Facelift
Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is the gold standard for "turning back the clock" on aging in the lower face and neck. An effective facelift will restore youthful contours to the cheek, jawline and neck while maintaining a natural appearance. Patients should look refreshed and not pulled or wind blown. Scars are hidden and minimized. It is important to explain that a facelift does not address the forehead, eyes or midface. These areas are commonly treated at the same time via combined procedures (blepharoplasty, fat transfer, browlift, etc.).
If you believe you look older than you feel, you may want to consider a facelift. A facelift, especially when done in conjunction with other rejuvenation procedures, can remove wrinkles and return your face to a more vibrant and toned appearance. Dr. Yoo is an expert in the deep plane extended facelift which is a vertical facelift that restores the soft tissue of the face and neck to their more youthful position. Every patient has unique anatomy and surgery is tailored to their individual needs.
Consultations are the best way to discuss your needs with Dr. Sirius K. Yoo, our double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon and facelift specialist. It is important to choose the best facelift surgeon. Please call (858) 381-4801 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yoo at our San Diego office.
Procedure
Facelift surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis. It is completed under sedation or general anesthesia depending on doctor and patient preference.
In a facelift, the incisions are hidden behind the hairline, placed within natural skin folds, shadow lines or behind the ears to minimize visible scarring. After the incisions are made, Dr. Yoo will remove excess fat, lift and tighten the supportive muscles in the face and neck. The face is generally lifted in a more vertical vector compared to the neck. This is accomplished by splitting the SMAS just below and parallel to the jaw line. Another benefit of this technique is that it allows the definition at the angle of the mandible to be preserved or even augmented if desired. Because every patient has different facial anatomy, the exact vector of the lift is determined based on the direction of pre-surgical laxity. Dr. Yoo will then re-drape the facial skin without tension, removing the excess. Modern facelifts do not pull on the skin. This technique allows for a more natural, comprehensive and long lasting result. After the extra skin is removed, the incisions are closed with sutures and a support dressing is applied.
Recovery
Swelling and bruising are normal after surgery. Bruising can be apparent up to two weeks and swelling gradually diminishes over time. Pain is minimal and is controlled with oral medications. Most patients are able to return to their usual routine within two weeks.
Mini-Facelift
Mini-Facelift surgery is a short scar face lift, which means that the incisions are smaller than a conventional face lift. Because the incisions are smaller, less skin can be removed without bunching. This procedure may be right for patients who don't have severe jowling and who maintain a relatively healthy weight. Mini-Facelift surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis and usually under general anesthesia.
MID-FACELIFT
Some patients come to us asking for a mid-facelift to elevate the cheeks to their more youthful (higher) position. Dr. Yoo recommends against this surgical technique because it has a high risk of changing the shape of the corner of the eyes. Dr. Yoo feels the best approach to address the mid-face is to add volume. This can be done through a fat transfer and/or fillers. The mid-face is also addressed to some degree by Dr. Yoo’s extended deep plane facelift surgical technique.
Necklift
Occasionally patients do not like the idea of having a full facelift and ask Dr. Yoo to perform a necklift or cervicoplasty without incisions around the ears. This surgery is designed to improve the neck line (and not the face or jowls). It is comfortably performed under local anesthesia with the patient awake.
NECK LIPOSUCTION
Neck liposuction is a cosmetic procedure to reduce the amount of fatty tissue in the neck and submental areas. This produces a more defined and sculpted jaw line from all angles. This is usually performed under local anesthesia sometimes with a little oral sedation. Neck liposuction can also be combined with subdermal laser skin tightening for maximal results (see laser-assisted liposuction for more information).
