours or longer depending on whether other cosmetic procedures are completed at the same time. Sometimes other procedures may be performed in separate appointments. There are several different facelift techniques that can be employed. Patients can discuss with Dr. Chopra which method is best for them when they come in for their consultation.
Recovery Process
Immediately after surgery, a facial bandage dressing is applied in order to decrease the recovery time and to reduce swelling. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing and recovery process. The stitches are normally removed within a week. Patients sometimes report some minor pain associated with surgery. Any discomfort can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given after the procedure. Your scars will fade over time but are permanent. We take care to conceal any scars so that they are barely visible. The image-enhancing effects become more evident over time and it can take a year for your face to settle into its new look.
If you have any questions regarding facelift surgery, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chopra, please call (310) 858-1787.