Facelift – Monterey, CA
If you are concerned about sagging skin, wrinkles, and other signs of aging throughout your face, a facelift may be the perfect treatment option. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Wendy Wong has helped many patients reclaim a refreshed facial appearance with this cosmetic surgery. Dr. Wong’s exceptional surgical skill and extensive experience make her a top Monterey facelift provider.
Why A Facelift?
We notice many changes in our faces as we age. You might think that your appearance looks overall more tired, melancholy, or even angry. Skin may be saggy (especially around the lower part of the face and neck) and wrinkles have deepened over time. Aging also changes the proportions and overall harmony of the face. Facelift surgery is performed to restore a youthful facial appearance.
The Evolution of The Facelift
Back in the old days, facelift surgeries were performed by stretching skin very tight, creating a very unnatural, overstretched “wind tunnel” look. Through years of extensive research, plastic surgeons’ understanding of the anatomy behind aging has improved.
Likewise, great advances in facelift surgical techniques were made. Now, special techniques to strategically reposition aging tissue rather than pulling it tight are used to achieve a refreshed and natural result.
Finding The Right Plastic Surgeon For Facelift Surgery
The face has such unique and individualized features, making it important to have an artistic touch and eye to achieve the most optimal results. Each person also has different major anatomical causes of their aging, which include the skin, fat, soft tissue, ligaments and underlying bony structure. This is the most individualized and artistic surgery that board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Wendy Wong performs.
What Facelift Surgery Can Achieve
Facelift surgery can create a more youthful and refreshed facial appearance by changing its shape and manipulating the underlying tissue.* Since aging involves thinning and sagging of the deeper tissues, simply pulling the skin tight does not fix the problem.
Pulling the skin tight might look good for the first couple of weeks while there is still some swelling, but the results don’t last as skin is designed to eventually stretch again. Instead, the skin is repositioned and excess skin is removed.
*Individual results may vary.
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Are there Alternatives to a Full Facelift?
There are advertisements out there for cheap “lunchtime facelifts” or “mini facelifts.” Beware of these procedures which are gimmicky and the results are not long-lasting. You might find yourself needing a full facelift shortly after.
When looking at the before and after photos for these procedures, really scrutinize them as they are often misleading. For example, see if the patient’s head is turned up more in the after photo to make the neck and jawline appear thinner.
It is important to understand that no matter how skilled your plastic surgeon is, nature and gravity will eventually resume the aging process again. Face lift surgery can rewind the hands of time 5, 10 or even possibly 15 years, but it doesn’t stop the clock. To preserve your face lift results, continuing good maintenance of your skin health, using appropriate sun protection, and staying away from harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol will help tremendously.
Improving the forehead, eyebrows, eyelids and lips
Facelift surgery can be performed in combination with other surgeries for a more harmonious and pleasing result. These surgeries include brow lift surgery, blepharoplasty, and fat grafting.
Fat grafting is a revolutionary procedure that helps rejuvenate the youthful appearance of the face.* Soft tissues deflate and thin as we age; fat grafting these areas helps bring new stem cells into these areas and restore volume.
*Individual results may vary.
Optimize Your Results
To get the best possible results, good skin quality is important. The skin can be prepared for surgery with pre-treatments that may include our special ZO skin regimen and/or a skin resurfacing procedure (eg. Chemical peel, microneedling or laser treatment). Dr. Wong will evaluate your skin and determine what the most optimal treatment option is for you.
Without good quality skin, the facelift surgery would involve only repositioning thin, aged skin. There are some patients who would benefit from having the facelift surgery first and then have skin resurfacing procedures after.
What to Expect in Surgery
Facelift surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on patient comfort and if the surgery will be combined with other procedures. Typically, this surgery is done on an outpatient basis where you can go home with your family the same day as surgery.
The operation takes 4 – 5 hours depending on whether you have other surgeries combined, which can increase the surgical time necessary. Incisions are usually placed in well-hidden areas in front of and behind the ear.
You may be placed in some light, soft dressings after surgery. Usually, there are no drain necessary in facelift surgery.
Recovery
You are recommended to walk after surgery and can usually engage in normal daily activities within the first 2 days. Dr. Wong will see you within the first week after your surgery. Your stitches will be removed and she will check your incisions carefully.
You may have some bruising that improves within the first week. Typically, patients look good enough to attend a social event at 2 – 3 weeks. There will still be some amount of swelling that continues to improve over the next few months.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
Dr. Wong will customize your facelift procedure to your unique anatomy and needs. The cost of your facelift will depend on the complexity of your surgery and whether you are combining the procedure with additional facial cosmetic surgeries. You will be provided with complete pricing details once Dr. Wong has formulated your treatment plan.
Contact Us to Learn More
To find out if you are a candidate for a facelift in Monterey, call our office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wong today! She will discuss the details and risks of the surgery and provide you with a highly individualized treatment plan. She looks forward to meeting you!