Bakersfield Facelift doctors

Over the past few years I have seen several patients who underwent the lifestyle lift. Some of these had problems with infection and scar issues, but most looked OK initially. Some of the patients found that the surgery was very uncomfortable while awake under local anesthetic and would not have it done that way again.  I agree with Dr. Tholen, the results are significantly shorter than a real facelift. It seems to mainly be a skin operation, and skin will stretch back out in a matter of months. The incision for the Lifestyle Lift is about the same as a Real Facelift, so the only advantage is low cost under local anesthesia.  I have created a lower mini facelift in conjunction with a deep plane neck lift (Fisher mini jowl and neck lift) that shortens the incision on the face to just in front of the earlobe. This addresses the lower face jowls and sagging neck skin that most patients are most concerned about, sparing them the incisions of a regular mini or lifestyle facelift. There are just no shortcuts to getting good lasting results with the comfort and safety of general anesthesia from a Real Facelift, and that's why it costs about 4 times more.

As others have said, there is no minimal age. Many of my patients are fit and trim or have hade sudden weight loss from lap band surgery. As a result their facial skin may seem prematurely loose, especially in the pre-mandibular jowl area and under the chin. Every patient is different, but options usually performed in combination include liposuction, platysmaplasty and prejowl chin implantation. Over the past few years, I have devoloped a true mini-face jowl and neck lift with incisions starting by the earlobe, instead of the hairline of the temples. I put permanent sutures in the muscle fascial layer at the level of the jowls, suspending this tissue to alleviate jowling in the jaw area. For a dramatic jaw neck angle, stitches bringing the deep muscles under the chin together in the midline may be beneficial. Finally, experienced surgeons in areas that benefit from lower overhead located away from expensive urban medical offices can charge lower prices for excellent work.

Although one shouldn't generalize and each patient is unique, forty does sound too young for a facelift.  There are some patients that have medical conditions causing premature loss of skin elasticity that may be good candidates for a facelift even at age 40.  Patients who have spent significant amounts of time under the sun, may have premature facial aging that a facelift may benefit.  Therefore, there are exceptions.  You mentioned several things that I feel a facelift does not address completely.  A facelift will improve the marionette lines, sagging of the jowls, loose neck skin, and platysma banding. I feel a facelift will only slightly improve the deep nasolabial grooves.  A facelift will not improve hollowing or sunken eyes.  There are many techniques that can help patients who are in quite "old enough" for a facelift.  Autologous fat grafting (when performed) in experienced hands can help fill the deep nasolabial folds and/or marionette lines.  This will be a more long-term result then some of the fillers such as Juvaderm.  Skin resurfacing can help with some fine lines and overall tightening of the skin.  This can be accomplished with chemical peels (TCA, Phenol) or lasers (Erbium, CO2).  Use of botox around the eyes, brows, and perioral areas can help as well.  The use of botox around the lower lip depressors may help soften marionette lines.  You should speak to your plastic surgeon to see if any of the above mentioned methods would be appropriate for you.  Will these techniques stop you from ever needing a facelift?  No.  The aging process still goes on, but it may delay the need for a facelift to a later age.