Facelift in San Diego

Facelift surgery is performed using general anesthesia to ensure the safest procedure possible with no pain for the patient. Dr. Pollack will recommend the best choice for your procedure.

You may experience bruising, swelling, and redness following your surgery. Drains may be placed to help minimize excess swelling. Mild discomfort following your surgery is common, and it can be controlled by taking an oral pain medication.

Most patients can return to work 10 days to two weeks after their surgery. You can resume your regular exercise routine after three to four weeks. Most significant swelling should subside after six weeks of recovery, at which time your final results will become more visible. Residual swelling can take up to six months to resolve. Dr. Pollack and his staff will help you decide when you can return to specific activities.

Your risk of complications following facelift surgery is low. Bleeding and infection can occur. Temporary facial numbness may occur in some patients, but it usually does not last. Visible scarring may initially develop along your hairline but is likely to fade over time.

Your facelift results are long lasting, offering a visibly younger face for many years. However, you should note that as you naturally age and your skin becomes loose again, your results will be impacted.

All surgeries result in scars because incision points are required for the procedure. However, if you pick an experienced and skilled doctor, such as Dr. Larry Pollack, they will strategically place your incisions close to the hairline where they are barely noticeable. The scars should fade over time.

Laser treatments can remove brown spots and reduce fine lines, while fillers can add volume back to the face (in places like the lips and cheeks), concerns that facelift surgery cannot always correct.
Both of these are great benefits that can improve your appearance, but they do not address sagging skin or underlying tissues. Only a surgical procedure can remove and tighten the loose skin around your face and neck.
Many individuals opt for laser treatments or fillers as “touch-ups” post-facelift.

Your results will depend on the experience and skill of your plastic surgeon. To ensure you get the best results, it is essential to take your time when picking the right doctor for you. Always consider their training and experience and ask to see before and after pictures to see the doctor’s work for yourself.

The length of your facelift surgery will depend on your needs and the extent of work you are having done. On average, a facelift can take between three and four hours.

Facelift surgery is the best way to tighten sagging skin on the lower two-thirds of the face, jawline, and neck. A facelift is not appropriate for those looking to tighten the upper third of the face or only improve skin tone and texture.
Additionally, if you are a smoker, you will be asked to temporarily stop before and after your surgery.

No, a facelift does not address the eye area. To rejuvenate the eyes, patients should inquire about an eyelid lift. An eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) can remove excess fat and skin to fix bags and circles on the upper and lower eyelids. Many patients choose to combine their facelift with an eyelid lift. If you are interested in doing so, you should ask your doctor whether this is the right approach for you during your consultation.