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Dr. Hessler's Facelift Patient Before & Afters

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*Individual results may vary

What is a facelift?

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure designed to improve the visible signs of aging by removing extra skin and wrinkles from the cheeks, jowls, and lower neck. A facelift delivers highly effective and long-lasting results for both men and women, restoring their self-esteem and boosting their confidence. 

Key benefits of a facelift

  • Corrects sagging of the mid-face
  • Softens creases under the eyes
  • Tightens lax skin around the jowls
  • Smooths folds of the face and neck
  • Lessens marionette lines
  • Tightens the muscles of the face
  • Removes loose skin under the chin
  • Creates smoother facial contours
  • Provides a more youthful and attractive appearance
Pretty woman looking up with face resting on hand

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Why get a facelift?

Sun and smoke exposure, environmental factors, medical conditions, and heredity can accelerate the visible signs of aging such as sagging skin and wrinkles. In addition to this, gravity and the loss of youthful volume in the face begin to disappear after our 20s. As the years go by, the mid-face loses more and more of that volume and starts to appear flatter, sunken, and more hollow. A facelift procedure can improve these areas by tightening the support structure beneath the skin. Most facelift patients are between the ages of 40 to 70 years old, and have moderate to severe wrinkles and/or sagging skin. Those who are just starting to see the early signs of aging in the mid-face and neck are ideal candidates for a facelift.

What is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique that targets the deeper layers of facial tissue to achieve comprehensive, natural-looking facial rejuvenation. Unlike traditional facelifts that focus primarily on the lower face, the deep plane facelift lifts and repositions the midface, cheeks, jowls, and neck as a single unit. This prevents the “pulled” or unnatural look that can sometimes result from more superficial techniques. The result is a smoother, more balanced appearance that looks refreshed—not overdone.

Key benefits of a facelift

  • Replaces the mid-facial tissues back into the cheek to create a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance
  • Creates more volume in the cheek from the surgical elevation
  • Achieves natural-looking results because the deep SMAS is used for support to avoid the tension on the skin, which can create a “windswept” look
  • Delivers long-lasting support and long-lasting results
  • Offers less bruising and swelling due to the deeper level of dissection

Can other procedures be performed with a deep plane facelift?

Facelift patients often choose to have other procedures performed to enhance their results. To address the eye and brow area, a brow lift or eye lift is often done to elevate the rejuvenation that’s achieved with a deep plane facelift. Dr. Hessler also often adds a stem cell fat transfer to the facelift surgery to create additional long-lasting volume to depleted areas of the face.

Dr. Jill Hessler

Dr. Jill Hessler is a leading plastic surgeon and the trusted choice for patients seeking a facelift in Palo Alto, San Jose, and the Bay Area. Dr. Hessler has helped many patients achieve the results they desire. She is a leading pioneer in the field of facial plastic surgery. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Hessler has dedicated years of study to the face, with an emphasis on subtle changes to the appearance while also improving or maintaining a natural appearance. She has performed hundreds of facelift procedures. Facelifts, and it's different variations, are some of her top procedures and areas of focus, and she currently holds a position as Chair of the Women on the Facial Plastic Surgery committee at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive.

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Facelift surgery details

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation administered by an anesthesiologist. Patients are sleeping and not awake during the surgery, as medications maintain a sedated state, but breathing tubes and ventilators are not necessary during this safer approach to facelift surgery. Our plastic surgery patients prefer this safer approach of IV sedation with their facelift as this allows a quicker recovery and less nausea and grogginess following the surgery. Even when other procedures such as eyelid surgery, facial fat transfer, laser skin resurfacing, or a brow lift are combined with a facelift, Dr. Hessler has refined the procedures to allow twilight sedation to be used safely and effectively for these combination treatments. 

To begin the facelift, Dr. Hessler will make an incision along the contours of the ear, hiding the incision inside the ear so they are minimally visible.  This incision is then extended behind the ear for a variable length depending on the amount of skin laxity that needs to be addressed.  For male facelift patients, the incisions are adjusted to accommodate the hair growth on a man’s beard, and special considerations are taken to incorporate the unique qualities of the male skin and hair.  

For female patients, Dr. Hessler uses a camouflage technique to hide the incisions behind the cartilage of the ear so only a limited portion of the incision is visible. The overlying skin is then re-draped to create a more youthful contour. Once this process is complete, the incisions are closed meticulously with fine sutures that are removed about a week later.

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Facelift Recovery

Depending on the extent of your procedure, you will have a bandage wrapped around your face for the first couple days following your facelift. You will need to have someone stay with you for 24 hours following surgery to help you.

If you need additional assistance after this, we will be happy to refer you to a trained nurse who provides comprehensive care during the time surrounding your facelift.

For the first two days after your procedure, you may experience some tightness and discomfort. Dr. Hessler can prescribe pain medications to help with this. Most patients need 10 to 14 days away from work and normal activities. During this time, swelling and discoloration will come and go and you will give yourself plenty of time to properly heal. You should sleep with your head elevated and avoid exercise or other intensive activities for 6 to 8 weeks.

Dr. Hessler's Facelift Patient Reviews

Cat Katz

Jill Hessler is the best!! I have had a number of procedures from her- a brow lift with such incredible and careful work that she did a hairline closure (trycho...

Becki Clague

Dr. Jill, Has been my go-to Doctor for over 10 years, starting out as a confidant discussing the changes in my face with normal aging. Dr. Hessler has a great e...

Sondra Bishop

Dr Hessler is an extremely talented plastic surgeon. She is knowledgeable, informative and above all kind. If you are looking for a doctor that listens to wha...

Iryna Kwasny

Dr. Hessler is kind, patient,a good listener and really know how to make her patients look their best.

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Facelift Results

Once healed, the incision lines from your facelift will be well-concealed within the hairline and within the natural contours of the face and ear. Final results will be apparent within about four months. These results can last up to ten years. 

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Hessler Plastic Surgery

Hessler Plastic Surgery for the best facelift in Palo Alto, San Jose, and the Bay Area

Hessler Plastic Surgery delivers the best facelift in Palo Alto, San Jose, and the Bay Area. As an award-winning, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jill Hessler delivers facial enhancement that looks natural and brings out her patients’ existing beauty. The facelift procedure is one of Dr. Hessler’s areas of focus and top procedures.

When you choose Hessler Plastic Surgery, you experience a team of highly trained registered nurses and staff who make it their goal to take excellent care of you, from your first consultation to your last follow-up. To learn more about the mini facelift or schedule a consultation, please contact us.

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