: Before & After Photos

Facelifts (rhytidectomy) have been around for over 100 years, but the procedure has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Correcting fine lines, sagging skin, and excess fat due to aging has been a priority for thousands of years, and believe it or not, some of the treatments, such as fruit acid peels, have been around since Egyptian times. These days, however, facial plastic surgery techniques have improved tremendously. You can now have a younger, fresher-looking, natural appearance with long-lasting results from a simple, safe procedure. As we get older, many of us look in the mirror and wonder: Is it time for a facelift?

How old should I be for a facelift?

Time is cruel to our skin. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity– causing wrinkles, stretched sagging skin, deep folds, and excess fat below the chin. Because we all age differently, there is no exact rule of thumb when it comes to how old you should be before getting a facelift. On average, most of the patients I see who are good candidates for a facelift are in their 50’s, but I’ve performed facelifts on patients as young as 38 and as old as 82. Lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, drinking, or sun-exposure can accelerate aging and make someone a candidate at a younger age. To determine if a facelift is right for you, a consultation from an experienced cosmetic surgeon, such as myself, is essential.

What are your priorities?

In my practice, priority number one is safety, number two is looking natural, and number three, fulfilling your desires. What you as a patient want is very important, but in my practice, it won’t trump safety and looking natural.  I pride myself on providing you with a comprehensive consultation and realistic assessment of what goals can be obtained, often using computer imaging to provide before and after results for evaluation.

What results can I expect?

During your facelift procedure, sagging skin and muscle tissue is repositioned to correct problem areas. Excess skin from time and gravity may also be removed. Some things that may be corrected include; cheek and jaw definition, tightening and toning of the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improved facial contours, and removal of fat deposited on the lower jaw and neck. Volume loss in the face is also common, and this can be corrected with fat transfer or use of fillers such as Restylane(TM) or Juvederm(TM), either during or after surgery.  All in all, you’ll look younger and less ‘tired’ after your procedure. Maintaining a healthy skincare regime, along with proper diet and exercise can leave you with longer-lasting results from your surgery.

It’s that time of year again. Active men and women are making the most of the season by suiting up and hitting the slopes (including me!). But many aren’t quite sure how much recovery time they’ll need post-procedure for complete recovery. Eyelid surgery is extremely popular, and winter is a good time for surgery. Recovery time is a common question. Most swelling, bruising, and pain are gone within one to two weeks but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re fully recovered. Physical activities can elevate blood pressure and prolong your healing time, and skiing also exposes patients to fairly severe environmental conditions – cold, drying wind, and high UV ray exposure from the sun.

When is Skiing an Option?

Although you may feel 100%, your body can take several months to completely heal from surgery. Protective eyewear may not fit properly during the initial healing process. Recovery time varies from patient-to-patient but most non-smokers are healed enough around week two to return to their normal workout regime. If you must participate in a sport that requires protective eyewear, go big. Large goggles that fit securely on your head without slipping and sliding are your best bet.

With the use of proper equipment, you can probably get away with more strenuous activities such as skiing in as little as two-weeks post-op. Remember to start off slow and listen to your body.

When Should I Stop Exercising?

Listen to me first, then once you’ve started exercising, listen to your body.  Excess straining of the eyes after eyelid surgery can cause bleeding and longer recovery time. Exercise can also elevate blood pressure which is typically a no-no post-surgery. Immediately stop physical activities such as skiing if bleeding, swelling, or blurry vision occurs.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding your post-surgery regime, don’t hesitate to call our offices at (415) 879-8735.  To schedule a consult to talk about your options, call us today. Consultations are available in both our San Francisco and Walnut Creek offices.  You may schedule for either location by calling (415) 879-8735.  Renee or Laurie will help you with the scheduling and answer any pre-consultation questions you may have!