A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at giving your face a more youthful appearance. A facelift involves removing or repositioning sagging skin, tightening underlying tissues, and smoothing out wrinkles and folds. This process helps reduce signs of aging, like loose skin and deep lines, by creating a firmer and smoother facial contour. Our Seattle facelift patients can easily correct lower face and neck aging with a deep-plane facelift. Dr. Hakim Said’s modern technique lifts beneath the muscle layer in your cheeks, leaving the skin above it intact without obvious signs of having “work” done.
It takes an experienced surgeon to lift and sculpt your aging face so it looks natural. Dr. Said is a fellowship-trained and board-certified Seattle plastic surgeon with 23 years of experience. As a trusted authority on face and body reconstruction, he has authored more than 20 medical articles.
He has also been awarded as a “Top Doctor” by Seattle magazine for many years in a row. Aside from his technical skills and training, Dr. Said is a compassionate doctor who understands aging skin takes a toll on your confidence. He creates youthful facial contours according to your personal definition of beauty, utilizing the skill of a fine artist. Deep plane tissues are always addressed so you can enjoy a long-lasting result. He strives to deliver the best Facelift Seattle has to offer.
It takes an experienced surgeon to lift and sculpt your aging face so it looks natural. Dr. Said is a fellowship-trained and board-certified Seattle plastic surgeon with 23 years of experience. As a trusted authority on face and body reconstruction, he has authored more than 20 medical articles.
He has also been awarded as a “Top Doctor” by Seattle magazine for many years in a row. Aside from his technical skills and training, Dr. Said is a compassionate doctor who understands aging skin takes a toll on your confidence. He creates youthful facial contours according to your personal definition of beauty, utilizing the skill of a fine artist. Deep plane tissues are always addressed so you can enjoy a long-lasting result. He strives to deliver the best Facelift Seattle has to offer.
Anyone with skin laxity, prominent jowls, or other structural changes to the mid-to-lower face may be a good candidate for a facelift. Most patients try non-surgical options before realizing their aesthetic concerns require a more aggressive approach. If you are mentally and physically healthy and have reasonable expectations, a facelift might be right for you. To find out, book a consultation with Dr. Said. He can help you decide if the procedure is right for you or make alternative recommendations.
If you possess the following qualities, you could be a candidate for rhytidectomy:
Facelifts come in many varieties, each addressing different signs of aging. Here are a few surgical techniques Dr. Said may discuss with you.
Mini facelft is designed for those with mild lower facial sagging and jowls. Younger patients and those with minor signs of aging are typically good candidates.
A full facelift can be performed in many different ways, including the SMAS or deep plane techniques. Dr. Said favors the deep plane facelift since it often yields a more natural and long-lasting outcome.
Extensive facelifts can mean several things depending on how a surgeon defines it. For example, it could refer to an extended deep plane facelift, which addresses mid-facial volume loss while rejuvenating the entire length of the jawline. Others might think of an extensive facelift as a facelift performed alongside other procedures, such as eyelid surgery or a brow lift, thereby addressing multiple signs of facial aging in a single coordinated effort.
A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique that targets the deeper layers of facial tissue to achieve more significant and longer-lasting results. Unlike traditional facelifts, which primarily address the skin, a deep plane facelift repositions the underlying muscles and tissues for a more natural and durable outcome. For more information, visit our Deep Plane Facelift page.
The Facelift Consultation
At your consultation for a facelift Seattle plastic surgeon Dr. Hakim Said asks you about the changes you would like to see in the mirror. He listens to your aesthetic concerns and examines your face for signs of aging. The consultation provides answers to all your questions so you know exactly what to expect moving forward.
After a thorough skin analysis, Dr. Said creates a personalized facelift plan. He explains what a facelift can do for you. He may also suggest anti-aging treatments such as dermal fillers or neck rejuvenation that you might consider. The full cost of services is provided. Once you have a customized facelift plan, the next step is booking your surgery date.
Please follow all pre-operative instructions. On the day of your facelift, Dr. Said meets with you to go over any last-minute questions. He may place markings on your skin with a special marker. General anesthesia or conscious sedation may be used. Sedative drugs will begin to make you feel drowsy.
Once you are comfortably sedated, Dr. Said makes small incisions. Incision placement varies based on how much excess skin you have and your hairstyle and/or facial grooming preferences. Through these incisions, the underlying tissue of your cheeks is lifted and tightened.
Facelift surgery takes between three to four hours. The incisions are neatly closed. They are hardly visible once healed. You will awake in a comfortable recovery room. Most of our Seattle facelift patients return home the same day.
After spending approximately one hour in the recovery room, you may return home to rest. Someone must be present to drive you home if general anesthesia is administered.
Recovery after a facelift is relatively easy. Dr. Said provides post-op instructions for proper healing. You may shower the day after surgery and wash your hair. It is best to sleep with your head elevated. Sleeping in a recliner or propping your head up with extra pillows is recommended for the first week. Most discomfort subsides in the first three days. Antibiotics and pain medication may be prescribed. Swelling is minimal. Bruising may occur and generally subsides in two weeks. Bandages are removed at your first post-op appointment.
Stitches, if any, are removed in approximately 7 days. You can return to work in one to two weeks. Exercise may be resumed in six weeks; Please avoid strenuous activities before then. Walking every few hours is a great way to get some exercise in early recovery. Walking also lowers the risk of blood clots. There is no need to walk long distances or power walk. A few steps go a long way!
It is difficult to provide an estimated cost since many different types of facelifts exist. Nationally, the average price of a facelift is approximately $12,450. Aftercare, anesthetic fees, and your surgeon’s experience can impact pricing.
The cost of a facelift varies depending on the extent of the procedure, the specific techniques used, and other individual factors. At Said Plastic Surgery, we provide a detailed cost estimate during your consultation. We also offer financing options to make your facelift more affordable.
A facelift at Said Plastic Surgery is designed to provide comprehensive facial rejuvenation by addressing various signs of aging. Dr. Hakim Said employs advanced techniques to lift and tighten the underlying facial muscles, remove excess skin, and re-drape the remaining skin for a smoother, more youthful appearance. This procedure not only improves the appearance of sagging skin and deep wrinkles but also enhances the overall facial contour and symmetry.
The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and can take several hours, depending on the complexity of the case. Recovery time varies, with most of our patients able to return to normal activities within two weeks. The results of a facelift are long-lasting, often providing a rejuvenated appearance for many years. Dr. Said’s approach ensures that each facelift is customized to the patient's unique facial structure and aesthetic goals, providing natural and harmonious results.
Rhytidectomy results can last a decade or more. Preventative measures such as wearing SPF and applying nourishing skincare products will help to encourage long-term results.
Facelift and neck lift surgery, blepharoplasty, and brow lifts all go well together. Some procedures may be able to take place simultaneously, potentially saving money and time.
The surgery is a comfortable process, even when performed under local anesthetic. While you might be bracing yourself for a painful recovery, many patients only experience mild-to-moderate discomfort and facial tightness as they heal. Bruising and tenderness typically last two weeks before gradually fading.
While the surgery is popular among those in their 40s to 60s, you may be eligible for a facelift whether you are older or younger. It all depends on the rate at which your face has aged, which can be affected by everything from genetics to lifestyle factors.
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Dr. Said may place the incisions in or around the ears, at the temporal hairline, or near the lower scalp. Incision patterns may vary. Facelift scars are usually well-concealed once they heal.
A facelift procedure typically takes between three to five hours, depending on the complexity and extent of the surgery. Additional time may be required for ancillary procedures such as neck lifts or eyelid surgery.
The results of a facelift continue to improve as the swelling and bruising subside. Most patients begin to see the best results around three to six months post-surgery when the skin has settled into its new position and any residual swelling has diminished.
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