Facelift
Face Lift
Ralph A. Massey, MD — Santa Monica & Encino, CA
With time the effects of gravity can show themselves as loose extra skin on the cheeks and jowls. These can add years to your appearance. The old-fashioned type of face-lift required general anesthetic, many weeks of down time and often left patients looking “unnatural” with their skin pulled much too tight. With the new “Lipo-Lift” Dr. Massey has integrated a new, less invasive face-lift procedure with the tissue contraction gained from micro-liposuction and the benefits of tumescent anesthesia, to produce amazing results. As soon as ten days later, patients don’t look like they have just had surgery, they just look better!
How The Procedure Is Performed
Unlike the older methods, Dr. Massey uses tumescent anesthesia along with a sedative (IV or oral). Tumescent anesthesia contains saline, epinephrine, and lidocaine. This solution stops excessive bleeding by constricting blood vessels. Facelifts performed under these conditions are vastly safer than those under general anesthesia and make patients comfortable. The patient is awake while the surgery is being performed. After the necessary incisions are made, the skin is gently lifted so that sagging around the cheeks, jowls, and upper lip becomes less visible. Dr. Massey’s expertise in performing facelifts with local anesthesia makes recovery much easier for patients than going under general anesthesia.Candidates for Facelift Surgery
A facelift is an excellent solution for those dealing with the signs of aging such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles and fine lines, and stubborn pockets of fat that accumulate in the lower facial region. The ideal candidate is in good general health and has realistic expectations. We’ll examine your facial features and ask you about your medical history in Santa Monica to determine if the facelift is right for you. Some patients do not need a facelift but could benefit from a tightening of their necks and jowls. For these patients, neck lipo lift alone or in combination with a surgical neck lift works beautifully and is less invasive than a full facelift.What To Do Before The Surgery
Before undergoing the facelift, you will first need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Massey in Santa Monica. During this time, he will provide you with instructions that you will need to follow in the time leading to the surgery. These instructions will require you to stop taking medications that cause blood thinning, drinking, and smoking for a couple of weeks before the procedure.Post-Surgery Recovery
Recovery from a facelift using tumescent anesthesia is much quicker than a traditional one, especially since general anesthesia is not used. Usual side effects include some swelling, bleeding, and bruising. Patients should expect to take some time off work and their normal daily activities for a couple of weeks to rest and recover. This includes refraining from strenuous physical activity. Dr. Massey will provide you with in-depth post-surgical instructions that you will need to follow to ensure the best results.How Much Does Facelift Cost?
The overall cost of an Facelift in Santa Monica is affected by anesthesia fees, hospital fees, post-surgery garments, and medications. Price is also impacted by medical tests, surgeon’s fees, and the exact techniques employed.Contact Our Office
Dr. Massey completed his fellowship in cosmetic surgery at Columbia University in New York. He is a highly skilled plastic surgeon who is dedicated to helping patients look and feel their absolute best. If you’re interested in learning more about facelift surgery, contact our office to schedule your informative consultation today.Before & Afters
Your Face Lift will be performed by Dr. Ralph A. Massey himself, within his certified outpatient surgery center in Santa Monica.
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