Beverly Hills Face Lift and Neck Lift

As we age, gravity and repetitive motions of facial muscles contribute to signs of facial aging. Skin becomes loose and redundant, wrinkles appear in the skin, fat pads within the face descend, and muscle banding becomes visible in the neck. These signs of aging may be out of proportion to the individual’s overall health, how the individual actually feels and acts.

In Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, face lift is done to temporarily reverse some of these visible signs of aging. Using incisions around the ears, sideburns, hair-bearing scalp behind the ears and under the chin, the descended facial fat may be repositioned, superficial muscle tightened and the redundant skin diminished. In addition, attempted correction of the bands in the neck may be undertaken. The effects of the facelift are only temporary and the effects of gravity begin immediately once again. Complete elimination of signs of aging is not achieved, but frequently significant visible improvement is seen. Patients usually describe looking “more rested” and more youthful. Facelift surgery is often combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), forehead lift (brow lift) and resurfacing of wrinkles particularly around the mouth.

• The Consultation
• The Surgery
• The Recovery
• What are some of the particular concerns regarding a Facelift?
• Making the Decision

Beverly Hills Face Lift and Neck Lift: The Consultation

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Orringer will typically spend 45 minutes to an hour obtaining your medical history, examining you and discussing in detail your concerns, his observations and recommendations. Recommended skin care to prepare the skin for surgery will also be addressed.

The examination includes an assessment of brow position, forehead contour, eyelid appearance and bony contours. Skin changes and degree of soft tissue descent in the face, as well as, chin position are also evaluated. In addition, degree of skin and fat redundancy and muscle banding within the neck are assessed. Dr. Orringer will discuss his observations and recommendations regarding what might be done to potentially improve facial aesthetics. Every patient is a unique individual and only certain signs of aging may be bothersome to that particular person. Therefore, only certain procedures may be desired. Dr. Orringer understands this and will attempt to individualize and understand your unique concerns.
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Beverly Hills Face Lift and Neck Lift: The Surgery

The surgery is performed at the state-of-the art Surgery Center of Santa Monica. This modern accredited facility is located two blocks north of Saint John’s Hospital. Anesthesia is administered by Board-Certified anesthesiologists. Prior to surgery, Dr. Orringer will again discuss and plan your surgery with you.

The surgery usually involves tightening of superficial muscle and muscle cover (SMAS) and removal of excess skin and fat. Within the neck, the muscle bands may be re-approximated and divided in an effort to decrease their visibility. In addition, excess skin and fat is removed in sculpting the neck. Other procedures such as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), brow lift, chin augmentation may accompany the facelift as desired by the individual. A customized booklet which discusses further the procedure, risks, and pre- and post-operative instructions will be provided for you at your pre-operative visit.
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Beverly Hills Face Lift and Neck Lift: The Recovery

During the surgery, local anesthetic will be placed to the face, neck and scalp to decrease post-operative pain. Pain is usually well controlled with oral pain medicine and a cooling mask. Patients spend typically 1-2 nights at Serenity, a warm, comfortable facility geared for the care of the post-operative plastic surgery patient. Ambulation is encouraged the night of surgery. However, any strenuous exercise should not be done for at least 3-4 weeks following surgery. Driving should not be done until oral narcotics are no longer required for pain control. Dr. Orringer will see you the day following surgery. Many patients can note an overall improvement in appearance by the end of the first week. However, it takes typically at least 2-3 weeks for most of the swelling and bruising to resolve. Healing continues, particularly with regard to scars for 1-2 years. The skin will feel tight for at least the first post-operative month. Normal stretching of the skin usually eliminates this sensation by about 6 weeks. However, individual healing is variable. It will take some time to become accustomed to your appearance even if you perceive it as “younger and more rested.”
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What are some of the particular concerns regarding a facelift?

The results of facelift surgery are usually very pleasing. However, there are some very important considerations that must be taken into account before proceeding. With this surgery, a change in facial appearance will occur. This must be accepted before surgery. It is Dr. Orringer’s goal to achieve a natural but improved appearance. If the tissues are pulled too tightly, an unnatural appearance results. If they are not pulled tightly enough, a patient may wish for greater change. So, Dr. Orringer walks a “tightrope,” attempting to achieve a happy medium. He prefers a “less pulled” rather than a “more pulled” result. Scars are present with facelift surgery. While they fade over 1-2 years, they never totally disappear. Inherent to facelift surgery is the risk of temporary or permanent injury to facial nerve branches, resulting inability to move areas of the forehead, face or neck. This is usually temporary but can be permanent. Poor healing can occur, particularly in smokers and Dr. Orringer considers it essential to stop smoking for at least one month prior to the procedure and for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
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Beverly Hills Face Lift and Neck Lift: Making the decision

Every surgical procedure has inherent benefits, risks and limitations. Dr. Orringer wants you to feel comfortable asking any and every question that you may have at your initial consultation, pre-operative visit or at any time to assist you in determining whether facelift surgery is right for you. He believes that taking sufficient time needed to discuss, plan, individualize and perform your procedure is necessary time that is well spent.
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Complementary Procedures for you to consider:

• Beverly Hills brow lift and forehead lift
• Beverly Hills eyelid surgery

Before and after images:

• Beverly Hills facelift surgery before and after images
• Beverly Hills brow lift before and after images
• Beverly Hills eyelid surgery before and after images