Top 21 Facelift FAQs With Dr. Zelken

At the Zelken Institute, we get asked many questions about facelift surgery! So, today we share with you our top 21 facelift questions in the hope that it provides you with a clearer understanding of facelift procedures, and more importantly...

1. IS A FACELIFT PROCEDURE RIGHT FOR ME?

People of all ages may seek a facelift to achieve a more defined jawline or to maintain their youthful looks. There are even different types of facelifts tailored to each person’s medical and surgical history, goals and desires. So, whether you’re looking for a slight rejuvenation or a full-on profile transformation, a facelift could be the perfect solution. With Dr. Zelken you can trust that your unique needs will be met with care and precision.

2. WHY CHOOSE DR. ZELKEN?

The facelift procedure is Dr. Zelken’s favorite! It’s the foundation of the Zelken Institute – Dr. Zelken is deeply passionate about facelift surgery and takes pride in customizing each procedure to meet the unique goals and desires of his patients.

3. DOES DR. ZELKEN OFFER THE VERTICAL FACELIFT?

There are plenty of branded facelift techniques, such as the vertical restore facelift, that individual plastic surgeons may attribute to their own unique modifications. Some even try to trademark the names of their specialized facelifts, like the ponytail facelift or the vertical facelift. Dr. Zelken’s facelift is more focused on maximizing the jawline, preventing neck bands from coming back, and adding volume to the mid-face, all while maintaining a subtle and natural appearance. After all, when it comes to aging gracefully, subtlety is key.

4. DOES DR. ZELKEN OFFER THE DEEP PLANE FACELIFT?

Dr. Zelken believes that every patient is unique, so every facelift should be tailored to their specific anatomy. Though he uses a combination of deep plane and traditional methods in his facelifts, he avoids being too fixated on one type of procedure to ensure the best results for his patients. With the deep plane facelift, Dr. Zelken can access the buccal fat pad and release ligaments preventing the tightening of the deeper structures of the face. He puts the patient first and creates a customized facelift that meets their specific needs.

5. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING A FACELIFT CONSULTATION?

Our consultation process is more than just a quick assessment. Dr. Zelken will take the time to truly understand what you hope to achieve and explore less invasive options, such as buccal fat removal or fillers. In our 30 – 40 minute session, we’ll walk through your medical and surgical history, ensuring you’re healthy and psychologically ready for a facelift. We encourage you to bring pictures and ask questions so you can make an informed decision. Let us guide you through the process with care.

6. WILL A FACELIFT MAKE ME LOOK STRETCHED?

We all want to look youthful, but nobody wants to look like they’ve had a facelift that’s left them looking stretched. It’s a common concern, and for good reason. It used to be that facelifts just tightened the skin, but that approach often led to a stretched appearance. Nowadays, plastic surgeons take a different approach. They focus on volumizing the face, tightening deeper structures, and optimizing skin health. By doing all of these things, they can create a more natural-looking result that avoids the pulled appearance and windswept lines that people worry about when they think of facelifts. And as for the concern about the mouth getting wider? It’s not common in modern facelift surgery. So if you’re considering a facelift, there’s no need to worry about looking stretched or artificial. With the right surgeon and approach, you can get the youthful appearance you want without sacrificing your natural beauty.

7. HOW MUCH FACELIFT RECOVERY TIME OFF SHOULD I ARRANGE?

The recovery time for a traditional facelift depends on a few factors. If you’re comfortable with a little bruising, you can return to work in two weeks. However, if your job requires heavy lifting or strenuous labor, you might need up to a month to fully recover. Some patients even get a little bruising under their eyes from the fat transfer procedure. After three weeks, with a little cover-up, you can even head out to a nice restaurant. It all depends on what you do and how comfortable you are with what you see in the mirror.

8. HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY LAST?

The length of time for a basic facelift is typically about four to five hours. Of course, this can vary depending on other procedures being done at the same time, such as nose or eye touch-ups or even breast augmentation. However, as a rule, Dr. Zelken doesn’t like to go beyond six or eight hours for a single operation. Generally, as long as it’s under six or seven hours, it’s pretty safe and plenty can be accomplished in that time frame. It’s important to remember that while the question of time might seem straightforward, it’s always dependent on the specific needs and desires of each patient.

9. WILL I NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE ME HOME AFTER A FACELIFT PROCEDURE?

After a long 8-hour surgery, Dr. Zelken suggests you don’t go straight home. You’re likely to feel a little loopy and often recommend his patients spend their first night post-op at a care facility. They may charge a small fee, but it’s worth it for your comfort and safety. If that’s not an option for you, make sure to have someone you trust to drive you home and take care of you. You deserve to be well-cared for after your facelift!

10. WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?

Dr. Zelken performs more facelifts while his patients are asleep. Safety is always a top priority, and when opting for general anesthesia, a tube is used to ensure that your airway is protected throughout the procedure. While this may sound intimidating, we want to assure you that it’s extremely safe. For patients who prefer not to use this option, we also offer IV sedation, although it’s not as optimal.

11. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FACELIFT, A MID-FACELIFT AND A NECK LIFT?

There’s always that one friend who swears by the upper facelift, mid facelift, lower facelift, quarter facelift, brow lift, and neck lift combo! While those may be popular terms, Dr. Zelken does not use them. A facelift is a facelift – and it typically includes everything from the temples to the collarbone for complete rejuvenation. We might even include fat transfer or buccal fat remodeling if needed. So if you’re ever considering a facelift, remember that our approach encompasses everything you need for optimal results!

12. CAN I GET A NECK LIFT INDEPENDENT OF A FACELIFT?

Yes – the neck lift procedure can be done separately from a facelift. Dr. Zelken, however, discourages it in most cases. It could be considered if you have a strong jawline and only need a lift in your neck area. Men looking for a direct neck lift (cutting off skin alone) may also be good candidates. But for the majority of patients, the neck and facelift scars are quite similar and surgery time is the same. Tightening the neck without addressing jowls can leave an unbalanced appearance.

13. CAN I HAVE A FACELIFT AND EYELID LIFT AT THE SAME TIME?

It’s common for at least 50% of Dr. Zelken’s facelift patients to request eyelid enhancements. And luckily, it’s possible to do both facelift and blepharoplasty procedures at the same time! So if you’re considering a facelift, make sure to ask about eyelid enhancements as well. Watch Dr. Zelken’s blepharoplasty with a single stitch brow lift technique.

14. HOW LONG DOES A FACELIFT LAST?

Classically, surgeons are taught that a facelift sets the clock back 10 – 15 years. However, the clock keeps ticking and at some point you’re going to eventually want a little tuck up or something else along the way. The long-lasting nature of facelift results depends on your age (the younger you are the higher the quality of your tissue), your skin quality and whether it is primary or revision surgery.

15. WILL A FACELIFT GET RID OF DARK CIRCLES AND BAGS UNDER MY EYES?

With a facelift, Dr. Zelken typically does some degree of fat augmentation of the midface and that includes the tear trough and the lateral orbital rim. If the deep dark circles are because of bony insufficiency in that area, then a facelift can help. However, if you have dark circles because of fat bags under your eyes, it may necessitate an adjunctive procedure like lower blepharoplasty.

16. WHERE ARE FACELIFT SCARS?

The facelift scar is typically located underneath the temporal tuft or extends into the temple area, behind the tragus, the cartilage tab along the front of your earlobe, and down the hairline. Don’t worry though, they do fade over time.

17. HOW PAINFUL IS A FACELIFT?

Facelifts may not be as painful as other cosmetic surgeries that involve the tightening of muscles, tendons, or bones. Dr. Zelken’s patients typically describe the post-operative feeling as “more annoying than painful,” with tightness being felt in the face.

18. WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE RIGHT AFTER SURGERY?

After your procedure, Dr. Zelken will check in on you telephonically and speak to you directly, or your nurse or family member. You might be feeling a bit groggy, but you’ll be feeling great in no time. You might experience a little bit of discomfort, like a sore throat or feeling like you’re wearing a football helmet (due to the compression wrap). But no worries, nothing too serious. And in most cases, we won’t need to use any drains. So just take it easy and enjoy your facelift recovery period.

10. WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR FACELIFT?

In Dr. Zelken’s experience, the best results tend to be in younger patients since tissue quality diminishes with age. As a result, he’s been performing facelifts on younger patients, with his average patient now being in their mid-forties. Anyone can be a candidate for a facelift, it is a way to preserve and optimize beauty. Take a look at Dr. Zelken’s video on the early intervention facelift for more details.

20. HOW MUCH DOES A FACELIFT COST?

While it’s a common question, there’s no simple answer. The cost depends on a number of factors, from your personal medical history to the specific procedures you’re considering. If you’re curious about the cost, the best thing to do is to make an appointment for a thorough evaluation. While you can certainly call the office to get a ballpark estimate, an in-person exam is necessary to provide an accurate quote. But don’t worry, our experienced staff can help point you in the right direction and answer any initial questions you may have.

21. ARE FACELIFTS PERMANENT?

Yes, when skin is cut and tightened, those changes stay put. The good news is that even after surgery, you can take steps to maintain your investment. Things like CO2 laser treatments, avoiding sun exposure, and taking care of your skin can all help. Our team can provide individualized advice on how to best preserve your facelift results. So if you’re considering plastic surgery, remember that time and gravity may do their thing, but with the right care, your beautiful new look can last a lifetime.

We are here to help. Contact our Newport Beach, CA office if you have any other questions or wish to book an appointment with Dr. Zelken.