“Raj is attentive, kind, and an excellent communicator”
Raj is attentive, kind, and an excellent communicator. He is equally equally approachable and confident. I am one week post-op from a facelift, and if the results and recovery so far are any indication, he is also, and perhaps most importantly, an outstanding surgeon. Per the guidance of other surgeons I consulted with, I was ready to spend the entire month post-op hideous and in hiding, and seriously doubting my decision to do this work. Swelling was indeed hideous in the first few days, but since around day 4 a corner has been turned and the results are becoming visible and very pleasing. Raj was available by phone at a moments notice every time I became worried about the swelling. I really can’t give enough positive feedback about my experience working with Raj and his practice. But again, most importantly, I’m excited to share pictures of his surgical talent after my wrappings and sutures come off tomorrow and as healing progresses. Updated on 8 Jun 2024: Here are some photos taken yesterday, 10 days post op. There’s still some swelling and bruise discoloration under my eyes, but it’s so much better than I was prepared to look at 10 days post op. Will keep updating as healing progresses!
Introduction to Facelift
As we age, the sagging of the cheeks and jowls becomes more noticeable, often accompanied by a loss of definition around the jawline that can blend into the neck. Facelift surgery is becoming increasingly popular as modern techniques deliver natural yet transforming results that turn back the clock. With deep plane and extended deep plane facelift surgery, you can regain your youthful, accentuated jawline, eliminate jowls, lift sagging or descended tissues, and soften wrinkles.
A facelift is often performed in conjunction with other facelift-adjacent procedures, such as an endoscopic brow lift, eyelid surgery, a nose job, or laser skin resurfacing. If you are interested in a refreshed, smoother appearance, consider a facelift in the San Francisco Bay area at the practice of Double–Board–Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Raj Dedhia.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift, known as a Rhytidectomy, is a customized cosmetic procedure that depends on the area of the face that the client wants to rejuvenate. Dr. Dedhia promises to work on each section of the face to create a comprehensive, transformative, and natural result. Dr. Dedhia uses an extended deep plane facelift technique to treat the face and neck. A good solution for sagging jowls and a hanging neck, this surgical procedure gives clients a visual appearance that is more vibrant and youthful, as well as restored.
Types of Facelifts
Deep Plane Facelift/Extended Deep Plane Facelift
An extended deep plane facelift addresses signs of aging in the face and neck region. What makes it unique compared to other facelift techniques is its depth of dissection and the extent of tissue manipulation. Here are some key characteristics that make the extended deep plane facelift unique:
- Deep Plane Dissection: Unlike traditional facelift techniques that focus on lifting the facial skin and superficial tissues, the extended deep plane facelift involves dissection and manipulation of tissues at a deeper level, specifically the deep plane layer beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). Surgeons can achieve more comprehensive and long-lasting results by working at this deeper level.
- Full Facial Rejuvenation: The extended deep plane facelift addresses the lower face, neck, and midface region. This allows for a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the entire face, including improvement of jowls, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and sagging neck tissues.
- Natural-Looking Results: By lifting and repositioning deeper facial structures, such as the SMAS and facial fat pads, the extended deep plane facelift can produce more natural-looking results compared to techniques that primarily address the skin. This approach helps avoid the “pulled” or overly tight appearance sometimes associated with traditional facelifts.
- Longevity: Because of the depth of tissue manipulation involved, the results of an extended deep plane facelift tend to be longer-lasting than those of other facelift techniques.
- Customization: Like other facelift procedures, the extended deep plane facelift can be tailored to each patient’s specific needs and goals. Surgeons can adjust the extent of dissection and the areas targeted based on individual anatomy and aesthetic concerns.
Mini-Facelift
Mini-facelift surgery has received the nickname “the weekend facelift” because it is a less invasive alternative to a traditional facelift with a faster recovery time. Alternative terms for a mini-facelift encompass the S-lift, MACS lift, and short-incision facelift or Short Scar Facelift. This approach only addresses the lower parts of the face, so the incisions are shorter than those required for the full facelift. This method effectively eliminates jowls, accentuates the jawline, and smoothing the bottom half of the face.
Revision Facelift
Revision facelift surgery involves correcting unsatisfactory outcomes or complications from a prior facelift procedure. Dr. Raj Dedhia is uniquely trained for this due to his extensive experience with extended deep-plane facelift approaches, particularly in complex revision cases. Dr. Dedhia employs advanced techniques tailored to each patient’s specific needs, ensuring natural-looking results and restoring confidence in those seeking revision facelifts.
Preservation Face lift and neck lift:
The goal of this modification or technique is to limit trauma to the skin during surgery for a faster recovery and enhanced result. Lifting or peeling the skin off of the deeper layers is what causes most of the stress to the skin and results in most of the downtime period after surgery. The extended deep plane facelift technique already limits skin dissection compared to other facelift techniques. In the preservation technique, the plane of entry into the deep plane closer to the incisions thereby limiting the amount of elevation/dissection/delamination of the skin. Additional areas of skin under the jawline or angle of jaw are also left attached and the dissection is done in the deeper layers. By limiting delamination of the skin, patients can experience enhanced postoperative recovery in terms of bruising and swelling and lower rates of complications such as delayed healing, fluid collections (such as hematomas and seromas), skin flap issues, and skin discoloration.
What Are The Benefits Of A Facelift?
Our patients who have received a traditional facelift surgery in San Francisco have seen huge benefits, some of which are shared below:
- A more contoured jawline
- Elimination of wrinkles
- Lifted cheekbones
- Natural, age-appropriate results
- Reduces and can eliminate deep creases
- Refreshed appearance
- Tightens sagging skin
Who Are The Best Candidates For A Facelift?
The best candidates who have received a facelift in San Francisco, CA, at Raj Dedhia MD Facial Plastic Surgery are looking to curb the physical effects of the aging process and have some of the following characteristics:
- Be at or close to their desired target weight
- Committed to good skincare
- Have wrinkles
- Maintain realistic expectations with a positive attitude
- No serious underlying medical conditions, such as high, uncontrolled blood pressure
- No history of bleeding, clotting, or negative reactions to anesthesia
- Understand the procedure, recovery time, and risks
- Have a double chin and sagging jowls
Facelift Consultation
What’s the first step?
The first step in getting your facelift with Dr. Dedhia in San Francisco, CA, is to schedule a consultation at his practice. On the day of your appointment, Dr. Dedhia will discuss your medical history, goals, expectations, and any associated risks. Finally, he will perform a physical examination of your facial features.
If you are a good candidate for the Facelift procedure, Dr. Dedhia will explain the various techniques, indicating the target incision areas and the pros and cons of each technique. He will also show you before-and-after photos to illustrate the outcomes of his facelift surgery.
Once you and Dr. Dedhia are both happy with the direction of the procedure, he will create your treatment plan. Our Patient Coordinator will then help schedule your surgery and provide you with instructions on how to prepare.
What to Expect on the Day of Facelift Surgery
For your Facelift surgery in San Francisco, Dr. Dedhia and his friendly staff will welcome you and go over the details of your surgery in case you have any last-minute questions or concerns. When you’re ready to go, an anesthetist will administer general anesthesia to make your procedure pain-free.
Once you are sedated, Dr. Dedhia will make the carefully planned incision from the temple, around the ear, and along the hairline. He will lift the skin and SMAS layers enveloping the underlying facial muscles and tissues to create an internally tightened facial lift, removing any excess skin and fat along the way.
Dr. Dedhia will consider your gender, ethnicity, and physical anatomy as he shapes your face. He closes the skin without tension to avoid a pulled look and limit any scarring issues after surgery. Once he is done, he meticulously closes the incisions with sutures to create minimal scarring.
After surgery, a compression dressing will protect your incisions. You will also have a few surgical drains to promote the removal of excess fluid.
An extended deep plane facelift usually takes anywhere from four to six hours.
Facelift Recovery
After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room, where your sedation will be monitored until it wears off. Since this is an outpatient procedure, we recommend having a family member or friend available to drive you home so you can recover in a more comfortable environment. You should also have a capable adult around for the next 24 to 48 hours to assist you with your basic needs.
Two or more drains will likely be placed on your face to help with fluid buildup and swelling. These will be removed within a few days after surgery.
After surgery, many patients should initially expect mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort. At approximately two weeks, these should be at a level where you will feel comfortable being in public and be able to hide any resolving bruising with makeup. While at approximately two months, we expect you to feel event-ready, it can take up to 6 months to see the full benefit of the surgery. Dr. Dedhia will provide prescription pain medications to ease discomfort and instructions on caring for your treated area. These directions include keeping your head elevated to reduce swelling and secure stitches.
Most patients need to take at least a week off work to recover from the procedure. We also recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for a few weeks. Furthermore, we recommend taking additional time off for more complex facelift procedures or patients with physically demanding jobs.
Facelift cost
How Much Does Facelift Cost In San Francisco, CA
The cost of a facelift in San Francisco varies depending on Dr. Dedhia’s facial rejuvenation techniques, the complexity of your case, and other factors such as surgeon and anesthetist fees. The best way to determine the cost is to schedule your initial consultation and let Dr. Dedhia create your surgical plan. Next, our patient coordinator will show you the price breakdown for your procedure.
Why choose Dr. Dedhia?
At Raj Dedhia MD Facial Plastic Surgery, you are sure to get patient care and excellence. Dr. Dedhia’s cosmetic surgery focuses on obtaining both natural and long-lasting results. Dr. Dedhia believes each of his patients is unique and provides them with a personalized treatment plan during each consultation to find solutions that improve their facial anatomy. This should be your choice of practice for your Facelift in San Francisco.
Dr. Raj Dedhia is a Double-Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon who specializes in the cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck. He has over 10 years of surgical experience, with a focus on rhinoplasty and facelift surgery. He is affiliated with the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS), American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).
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“If you’re considering any facial cosmetic work, I would definitely recommend”
I had been considering and searching for a plastic surgeon I would trust with my face. My friend is a nurse at a surgery center, she highly recommended Dr Dedhia.. Dr Dedhia is a skilled, talented surgeon. He has a kind and caring bedside manner, he was always available for any questions or concerns I had. Dr Dedhia gave me the look I wanted, natural and understated, not pulled and surprised, I couldn’t be happier. If you’re considering any facial cosmetic work, I would definitely recommend Dr Dedhia