A face lift or neck lift, also known as a rhytidectomy (“removal of wrinkles”) or facial rejuvenation is a plastic surgery procedure performed by Dr. Shahin Fazilat to remove fat, smooth and trim excess skin, tighten the underlying muscles, and reduce the most important signs of aging to give your skin a fresher, younger look. After a face lift or neck lift surgery, some patients look 10 to 15 years younger.
Most patients ask about a face lift or neck lift procedure because their skin and underlying tissues have lost their elasticity. Wrinkles from excess sun exposure can also hasten this process and further contributes to an older appearance.
Face lifts and neck lifts are most effective for patients who want to correct:
- Midface sagging or sagging areas of fat
- Deep creases under the eyes
- Deep creases between the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds)
- Bigger jowls due to loss of muscle tone
- Loose skin and fat under your chin and jaw
Our approach to face lifts / neck lifts
During your initial face lift or neck lift consultation with Dr. Fazilat, he will discuss the options and alternatives in great detail, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about a face lift or neck lift (rhytidectomy) procedure. The site of the incisions will also be discussed prior to your surgery; incisions are typically made in inconspicuous places such as behind the hairline and in the natural folds of the face and ears.
Once you have booked your face lift or neck lift surgery, Dr. Fazilat’s office will coordinate the location and time of your face lift or neck lift surgery. You will receive a pre-operative appointment, which is typically two weeks before your surgery. During this appointment, you will be given instructions for your surgery, as well as any medical request forms for necessary blood work or related medical tests. Dr. Fazilat will also take any pre-operative photos and review your planned procedure(s), so you can ask any final questions. Our office will contact you by phone or by email to review your instructions and your health history.
The SF | Bay Area Plastic Surgery difference
Face lift or neck lift surgery is a common procedure that Dr. Fazilat performs in his practice. Typically, operations are performed as an out-patient procedure under general or local anesthesia with a certified anesthesiologist; surgical times are 3 to 4 hours.
During the surgery, Dr. Fazilat will remove and smooth the excess fat and loose skin on your face and neck, tighten the underlying muscles, and then lift and re-drape the skin to reduce the most apparent signs of aging. These include creases beside the nose and mouth, a slacking jaw line, sagging jowls, and fat deposits around the neck. Drainage tubes may be placed at the incision site to collect excess blood or fluid for 1 to 2 days after surgery.
Some of Dr. Fazilat’s patients also have their face lift or neck lift surgery combined with other procedures, such as chin liposuction, a brow lift / forehead lift, or eyelid surgery to enhance your youthful appearance further.
Recovering from a face lift / neck lift at SF | Bay Area Plastic Surgery
After a face lift or neck lift, patients are encouraged to walk the evening of the surgery to prevent possible blood clots. Any drainage tubes will be taken out the next day, and your hair will be carefully washed. If surgical clips were used to hold the incisions closed, they would be removed one week after the face lift or neck lift along with your stitches.
Face lift or neck lift patients can typically return to work within 2 to 3 days. The majority of swelling and bruising will dissipate by the end of the first week, though strenuous activity should be avoided for 1 week. Patients should also have an adult stay with them for 24 hours following the surgery to monitor their recovery. Also, scars from face lift or neck lift incisions begin to fade in a few months, but camouflage cosmetics can be used to minimize the effects of bruising.
Dr. Fazilat will schedule a follow-up post-recovery office visit in Mountain View or Morgan Hill, CA to discuss your progress.
BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS
Request your consultation
We invite you to schedule your cosmetic consultation with SF | Bay Area Plastic Surgery today; we’d love to be a part of your journey to a more youthful you. To learn more about face lift or neck lift (rhytidectomy) surgery, please call us today at 650.964.2200 or complete this form on our website to request an initial consultation in Morgan Hill or Mountain View, California.
