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What Is a Facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure that can refresh and enhance the facial appearance through:

 
• Skin excision
• Fat repositioning and/or removal
• Muscle tightening
 

Dr. Reichner is skilled and experienced in multiple facelift techniques, allowing him to customize each patient’s procedure to their facial features, the degree of facial aging present, and their aesthetic goals. During your consultation, Dr. Reichner will examine your facial structure and tissues and listen to your concerns to determine which surgical techniques will best fit your needs. Neck lift surgery is often paired with facelift surgery to achieve the most harmonious and comprehensive results possible.


Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?

Candidates for facelift surgery have moderate to severe signs of facial aging, such as deep facial wrinkles and creases, sagging cheeks, and jowls. Candidates should be in good overall health, be non-smokers or willing to quit smoking for at least one month before and after surgery, and must have realistic expectations for the outcome of their procedure.

What a Facelift can achieve

  • Reduced Facial Wrinkles

    Gravity, sun damage, and lifestyle choices contribute to the development of wrinkles and lines anywhere on the face, which can make you appear tired and older than you are. Facelift surgery eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds, to provide a smoother, natural-looking complexion.

  • Reduced Facial Wrinkles

    Gravity, sun damage, and lifestyle choices contribute to the development of wrinkles and lines anywhere on the face, which can make you appear tired and older than you are. Facelift surgery eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds, to provide a smoother, natural-looking complexion.

  • Reduced Facial Wrinkles

    Gravity, sun damage, and lifestyle choices contribute to the development of wrinkles and lines anywhere on the face, which can make you appear tired and older than you are. Facelift surgery eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds, to provide a smoother, natural-looking complexion.

What Happens During a Facelift?

Although facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure, it is performed under general anesthesia. After the administration of anesthesia, Dr. Reichner will make the necessary incision(s), so he can:

Remove and tighten skin

Loose, hanging skin will be excised, and the remaining skin will be gently lifted and carefully placed to create a smoother look.

Reposition facial muscles

Weakened and/or sagging muscles will be tightened and repositioned, as needed, to improve definition in the midface and along the jawline. Adjusting the facial muscles, as well as the skin, allows for more natural-looking results.

Contour the cheeks

As tissue begins to break down with age, gravity, and sun damage, we start to notice lost volume and drooping in the cheeks. Dr. Reichner can often redistribute facial fat to restore fullness. In patients who have lost a significant amount of volume, fat grafting can be used. During fat grafting, fat is harvested from another part of your body via liposuction and added to the areas of the face in need of enhancement, such as the cheeks or around the mouth.

Enhance the neck

Along with facial aging, many patients have skin laxity and vertical banding on the neck that contributes to a prematurely aged appearance. Often, a neck lift—with or without liposuction—is performed in combination with a facelift to create a more defined and youthful neck profile, restoring balance between the face and neck. Neck lift surgery requires a small incision beneath the chin, through which loose skin is trimmed and tightened. If excess fat is present in the neck area, liposuction will be employed to remove it.
 
When all changes have been made, Dr. Reichner will use advanced suturing techniques to close the incisions. Bandages will then be placed to protect the surgical sites and help in the healing process.

What to Expect After a Facelift

You will need to have someone present to drive you home after your surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours of your facelift recovery. Following your facelift, you may experience bruising, swelling, tightness, and/or numbness. To help reduce these symptoms and to promote optimal healing, you should keep your head elevated, even when you are sleeping. Cold compresses and oral pain medication can be utilized, as directed, to minimize discomfort.
 
Patients typically return to work in one to two weeks, but exercise and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least three weeks. Dr. Reichner will advise you when you can safely resume all of your normal activities based on his assessment of your healing progress at your follow-up appointments.

Facelift Results

Swelling and bruising will subside in the weeks following your procedure, revealing your rejuvenated look. The full effect of your facelift procedure can be anticipated within six months, once the area has completely healed. Patients who adhere to healthy lifestyle habits and are diligent about protecting their face from sun exposure can enjoy their facelift results for many years.
 
Fortunately, with facelift surgery, Dr. Reichner can typically hide the incision within the hairline, so post-op marks will be inconspicuous. Dr. Reichner does his best to make facelift incisions as small and hidden as possible. To help minimize your chance of scarring, be sure to keep your incisions out of the sun and avoid putting any extra tension or pressure on them. All post-op marks will fade with time.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

The price of your facelift will reflect the extent of your procedure and will include applicable anesthesia and facility fees. Cost details will be reviewed with you during your consultation.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering a facelift in Orange County, contact our office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Reichner. Our team looks forward to providing exceptional care at every step of your treatment journey.

Before & After



View Before & After Images

Concerns

  • Recovery
  • Scars
  • Pain

  • Although facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure, it is performed under general anesthesia, and you are required to have a driver present to get you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. To help reduce bruising and swelling and to promote healing, you should keep your head elevated, even when you are sleeping. Patients typically return to work in one to two weeks, but exercise and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least three weeks.

  • Scarring will form at the incision sites. Fortunately, with facelift surgery, most of the incision is hidden within the hairline so that it will be inconspicuous. Dr. Reichner does his best to make these incisions as small and hidden as possible. To help minimize your chance of scarring, be sure to keep your incisions out of the sun and avoid putting any extra tension or pressure on them. All scarring will fade with time.

  • Following your facelift, you may experience bruising, swelling, tightness, and numbness. Bandages will cover any incisions for protection and to help in the healing process. Cold compresses and oral pain medication will help minimize discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-surgical facial rejuvenation provide the same results as a facelift?

While non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments, such as injectable fillers, are a great way to postpone the need for more invasive surgery, they cannot accomplish the same level of correction offered by facelift surgery. A facelift addresses the underlying causes of facial aging and provides more dramatic and longer lasting facial enhancement.

Will my results be permanent?

The results of your facelift will show within six months and will be long lasting; however, no procedure can halt the further progression of aging. Factors such as heredity, bone structure, skin texture, and elasticity all contribute to the longevity of your results. To help prolong your results, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid the sun and practice good sun protection, and follow a proper skin care regimen.

Can I combine my facelift with any other procedure?

Facelift surgery targets signs of aging in the mid- and lower face. It does not address the upper portion of the face, such as the forehead and around the eyes. To achieve comprehensive and harmonious improvements, Dr. Reichner may suggest combining your facelift with an eyelid lift or brow lift. Facelifts are often combined with neck lift surgery and/or neck liposuction, as well.

Patient Testimonials

“Thank you for everything Doctor. I am very happy I went through with my facelift. My husband can’t stop telling me how beautiful I look, you literally turned the clock back!”

– Mrs. K.

Read More Testimonials

Schedule a Consultation

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Orange County Location

1310 W. Stewart Drive, Suite 303
Orange, CA 92868

Call Us: (714) 997-5200

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reichnerplasticsurgery

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Apr 12

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This weekend, Dr. Reichner traveled to his Medical School Reunion at Washington University in St. Louis! 🏥📚👨‍🎓 It’s always inspiring to reconnect with fellow alumni and reflect on the journey that led him to become the dedicated, double board-certified plastic surgeon he is today. 🩺🎖️ Celebrating past achievements and sharing stories of success, it’s moments like these that highlight the lifelong bonds and commitment to excellence formed at WashU. 🏆🥼 #WashUReunion #MedicalSchoolJourney #DrReichner #PlasticSurgery #MedicalAlumni

This weekend, Dr. Reichner traveled to his Medical School Reunion at Washington University in St. Louis! 🏥📚👨‍🎓

It’s always inspiring to reconnect with fellow alumni and reflect on the journey that led him to become the dedicated, double board-certified plastic surgeon he is today. 🩺🎖️

Celebrating past achievements and sharing stories of success, it’s moments like these that highlight the lifelong bonds and commitment to excellence formed at WashU. 🏆🥼

#WashUReunion #MedicalSchoolJourney #DrReichner #PlasticSurgery #MedicalAlumni ...

reichnerplasticsurgery

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Mar 20

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Yesterday, on our first day of being back in the new office, we received our 100th review. 🥹🤍🙏 Thank you so much to our amazing patients over the past 20+ years for your support and loyalty. We couldn’t run this practice without you. Seeing you happy every day makes all the hard work worth it. You are all like family to us. Please always feel free to call or text us if you need anything. Schedule your consultation and see the new office for yourself! 🤗 Call or text: 📱 714-997-5200 Visit: 🌎 www.drreichner.com Email: 📧 info@drreichner.com 📍 Orange County, CA 🗓️ Virtual Consults available Reichner Plastic Surgery Dr. Reichner M.D. F.A.C.S Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon #DrReichner #plasticsurgery #doubleboardcertified #plasticsurgeon #cosmetic #reichnerplasticsurgery #renovation #remodel #surgeryoffice #100threview #happypatients

Yesterday, on our first day of being back in the new office, we received our 100th review. 🥹🤍🙏

Thank you so much to our amazing patients over the past 20+ years for your support and loyalty. We couldn’t run this practice without you. Seeing you happy every day makes all the hard work worth it.

You are all like family to us. Please always feel free to call or text us if you need anything.

Schedule your consultation and see the new office for yourself! 🤗

Call or text: 📱 714-997-5200
Visit: 🌎 www.drreichner.com
Email: 📧 info@drreichner.com
📍 Orange County, CA
🗓️ Virtual Consults available

Reichner Plastic Surgery

Dr. Reichner M.D. F.A.C.S
Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

#DrReichner #plasticsurgery #doubleboardcertified #plasticsurgeon #cosmetic #reichnerplasticsurgery #renovation #remodel #surgeryoffice #100threview #happypatients ...

reichnerplasticsurgery

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Mar 19

Open
Reichner Plastic Surgery just got a facelift 😏 Finally… our surgery office remodel is finished! 😍 Today was our first official day of seeing patients. We can’t wait to see you! We thank all of our wonderful clients for your patience and support at this time of transition. We are also upgrading our Electronic Health Record system to better serve you. 🤗 Schedule your appointment today. 🤍 Call or text: 📱 714-997-5200 Visit: 🌎 www.drreichner.com Email: 📧 info@drreichner.com 📍 Orange County, CA 🗓️ Virtual Consults available Reichner Plastic Surgery Dr. Reichner M.D. F.A.C.S Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon 1310 W Stewart Dr STE 303, Orange, CA 92868 #DrReichner #plasticsurgery #doubleboardcertified #plasticsurgeon #cosmetic #reichnerplasticsurgery #renovation #transformation

Reichner Plastic Surgery just got a facelift 😏

Finally… our surgery office remodel is finished! 😍 Today was our first official day of seeing patients. We can’t wait to see you!

We thank all of our wonderful clients for your patience and support at this time of transition. We are also upgrading our Electronic Health Record system to better serve you. 🤗

Schedule your appointment today. 🤍

Call or text: 📱 714-997-5200
Visit: 🌎 www.drreichner.com
Email: 📧 info@drreichner.com
📍 Orange County, CA
🗓️ Virtual Consults available

Reichner Plastic Surgery
Dr. Reichner M.D. F.A.C.S
Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

1310 W Stewart Dr STE 303, Orange, CA 92868

#DrReichner #plasticsurgery #doubleboardcertified #plasticsurgeon #cosmetic #reichnerplasticsurgery #renovation #transformation ...