Facelift

Conveniently located to serve Newport Beach

faceliftFacelift

As we age, characteristic changes occur in the face. The three fat pads which run along the nasolabial fold, the corner of the mouth and the jowl maintain their volume but the four fat pads in the midface, cheekbone and below lose their volume. The skin which has lost its elasticity does not tighten as the volume is lost. This is why the face appears to fall forward and down. It is the areas of volume loss adjacent to areas of fullness which creates the typical appearance of the aging face. Fillers can help in the initial stages but once there is a break in the jawline and lax skin in the neck ,it’s time for facial rejuvenation.

Facelift Surgery

The facelift is designed to restore the facial structures to their original position and remove the excess skin which has lost its elasticity with age. Many patients look and feel 10 years younger with a SMAS facelift. The natural unbroken curves of youth are restored. In some individuals repositioning the facial structures is not the entire solution to rejuvenation, they may require addition of volume in the form of fat grafting which can be done at the time of the facelift. Concerns about facial movement after the surgery are always discussed but these are rare.

Maintaining the patient’s unique appearance is where the art of facial rejuvenation comes in. Too many alterations and the facelift will not look natural. A skilled surgeon with an aesthetic eye and gentle hand will be able to achieve the desired youthful appearance.

How Can You Prepare for Your Facelift Procedure?

Before you get your facelift done, you will have a consultation with Dr. Kessler and he will take you through everything you need to know about the procedure. You will need to give your full medical history so that the right evaluation can be made and Dr. Kessler will perform an examination of your facial features to determine the extent of change required.

During this time, you can also discuss your expectations from the facelift and clarify any doubts that you may have about the surgical process. Dr. Kessler will provide you with a list of instructions that you must adhere to in order to achieve the best results, These instructions will require you to stop taking certain medications, smoking, and drinking for a couple of weeks before the procedure and after it is completed.

Video: When Is The Right Age To Get A Facelift?

Facelift can be combined with a number of other cosmetic procedures to enhance the results. Areas of the face that have lost volume can be contoured with fat transfer by taking fat cells from another location of the patient’s body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or knees. A browlift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is also commonly combined with a facelift to rejuvenate the upper region of the face.

The Facelift Procedure

Incisions for the facelift are inconspicuously made starting at the temples and extending in front of and behind the ear camouflaged within the natural folds. They may also continue hidden in the hairline. The scars remain difficult to notice after surgery and fade over time. Additional incisions may be made in other locations, if other procedures are being done such as within the lower eyelid. After tissue has been repositioned and skin has been re-draped and trimmed, the incisions are closed with sutures.

Combining Your Facelift With Facial Fat Grafting

In addition to a brow lift and blepharoplasty, a facelift is also commonly performed along with a fat grafting procedure. Dr. Kessler commonly uses this technique at the end of most facelifts to add volume to one’s facial features and get rid of the saggy appearance that develops as the skin loosens. Using this method, Dr. Kessler will collect small amounts of fat from the patient from regions like the abdomen or thighs and transfer this fat to strategic areas of the face. This procedure has seen wider adoption more recently and is used to see better results from a facelift. Fat has the advantage of being a long term solution to temporary fillers. Results look natural and last for a long time.

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Your Facelift will be performed in Dr. Robert Kessler's surgery center located in Corona Del Mar.

 

Post-surgery Recovery

If a drainage tube is inserted during surgery, it may be removed after 1 to 2 days. Sutures may be removed within 5 to 10 days. Medication will be prescribed for pain management, though the discomfort following a facelift is typically minimal. Swelling and bruising should be expected. Keeping the head elevated can help to limit the swelling that will occur. Many patients resume work and most normal activity within 10 to 14 days, though some degree of swelling may still be present in some cases closer to three weeks.

A facelift is long lasting, but not permanent. Many patients elect to undergo a second facelift after approximately 10 years to maintain their youthful look into the later years of life.

neck lift
mini facelift

Before & After Gallery

View before-and-after pictures of real patients of Kessler Plastic Surgery

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  • 01 What is a Facelift?

    A Facelift, also known as a Rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance by eliminating the lax skin, heavy jowls, and sagging neck tissue that come with age.

  • 02 How is a Facelift performed?

    Dr. Kessler will begin the Facelift procedure by making a thin incision at the hairline, immediately above the temples. This will extend within the contour of the ear ending in the hairline behind the ears. From here, Dr. Kessler will lift and reshape the tissues of the face, providing a more youthful appearance.

  • 03 Who is a good candidate for a Facelift?

    The ideal candidate for a Facelift will be a man or woman, in generally good health, frustrated by the loss of skin elasticity that occurs with aging. Patients looking to undergo a facelift should first schedule a consultation with Dr. Kessler to find out if they would make a good candidate. Dr. Kessler will perform an initial examination of your facial skin and ask you about your medical history to determine if the facelift is right for you.

    Ideal candidates are those who have:

    • Sagging cheeks and excess skin in the facial region
    • Deepened folds from the sides of your nose to your mouth corners
    • Excess skin in the lower jawline region
    • Realistic expectations from the procedure
    • Optimistic about the change that the facelift procedure can bring about

    Those who suffer from chronic illness may not be the best candidates for such a procedure.

  • 04 Where is the Facelift procedure performed?

    Dr. Kessler performs surgery at a nearby accredited outpatient Surgery Center, or at a local accredited hospital. To increase a patient’s comfort level, an overnight stay is recommended for the more invasive Facelift procedures.

  • 05 What type of anesthesia is used during a Facelift?

    The Facelift procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

  • 06 How long does a Facelift take?

    Depending on the type of Facelift, and extent of correction, the procedure will take between four and six hours to complete.

  • 07 What can I expect from the Facelift recovery?

    Patients should expect the recovery after a Facelift to take about two weeks. Initially, swelling and bruising will occur, although most of this will diminish over one to two weeks. Temporary numbness may be noticeable, as well. Minor discomfort may be experienced at first, but Dr. Kessler will prescribe appropriate pain medications to keep patients resting comfortably at home. If drain tubes are used, these will be removed after the first few days. On the fifth to tenth day after a Facelift, Dr. Kessler will remove a patient’s stitches. At this visit, he will also evaluate the healing process.

  • 08 When can I return to work after a Facelift?

    Generally, patients feel and look well enough to return to work 10-14 days after their Rhytidectomy procedure. Strenuous activities should be postponed for the first four to six weeks.

  • 09 Will there be scarring after my Facelift procedure?

    The Facelift procedure does result in visible scarring. These will be well concealed within the natural hairline, though, thus making the scars almost unnoticeable.

  • 10 What are the risks associated with a Facelift?

    Modern Facelift techniques used at Kessler Cosmetic Surgery make the procedure safe and efficient. Since it is a surgical procedure, there are still risks involved. These can include excessive bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, and nerve injury.

  • 11 Can I finance my Facelift?

    Patients have the option to pay with cash, all major credit cards, or with medical financing through CareCredit. At your consultation with Dr. Kessler, the exact cost of your Facelift procedure will be discussed, as well as all available payment options.

Patient Testimonial

Dr. Kessler is phenomenal! He is a magician! My mom just had a lower facelift 15 days ago and she looked amazing just like my sister! He is very trust worthy. And he really took his time to answer all the questions also clearly explained the procedure and recovery. His staffs are very helpful and friendly! We highly recommend him!

By I.G.

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Artistry and Caring for a Masterpiece Called You

Our Truth in Beauty Promise
We will ALWAYS make recommendations for you that deeply consider your unique goals in context of your nutrition, lifestyle, face and body type.

We will NEVER knowingly recommend a procedure that could compromise your health, appearance or well-being.
Alex D. San Antonio,TX
Dr. Kessler is not only one of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever met, he is also one of the finest highly skilled physicians around. He truly does care about every patient’s goals and will do whatever he can to help achieve those goals. I had a face/neck lift and...
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Debbie S., Cenby, OR, USA
As both a patient and a professional, Dr. Kessler is the best surgeon I have ever had the pleasure of being treated by, he has amazing surgical skill, takes all the time in the world with you during your care and has the highest standard for his work I have seen for many years. I have...
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Stephen P., Beverly Hills, CA, USA
I am so happy. I am so glad I came to Newport Beach in search of Dr Kessler. You have all made me feel just so ‘relaxed & confident’ in all aspects of this ‘thing’. Dr Kessler is a wonderful person, who is ethical, informative, sincere and a surgical ‘artist’. As I...
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Alejandra B., Mission Viejo, CA,, USA
It has been 6 months since the date of my surgery and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. As you may recall, my previous breast implants became encapsulated resulting in hard, tender and poorly shaped breasts. I was ashamed of how they looked. When my husband and I met with...
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Markee F., Irvine, Ca,USA
Dr. Kessler is definitely a “Best in Class” surgeon. His enthusiasm and love for what he does is evident the first time you meet him. The compassion and care that he gives his patients is beyond measure.He took the time to not only explain the surgery procedure and potential problems...
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Lee W., Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
Dr. Kessler is the most caring doctor I have ever met. The minute he walked into the examination room for my initial consult I liked him and it continues EVERY time I see him. I had a lower body lift and my arms done. I am so happy with his work. He is a perfectionist and it shows....
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Glory E., Dayton, OH, USA
My experience with Dr Rob Kessler was extremely pleasant and has changed my life in the most positive ways. He has performed numeous surgeries on me after I had lost weight with having a gastric stomach bypass. He has perfomed the following surgeries on me: A breast lift, lower body...
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Stephen P., Beverly Hills, CA, USA
Incredible results. Surgical center was great–lots of special care, made you feel very special, spent the night with one to one nursing care with an ICU nurse. Nurse anesthetist was great. VERY postive experience.
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