Will I save money by having a facelift now?
You may be asking the wrong question. There are certainly advantages to a well-timed facelift for the right candidate; and resolving concerns today can act as a preventative buffer for issues in the future or an escalation of your current concern. But framing the timing of a facelift — or any cosmetic procedure, for that matter — as a matter of saving money or finding a “good deal” will set you up for disappointment.
The bottom line is: yes, correcting problems from onset is usually a good idea and can prevent or delay future issues, but quality cosmetic surgery does cost money. If you simply seek out the surgeon willing to give you a facelift at the lowest price possible, you are probably going to be disappointed.
Preventative Measures
When most people think of cosmetic procedures, they think in terms of correcting problems and flaws they already perceive, which may be causing them trouble in personal or professional relationships, or diminished confidence. But another way to look at facial treatments such as a facelift is to consider how an early correction of issues such as facial lines and sagging cheeks can prevent them from turning into a larger and larger issue down the line. A facelift or any other facial cosmetic surgery cannot reverse or cease the effects of aging, but it can slow down the signs with results that are long-lasting.
If you consider how often you smile, frown, furrow your eyebrows, go out into the sun, or look in the mirror and notice that your features seem to be drooping more and more as the years go by — essentially countless times every day — it makes sense that these repeated stressors will show their effects more with time. If you are already a candidate for a facelift, delaying treatment will only reveal that your concerns gradually worsen. This is a normal part of aging but not one we are stuck with.
A candidate for a facelift is usually somebody who presents with a neck cord, a band of skin and muscle under the chin. If you are showing the early signs of aging but do not yet have this neck cord, your facial concerns can typically be addressed with a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that does not involve surgery. This may be BOTOX, a facial filler, or other means of facial rejuvenation. It truly depends on the unique nature of your experience and anatomy. Just as it’s important to know when a facelift is indicated, it’s equally important to know when a nonsurgical approach will help. Either way, an early consultation with an expert can save you years of worry and concern as you decide whether to get a facelift today, ten years from now, or never at all. A qualified surgeon can help you make these decisions.
A Bargain Isn’t the Best Deal
When you are ready to commit to aesthetic facial improvements by means of cosmetic surgery, this comes with putting value in the leading treatment providers and specialized, experienced surgeons. Great results can be affordable and reasonable, and most top surgeons offer payment options from which you may choose; but you will need to be willing to invest in your facelift if you want the best results.
For the Best Care…
Choose a surgeon with specialization and fellowship training in facial cosmetic surgery, with an emphasis on minimally invasive methods. It is essential to have surgery that is specifically tailored for your face. This means that your doctor will see you as an individual, provide you with an individualized consultation and physical examination, then personally design a program of care that is catered to you. Your doctor should value a natural look, with minimally invasive techniques and quick recovery. Especially important is the experience level, reputation, and specialized training of your doctor. Please note that many great general plastic surgeons do not have the level of training and qualifications required to perfect the details of a facelift and other procedures for which an understanding of how to create facial balance is an absolute must.
We invite you to consult with Dr. Steinsapir, a leading oculofacial cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills and at UCLA . He is broadly trained and offers unique personal service including tailored facelifts. He is an leader in minimally invasive procedures and offers surgery both at his office surgery center and the UCLA Medical Center. At an individual consultation, Dr. Steinsapir can help you determine which treatment is right for you at the right time.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
What should I expect with my facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery is the most powerful of facial cosmetic surgeries you can undergo. Although we say it in practically every blog entry, in this instance it is more true than ever; choose a doctor who is experienced, up-to-date on the latest techniques, and skilled at performing facelifts. The procedure for facelift has changed significantly in recent years. What is clear is that there is not added benefit for the higher risk, deep plane facelift.
When it comes to choosing the best facelift for you, there is no right answer as to which method is the most effective, natural looking, or successful. A customized treatment plan, established by you and your doctor and based on your features and desires will significantly influence the outcome of your procedure. A facelift will always be a procedure of intelligent choices.
Where is surgery commonly performed and what type of anesthesia?
Typically facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure, but overnight stays may be recommended after deep sedation or general anesthesia. For certain individuals, your doctor can perform your facelift in the office, while you are awake and under local anesthesia. But for most, general anesthesia or deep sedation is the best choice. For cases requiring deep sedation and general anesthesia, Dr. Steinsapir performs surgery at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center and usually recommends an overnight stay at the surgery center.
Recovery and physical restrictions
A facelift takes approximately four hours. Usually there is minimal discomfort afterward; managed with either over-the-counter or prescription pain medications. You may experience moderate swelling around the eyelids and other areas of the face, but this is normal and is not cause for concern. Most find taking 7-10 days off from work about right. This time frame can depend on the precise nature of you work.
Common complications after surgery
Facelift surgeries performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon rarely have complications. The deep plane facelift mobilizes the tissue under the facial muscles and can injure these motor nerves causing facial weakness. The incidence is small but not zero. The risk amounts to only a very small percentage of individuals who receive this treatment experiencing this complication, but there is just no reason to risk this nerve damage when other methods of facelifts are available. In fact, there is essentially no cosmetic benefit to the deep plane facelift compared to other lifting methods. Other complications can include significant bruising and very rarely infection.
The time frame before full recovery
Recovery periods for facelift procedures vary greatly depending on the type of facelift surgery your physician and you decide on. Typically however, you can expect to return to work after 6 to 10 days. After 2-3 weeks, others are unlikely to detect that you just had surgery. Facelifts are not considered fully healed until about 6 months after. Once you have recovered fully, the results of surgery are very long term.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is on active staff at the UCLA Hospital and Medical Center at the David Geffen School of Medicine as an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmology in the Division of Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. UCLA is consistently rated the best hospital in the West and ranked at the top with a handful of medical centers in the United States. Many surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis at the Surgery Center at the UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Steinsapir addresses a broad array of oculofacial reconstructive concerns. Contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Steinsapir.
Droopy Eyes after a Midface Lift
Complications following a midface lift are especially disconcerting because they can affect the basic functions of your eyes. Whether your eyes begin to droop, tear, or fail to blink, any change in the way your eyes and face function is reason enough to contact your doctor. But sometimes, surgeons panic in these situations and respond with a fix-it mentality and may be encouraging you to undergo corrective surgery immediately. Your surgeon may just want to take care of the problem as quickly as possible and as a result, you may be receiving mixed messages from your physician about the best course of action. However, immediately following your facelift may not actually be the right time to fix the problem.
Undergo a consultation
Before taking any action to correct your midface lift complications, carefully weigh your confidence in your current surgeon. There is no substitute for an in-depth personal consultation because discussing your problem with your doctor over the phone doesn’t allow him or her to see and fully understand the physical issues. Occasionally, the description of what is going on and the actual physical complications are not the same.
If you are not 100 percent confident in your surgeon and are casting about for opinions from strangers, listen to your feelings. Do not blindly follow the recommendations your original surgeon or any surgeon if their recommendations do not make sense to you. While you may not like your appearance and may be experiencing profound disappointment, these issues are seldom a medical emergency. Don’t commit to a second surgery unless you have a clear understanding of the following:
- what is going on and why these complications are occurring,
- what type of surgery your doctor has planned,
- why a surgical solution is necessary at this time,
- the risks of a second surgery, and
- the probability of success or failure.
The risks of midface and lower eyelid surgery and corrective surgery
Lower eyelid surgery and midface surgery have significant risks associated with them. Your surgeon may not fully understand these risks. If you’re experiencing complications it does not mean that your surgeon did anything below the standard of care. However, how your surgeon addresses the problem can make a profound difference and he or she should not rush the process.
The anatomy described in some of the most important and most recent papers in the field of lower eyelid and midface surgery done through a skin incision under the lower eyelashes (infracillary incision) is inaccurate. Dr. Steinsapir recently reviewed the literature on this subject and presented it before the Fall 2010 American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Scientific Symposium. Some of the core papers describe anatomic hypotheses rather than proven anatomic fact. For example, the soft tissue of the cheek is mobile (i.e. it slides when we smile), and the lower cheek is also mobile over the lower half of the face. In this location, the nerves responsible for facial expressions around the mouth travel in such a way that it is possible to safely dissect this plane in the lateral half of the lower face; this is a key aspect to the so-called deep plane facelift.
Similarly, surgeons dissect under the skin and lower eyelid muscle to perform midface lifts. Published papers appear to support the hypothesis that this midface lift technique can be performed without injuring the nerves that feed the eyelids. Unfortunately, a hypothesis is a scientific guess, it does not make an established anatomic fact. There is also clear evidence in published papers suggesting that the nerves that supply the lower eyelid orbicularis oculi muscle travel in this so-called glide plane, which is actually just somewhat mobile fat and loose connective tissue between the cheek bone and the orbicularis oculi muscle.
So why do doctor’s still perform this kind of surgery despite the risks? Despite the inaccurate papers, it is possible to dissect in this plane without significantly altering the nerve supply to the orbicularis oculi muscle in some individuals. Yet others may not do well. This may have to do with how aggressive the surgeon is and the exact nature of the distribution of these motor nerves, which do vary somewhat from person to person. Additionally, when this dissection is carried out laterally into the crowsfeet area, it is also possible to do significant damage to the nerves that provide innervation to the orbicularis oculi muscle in the upper eyelid as well. This is significant because the elements of the orbicularis oculi muscle near the lower eyelid margin are responsible for blinking the eye closed. Without this critical blink function, tears are not moved across the corneal surface properly resulting in dry eye and tearing issues. When the lower eyelid slumps, it does not properly cover the lower portion of the eye and there is increased corneal drying.
The remedy for midface and lower eyelid surgery complications
To address eyelid complications from a midface lift or lower lid surgery, the best answer is to avoid further eyelid tightening and allow the tissues to heal. In six months or more come back and address the situation with your surgeon if problems persist. By preserving as much of the lower eyelid and not cutting out tissue―as would be the case if your doctor were to try to fix the problems immediately following your initial surgery using a technique called canthoplasty―there are many more options and increased likelihood of an improved outcome if you allow the tissue to heal. While in the healing process, keep lines of communication open with your surgeon or look for oculoplastic surgeons for consultation who have as a focus of their practice the repair of unsatisfactory cosmetic eyelid surgery. Be skeptical of solutions that must be done “urgently” or don’t make sense. While very few of these complications mend themselves, with time it may improve so that less work may be needed than first thought.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX and has performed thousands of BOTOX treatments in Los Angeles since 1988 and recently patented his Microdroplet BOTOX technique. He is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Southern California where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Facial Sculpting with Microcurrent
Microcurrent facial sculpting is a rising trend, but buyer beware the cosmetic surgery fads. Like lasers, the term “microcurrent” sounds sexy and high-tech. But the reality of microcurrents is that they are a lot of hype and very little science. The use of microcurrent devices is essentially unregulated. FDA clearance of these devices is very simple for the manufacturers because the amount of current used is so small. The marketing for microcurrents would have you believe that by stimulating your facial muscles, your face becomes more toned and appears lifted and more youthful. There is no evidence that this is true.
The Truth About Microcurrents
Quacks have been touting the value of electrical current for healing for about as long as man has controlled electricity. Obviously, high voltage, high amperage devices are dangerous. What we are talking about here is very low levels of electrical current. Remember the adage that every good lie begins with a grain of truth. It is easy to understand that if you lift weights consistently enough, the muscles become toned. Proponents of microcurrent devices make the argument that the electricity of these devices will stimulate and tone the facial muscles and this will tone and improve the face, getting rid of wrinkles at the same time. Sounds great. The only problem is that there is not a single scientific study that supports this idea. We call this “phony science.” Microcurrents cannot, and will not lift and reposition the facial tissues. Even the claims of mild improvement are unproven. The harm here is that you are wasting your time and money and being deceived in the process.
Why all the Hype?
The hype surrounding microcurrent facial sculpting machines with unrealistic before and after pictures are equally misleading. Typically these before and after pictures show a loose neck and jowls next to a youthful and sculpted jawline and neck. These pictures could show the same person, but it is unlikely the differences were the result of microcurrent facial sculpting. The smooth, wrinkle-free neck is most likely the result of a little Photoshop magic and lighting, not microcurrent. These treatments offer empty promises. The treatment does not compare to a facelift or nonsurgical facial fillers.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Stem Cell Facelift vs. Fat Transfers
It is said that every good lie contains a grain of truth. The truth about so-called Stem Cell Facelifts is that fat harvested from your body does contain small numbers of adult stem cells. Taking that fat and transferring it to your face as a fat transfer does place these adult stem cells into the face. However, the promise of the name: Stem Cell Facelift is a lie. The implication is that these stem cells in some way rejuvenate the face. Like fad dieting and get rich quick schemes, the public can’t get enough of this type of hype. You would think at some point people would have learned that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. You would be wrong. Enterprising cosmetic surgeons have learned this lesson as well. So we are bombarded with new procedures with enticing names that seem so scientific. It would be great if the Stem Cell Facelift was based on science rather than science fiction. Do so-called Stem Cell Facelifts provide facial rejuvenation? Yes, but not because of the adult stem cells in the fat. This is just a new way for cosmetic surgeons to insult your intelligence.
The Real Benefits of fat grafting
The reality is, there is no evidence to suggest that stem cells present in adult fat placed in the face have any impact or role in the effects of volumizing the face with grafted fat. Fat grafting procedures work because about 60 to 70 percent of the transferred fat survives, creating long-lasting volume and this helps improve the appearance of the face because loss of volume over time is an important factor in making one look older as we age.
Fat grafting is a biologically safe procedure because the fat transferred is from your body. It is precisely delivered through a tiny poke in the skin that heals without scarring and the procedure can be done under local anesthesia. The fat transfer in a “stem cell facelift” may be combined with other procedures like a traditional facelift or midface lift. It is more accurate to refer to a “stem cell facelift” as “facial volumizing with grafted fat.”
Fact and fiction
It is true that the stem cells in your body fat can be separated from the fat and, in a test tube at a research lab, be stimulated to develop into other cell types. There is a lot of impressive research being done in this area so we can learn more about important potential medical uses of stem cells. But there is no evidence to support the idea that the stem cells in the grafted fat are stimulated this way when transplanted from one part of your body to another
Finding a doctor who relies on science
The biggest concern with the “stem cell facelift” is not that it’s a bad or unsafe procedure, but rather that the term “stem cell” is a deceptive name that promises something that it does not deliver. When seeking treatment, make sure that your potential cosmetic surgeon relies on science, experience, and skill rather than catchy marketing phrases. Your doctor should be a specialist in facial cosmetic procedures and completely honest about what a treatment does and does not do. Relying on the honest application of skills, proven methods, and experience will help you achieve your goals. Deceptive marketing practices violate the principles that make a good working relationship between the surgeon and the patients, which must be based on well-placed trust and honesty.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is an expert cosmetic plastic surgeon who has skillfully handled face lift and fat grafting procedures in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills for over 20 years. He is a board certified ophthalmologist surgeon and fellowship trained in oculofacial surgery and cosmetic surgery in Southern California where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert cosmetic surgery provider.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Should I get a Deep Plane Facelift?
There are so many different types of facelifts that you may be confused as to which might be the most appropriate treatment for your particular needs. A great facelift is not characterized by type, but by customization. The best way to get disappointing results is by looking for a cookie-cutter procedure. A skilled surgeon can produce amazing results with almost any method if he or she customizes the procedure to your individual circumstances.
The Risks of Deep Plane Facelifts
The deep plane facelift carries with it a risk of facial nerve injury even in the best of hands. This is because the nerves are exposed during the process of dissection. It is not possible to have a great facelift result if part of your face does not move correctly after surgery due to a facial nerve injury. This small risk might be justifiable if the deep plane facelift led to a much better result or a more long lasting procedure. The reality is, after six months it is impossible for experts to tell what technique was used in a particular facelift. So it makes no sense to perform high-risk maneuvers under the facial flaps.
Most any type of facelift can procure excellent results if customized by an experienced facial cosmetic surgeon. The deep plane facelift can be as effective as other methods, but it’s a riskier procedure and the benefits usually aren’t worth the risk when there are other options available. With the deep plane facelift, there is an increased chance of injury to a facial nerve that can even happen in the best of hands. The chance of these facelift complications are small but if it happens to you, the damages could be irreparable; some of your facial muscles will cease to work properly. Since properly functioning facial muscles are essential to your appearance, your results will not be good. Since there is no clear advantage to the deep plane facelift, why take the risk, even if it’s small? If you are set on receiving this method, you will probably find someone who will perform it for you if you knock on enough doors and have enough money, but may end up regretting your inflexibility.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) and fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert provider of BOTOX, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan
Avoiding a Facial Nerve Injury from a Facelift
You feel you could benefit from facial improvement. You’ve done some research. You believe that a facelift with a top cosmetic surgeon may be the answer that will help you most. But you’ve also heard that possible facelift complications include facial nerve injury, so how should you proceed? The best thing you can do is find an experienced and specialized surgeon in whom you feel confident. Your cosmetic surgeon who makes facelifts a major focus of his or her practice while emphasizing customized procedures that are specifically tailored for natural results can help you find the safest treatment option for your best personal results.
How can I avoid facelift side effects?
Most people who get facelifts are very happy with their results, especially those who seek a facelift from one of the top facelift surgeons like Dr. Steinsapir. It’s important to understand that there’s always some risk with undergoing surgery, but the good news is that facelifts arer very safe and certain choices increase that safety without compromising your aesthetic outcome.
That said, there are many different kinds of facelifts, and the safest facelift is one individually tailored to meet your needs. The tend is more smaller incision facelifts and cosmetic facial treatment that affords many benefits: natural-looking results, faster healing time, and fewer complications. Dr. Steinsapir recommends that you seek a customized treatment from a top surgeon who understands how to minimize your already-low risk of facial nerve damage. For many patients this generally means that the deep plane facelift is not the right choice.
What is the deep plane facelift?
The deep plane facelift works on both the skin layer and the deeper muscle and fascia layer of your tissue. Both these layers are lifted and tightened, but the problem is that this technique is associated with facial nerve injuries. The risk amounts to only a very small percentage of individuals who receive this treatment experiencing this complication, but there is just no reason to risk this nerve damage when we compare this method to other kinds of facelifts, which work just as well. In fact, there is essentially no cosmetic benefit to the deep plane facelift, so why expose these nerves to the elevated risk? At the end of the day, your facelift can’t be great if nerve damage inhibits your face’s natural movement.
Cookie Cutter Facelifts
You may be aware of heavily marketed facelifts and wondered if these surgeries are right for you. Generally this procedures are small incision facelifts with a proprietary names. It is important to understand that one type of surgery is used to meet the needs of every patient, the result is a surgery that may not be right for everyone. A skilled facelift surgeon will adapt surgical techniques to obtain a result that is best for your face. When this type of customization is not performed, the result can be a disappointing compromise.
Finding the Right Facelift Surgeon
Rather than telling potential cosmetic surgeons how you want your facelift to be performed, try to find a respected expert in facelift surgery who makes sense to you, and ask him or her what they feel the best individual approach is in your situation. Perhaps you’ll be surprised to learn that a procedure like the midface lift, forehead lift, or lower face/neck liposuction makes more sense for you. Or perhaps you are correct in guessing that a facelift is the right choice; in this case, ask your doctor about their treatment philosophy and how he or she can design a facelift that yields the results you need.
Consider how Dr. Steinsapir can help you with his prestigious background at UCLA, The University of Chicago, multiple fellowships, research publications, leadership positions, and esteemed practice serving Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. Dr. Steinsapir is a board-certified surgeon with multi-fellowship training who makes customized facelift surgery a focus of his practice. Please contact us today to learn more about how Dr. Steinsapir can help you attain your aesthetic goals and improve your confidence.
