Mountain View Facelift doctors

It is important that you identify with surgeon and the types of patients you are seeing in the photo.  In general, you want to see if the patient looks natural.  Do you like the jaw line?  Do you like the way the corner of the mouth changed position, if at all?  Many photos will look great in the post op.  The patients have makeup on. . .their hair is done. . .they're smiling. . .etc.  The real test of natural results is how do they look in the photo if the hair and makeup is unchanged.  Also, if you notice that the skin quality is better or the chin is stronger, the patient may have has laser resurfacing and and chin implant.  Ask your surgeon was anything else done to enhance the patient in this example you're showing me.  Most facelifts are benefited by some laser resurfacing, chin implants, or volumization with fat transfer or other fillers.  Ask for the complete treatment regiment. 

Best of luck

Chase Lay, MD

When will I recover from a face lift?  Facelift recovery is not a grueling process but it will take 2 to 3 weeks.  Your final suture is removed 7 to 9 days after surgery, depending on the surgeon and technique used.  There are a few things to know:

1.  You're best served by allowing yourself a minimum of 2 weeks before being around other if you don't want them to notice something has been done.  Even the most natural facelift shows a little residual swelling at two weeks.  If you were your hair short or always back, give yourself 3 weeks.  I'd advise against "squeezing in" a facelift.

2.  Bruising can occur and typically lasts about 7 days and gradually moves down the neck from gravity.  Taking Arnica Montana just before and after the surgery can help with this.

3.  Noticeable swelling really only lasts about 10 days.  After that there is still some subtle fullness.  In a thinner-faced person this often looks quite nice and natural.  The facelift will continue to mature there after and you'll be looking very much like yourself, but improved, going into that third week.

4.  Numbness of the skin in front of the ear is expected.  This will resolve over several weeks time.  This is not a danger to you but it does surprise patients if they're not informed.  Numbness of the ear can also happen, but resolves. with time.

5.  Slight firmness in areas where the surgeon placed the supporting sutures under the skin will be palpable during the 2nd or 3rd week after surgery.  This is usually not visible.  It will continue to go down as the collagen matures in the new wound bed.

6.  There is not much pain involved during recovery.  Ice and tylenol is usually plenty for mild discomfort.

Best of luck.  Hope this was helpful.

Chase Lay, MD

First of, there are a lot of trade marked names for facelifts.  These are simply marketing angles some surgeons use to help themselves stand out from the crowd but they are all variations of a facelift that any experienced facial plastic surgeon can provide.  It just depends on what you as an individual needs and that will dictate your treatment and costs.  QUICK NOTE; when you have something performed under general anesthesia your costs go up from anesthesia and surgery center fees (usually another $3k to $5k).  Okay, on the the cost breakdown.  This is very general, but facelifts can be categorized as "mini," "full,"  "full-face & neck."  Some of these will address the neck, some won't.  Here's a ball park for what most people need:

Relatively young, mild laxity jowling, neck is okay:  "mini-face neck lift"  This can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $12,000.  

A little older, moderate laxity and jowling, neck needs more work:  "full-face & neck lift"  This, again should cost around $10,000.  

Much older, severe laxity and jowling, loose neck needs more work:  "full-face & neck lift"  Starts at around $10,000 and can be up to $20,000.

When practical, doing these procedures under local anesthesia or with moderate sedation reduces your cost by a few thousand dollars and reduces your overall health risks.  

Truthfully, your surgeon will do what needs to be done in your case.  We have categories of facelifts but it's really a spectrum.  When I'm doing a "mini" on someone for say $7,000, I still address the neck or whatever area needs improvement during the surgery even though I'm doing a "mini" because that's what the patient needs.  

Hope that helps

Chase Lay, MD