Facelift in Long Beach & Los Alamitos, CA

Triple board-certified plastic surgeon William P. Aiello performs a full spectrum of facial surgical treatments in Los Alamitos, CA. One of the most sought-out surgeries at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center is a facelift. For this surgery, Dr. Aiello focuses specifically on the jawline and mid-area of the face to tighten loose skin and create a more taut, yet softer appearance. A facelift corrects jawline sagging and jowls by lifting and removing some of the loose skin and repositioning the muscle underneath. Beyond jawline and jowl sagging, a facelift can correct nasolabial folds (the deep creases extending from your nose to the corners of your mouth). 

Dr. Aiello may also discuss your option of his Minimal Incision facelift if you are younger or have less advanced signs of aging. The facelift technique used will depend on your desired outcome, the health and condition of your skin, the degree of skin laxity, and your lifestyle, age, and anatomy. Some individuals are of age and have skin laxity for a full facelift while some may only be ready for a Minimal Incision facelift. This technique is a great option, as we encourage patients considering a facelift to start addressing the signs of aging early. However, the rate at which you may start to show certain signs of facial aging can be hereditary or lifestyle related and may need surgical intervention sooner. If you feel that your face does not reflect your youthful spirit and energy level at any age, schedule your free consultation today. Dr. Aiello is a highly trained and experienced surgeon who understands the complexity and delicate anatomy of a facelift procedure. The overall goal is to produce a natural appearance that's gorgeous, subtle, and still striking.

Men and women who are suitable for facelift surgery have drooping skin, lines, and wrinkles on the face, whether it be on the mid or lower face or both. A facelift can target one or both areas, depending on your unique goals and desired outcome. It's also important to note that age doesn't always define the time in life to have facial plastic surgery. Dr. Aiello's facelifts are designed to achieve results that look natural at the time of your procedure but also age naturally with you. There are countless aspects and factors, depending on the cosmetic concerns of the patient. The lifting technique chosen will be different for patients who are between 30 and 40 years old vs. those who are older, such as 60 or 70 years old. The condition of the skin is one of the key elements in the decision-making process. Patients should be physically healthy nonsmokers who have realistic expectations.

Many people think a facelift is an all-encompassing procedure that corrects everything on the face that has changed with aging. That’s understandable. After all, your eyes and forehead are part of your face, too! However, a facelift on its own only addresses the lower two-thirds of the face. It will not correct a low sagging brow (forehead) or other areas of the face, like droopy upper eyelids or lower eye bags. Other surgical rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a facelift to address other areas of the face are:

• Brow/forehead lift to correct a sagging, low forehead or deeply furrowed brow
• Eyelid surgery to correct drooping upper eyelids and reduce puffy lower eye bags
• Neck lift to address creased and sagging skin in your upper neck
• Liposuction to the neck or jowls to remove any pockets of fat that will prevent a smooth contour

Dr. Aiello's facelifts address the lower two-thirds of the face, though some methods are a bit more invasive than others. The technique Dr. Aiello utilizes is a vertical lift that restores the soft tissues back to their original anatomical position, not a horizontal pull, causing an unnatural, “windblown” look. The goal of a facelift is to give the face a rejuvenated, natural restoration. It's very common for some patients to have an eyelid lift, brow lift, or BOTOX and fillers to complement and enhance their final results. 

• Full Facelift
  A common surgery for older adults, the full or "traditional" facelift includes both the mid and lower face. It most often places an incision close to the hairline that stops near the base of the ears. The deeper layer of facial muscles is carefully stretched and safely tightened to create a lifted outcome, which reduces excessive loose skin and droopy features. This facelift is used for individuals who have visible signs of aggressive aging. This lift can correct nasolabial folds, as well as a sagging jawline and jowls. During a full facelift, many patients also opt for additional procedures, such as blepharoplasty, which addresses the eyes, or neck reduction for the lower region.
• Minimal Incision Facelift
  A Minimal Incision facelift by Dr. Aiello is very similar to his standard facelifts, whether you opt for a mid- or lower-facelift or both. The difference is that when a less extensive lift is necessary, the length of the incisions can be significantly shorter, which can reduce scarring and downtime.

Following your procedure, we will monitor your health until you can be safely released to be taken home by a friend or family member. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Aiello or someone on his staff will schedule your follow-up visits and go over suggestions to help you heal faster. It's normal to have bruising and swelling, slight to moderate pain, and soreness, which may be reduced by pain medication. It may take several weeks before you feel and physically look better and healed. When you are fully healed, you can expect a more glowing look and significantly fewer lines and less sagging. Overall, your face will appear lifted and younger looking.

How much does a facelift cost?
The cost of your facelift will depend on the technique chosen and other factors. In your consultation, Dr. Aiello will create your unique treatment plan to match your needs and goals. When this is complete, he can go over estimates of fees. To avoid unnatural-looking results, it's better to concentrate on finding a skilled surgeon, like Dr. Aiello, instead of the lowest price. Ocean Plastic Surgery Center can give you information on low-interest financing that can help make your facelift affordable.

Will all of my wrinkles be gone after my facelift?
Not necessarily. Your face shows signs of aging in three ways. Tightening the muscles and re-draping the skin with a facelift only addresses one of the signs. You may also have fat volume loss and skin texture issues, such as deep wrinkles and discoloration of your skin. Procedures to address these other two signs of aging include cheek implants, fat grafting, or injectable fillers to restore volume. You could also opt for a laser, chemical peel, or dermabrasion to resurface your skin to improve skin tone and clarity.

Will my scars be hidden?
Your incisions will depend on the area of the face that is targeted and the amount of change you want. During your consultation, Dr. Aiello will recommend an approach based on your goals and facial characteristics, including the shape of your face. The placement and length of incisions vary, depending on the facelift technique that best suits you. Many patients are interested in a Minimal Incision Facelift. Not all patients are candidates for this technique, but during your consultation, Dr. Aiello will review all options with you. Regardless of the type of facelift you receive, you will have incisions that involve the skin around your ear. Most commonly, they continue down and around the front of your ears, hidden in the natural creases behind your ears in your hair. Facelift scars can be virtually invisible, narrow, flat, and well placed behind the ear so you can still wear your hair back or short.

Are the results from a facelift long-lasting?
When performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Aiello, a facelift is designed to achieve results that not only look natural now but will also age naturally with you. While nothing can stop the normal aging process after a facelift, you will always look years younger than you would have without the surgery. However, there are certain things you can do to keep your results looking their best. Maintaining a healthy, stable weight is important as significant weight fluctuations can cause the skin to stretch out again. You should also adopt a consistent, quality skin care regimen to keep your skin healthy and protected from unnecessary aging.

Am I too old (or too young) for a facelift?
Many patients may feel that have waited too late in life to address their facial aging, or on the opposite end of the spectrum that they are too young to be considering a facelift. Techniques for facelift surgery can range from minimally invasive to more extensive, sophisticated surgery. Every patient at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center is evaluated, and recommendations are based on their personal case. If you are older but in good general health and have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for a facelift. If you are younger, you may be a candidate for a Minimal Incision facelift.

Plastic facial surgery can turn back the hands of time for your face and give you a rejuvenated appearance. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of choices for surgery, depending on your unique goals. This surgery is meant to make you younger looking while still natural. For more information, we welcome you to get in touch with Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, CA to schedule your appointment with Dr. Aiello.