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Facelift San Francisco, CA

Timeless Rejuvenation

Deep Plane Facelift Surgery

When it comes to facial rejuvenation techniques, a facelift is considered a gold-standard solution, providing lasting and transformative outcomes. If you have tried energy-based treatments, injectables, and topical skincare products in the past with little success, you may be an excellent candidate for this revitalizing surgical procedure.

Dr. Ari Wes in San Francisco, CA, utilizes a deep-plane approach, resulting in minimal trauma to the superficial skin layer, expedited recovery, and an effortless, natural-looking outcome. Dr. Wes is an esteemed Ivy League-trained plastic surgeon who carefully customizes each treatment plan to reflect individual goals and aesthetic preferences.

Before After Gallery Results

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What is a Facelift?

In the past, outdated facelift techniques often left patients looking wind-swept or “pulled”. Today’s modern techniques prioritize natural, balanced results and favor a highly customized approach. During your deep-plane facelift in San Francisco, Dr. Wes will untether the facial ligaments, reposition the deep tissue and muscle layers, and artfully redrape the outermost skin layer to achieve an effortless transformation.

By focusing on gently elevating the skin rather than stretching it, a deep plane facelift reduces the overall risk of side effects, complications, necrosis, and injury. Incisions are inconspicuously placed, leading to minimal postoperative scarring.

Facelift Basics

Facelift Surgery Time

The procedure can take 3-5 hours.

Facelift Recovery Time

Initial recovery usually involves 2-3 weeks of downtime, with the full benefits of the procedure becoming evident over the course of 3-6 months.

Facelift Price Range

A deep plane facelift in San Francisco can range from $30,000 to over $75,000.

Doctor dressed in a professional dark blazer and white shirt, sits at a desk across from a patient. He is holding a digital tablet and using a stylus to point at an anatomical illustration of a face and ear, explaining a procedure during a consultation. The patient is seen from behind, showing her blonde hair and a black sweater. - Procedure in San Francisco, CA

Dr. Ari Wes – San Francisco’s Premier Facelift Surgeon

Dr. Ari Wes in San Francisco is an esteemed plastic surgeon specializing in advanced facial rejuvenation techniques, including the deep plane approach and craniofacial surgery. 

  • Dr. Ari Wes is an Ivy League-trained plastic surgeon.
  • Patients rely on Dr. Wes for elegant, nuanced outcomes and appreciate his compassionate and empowering consultation process
  • His core mission is to exceed expectations by curating customized treatment plans that reflect each patient’s unique vision for a more revitalized appearance.

A Nuanced, Holistic Approach to

Facial Rejuvenation

Dr. Wes’s approach to deep plane facelift includes the release of the retaining ligaments of the face, repositioning of the deeper muscle and connective tissue layers rather than relying on skin tension, and elevation of the SMAS-platysma complex. Less tension on the skin means faster healing, less scarring, and results that hold up over time.

When indicated, Dr. Wes also incorporates fat grafting into the procedure. Fat is harvested from another area of the body, processed, and placed into areas that have lost volume, whether that’s the cheeks, temples, or around the mouth. Fat grafting also improves the quality of the overlying skin, not just the volume. Pairing deep plane repositioning with selective fat transfer addresses both the structural descent and the volume loss that happen together as the face ages.

Other Facelift Procedures Performed at Wes Plastic Surgery

Mini-Facelift

A mini facelift is a modified version of a conventional facelift, ideal for younger individuals who are just beginning to notice signs of aging. The procedure can tackle skin laxity in the lower face, jowls, nasolabial folds, and a wilting jawline. Because the incisions with a mini facelift are shorter, the surgery results in smaller scars and less overall downtime.

Non-Surgical Facelift

For patients who are uneasy about choosing a surgical procedure, our team at Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco can perform a liquid or non-surgical facelift using neuromodulators like BOTOX and dermal fillers. This non-invasive approach can provide a subtle restoration to address lost facial volume, smooth away lines, creases, and folds, and restore symmetry and facial balance.

Secondary (Revision) Facelift

For patients in San Francisco who did not achieve their primary cosmetic goals with facelift surgery or who experienced postoperative complications, Dr. Wes can perform revision surgery, restoring comfort, peace of mind, and aesthetic balance. As an accomplished facial expert, Dr. Wes possesses the artistry and expertise to deliver a restorative result.

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Facelift?

Facelift surgery with Dr. Wes is recommended for San Francisco patients seeking elegant, nuanced results and a seamless treatment experience. To qualify for the procedure, you should be in good health, free from any uncontrolled medical concerns, a non-smoker, and at a stable weight for your frame. It is also important to have realistic expectations for your results based on an in-depth consultation with Dr. Wes and his team.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of loose, drooping skin, loss of jawline definition, jowls, nasolabial folds, and wrinkles, and think that you look older than you feel, please contact our team right away to book your preliminary consultation.

While most patients pursuing facelift surgery are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, overall health is a greater indicator of candidacy than chronological age. Dr. Wes will provide a thorough medical and physical assessment to make sure that your facelift can be performed safely and effectively.

What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?

Performed with artistry and meticulous detail by Dr. Wes in San Francisco, a facelift delivers a range of impressive benefits, including the following:

  • Rewinds the clock on aging
  • Smooth away lines, wrinkles, and creases
  • Enhances facial balance, proportion, and symmetry
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • Causes minimal trauma to the outermost skin layer
  • Sharpens and redefines the jawline
  • Firms and tones lax skin
  • Corrects the appearance of jowls and nasolabial folds
  • Creates a more attractive, inviting appearance
  • Heightens self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Offers lasting, transformative outcomes
  • Minimal scarring
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What’s the First Step?

To get started with your procedure, begin by calling the office and talking to Julie, our practice manager. There’s no charge, no pressure, and no commitment. She’ll answer your initial questions, walk you through what the process looks like, and help you figure out whether booking a consultation with Dr. Wes makes sense.

If it does, you’ll come in for a full in-person consultation where Dr. Wes examines your anatomy, talks through your goals, and puts together a surgical plan specific to you.

Dr. Wes will go through your medical history, examine your face, and talk through what’s changed over time. He’ll explain how his deep plane technique works, how it differs from older approaches, and what to realistically expect from surgery and recovery.

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5 Steps Every Patient Should Take Before Having a Facelift With Dr. Wes

When preparing for facelift surgery with Dr. Wes in San Francisco, CA, patients should consider the following steps:

  1. Attend an Introductory Consultation – Undergoing a thorough consultation and medical review with Dr. Wes and his team provides a framework to discuss goals, expectations, and recovery details. It also allows for an aligned aesthetic understanding between doctor and patient.
  2. Quit Smoking – If you smoke, you will be asked to quit 4-6 weeks before and after surgery, as smoking can compromise not only your healing process but also your results.
  3. Undergo Additional Medical Testing – If Dr. Wes requests it, you may need to undergo additional lab testing, ensuring your procedure can be safely and effectively performed.
  4. Adjust Your Medication Schedule – Dr. Wes may ask you to discontinue taking certain medications and supplements that could potentially increase your risk of bleeding, bruising, or swelling.
  5. Plan for Recovery Ahead of Time – To ensure a seamless recovery process, be sure to fill prescriptions early, schedule a family member or friend to pick you up after surgery, and prepare your home environment for recuperation.

What to Expect on the Day of Facelift Surgery

On the day of your facelift at Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, you will be welcomed into our world-class practice and placed in our comfortable, climate-controlled surgical suite. After briefly reviewing any last-minute questions and going over your treatment plan, we will administer anesthesia, allowing you to fall into a deep sleep and remain pain-free throughout your treatment.

To begin, Dr. Wes will create tiny incisions along the hairline and within the fine creases surrounding the ears. This ensures that postoperative scarring is well-hidden and inconspicuous. Next, the doctor will release the underlying facial ligaments, firm and elevate the platysma muscle, and reposition the connective tissue to achieve a natural-looking rejuvenation effect. This minimal tension approach leads to optimal skin healing with few side effects.

Once all changes have been completed, Dr. Wes will close your incisions carefully and place you in our recovery area to be monitored until the doctor feels it is safe for you to return home.

Doctor dressed in a professional dark blazer and white shirt, sits at a desk across from a patient. He is holding a digital tablet and using a stylus to point at an anatomical illustration of a face and ear, explaining a procedure during a consultation. The patient is seen from behind, showing her blonde hair and a black sweater. - Procedure in San Francisco, CA
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Combine Your Facelift With a Neck Lift

To maximize your results and further rewind the clock on aging, Dr. Wes can combine your deep plane facelift with a neck lift. This popular contouring solution smooths away crepe-like skin, eradicates troublesome vertical neck bands, and sculpts the submental region, restoring a youthful, attractive profile.

Facelift Recovery Timeline

Your Guide to Post-Facelift Care

Because deep plane facelift surgery comes with minimal trauma to the superficial skin layer, the recovery process is typically seamless and stress-free. You can expect the following healing timeline to unfold:

  • The first several days – In the first few days after surgery, you may encounter swelling, bruising, and soreness in the targeted areas. You will have access to prescription painkillers to help alleviate discomfort and ensure a stress-free healing process. When you sleep, make sure to elevate your head, as this can help to reduce swelling during early recovery. Any drains placed by the doctor will be removed within 24 to 48 hours.
  • The first several weeks – During this phase of your recovery, you should continue to steer clear of strenuous workouts and heavy lifting. However, you will be permitted to take short, gentle walks right away after surgery, helping to enhance circulation, prevent certain complications, and elevate your mood. Most patients can resume normal activities like driving, working, and applying makeup within 7 to 10 days.
  • The first several months – Within 4 to 6 weeks, Dr. Wes typically clears patients to resume strenuous exercise. By this juncture, swelling and bruising will have almost completely resolved. You should continue to attend all scheduled follow-up visits with Dr. Wes in San Francisco.
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5 Tips For Your Facelift Recovery

For best results with your customized facelift in San Francisco, please follow these critical tips:

  1. Keep Your Head Elevated – Whether resting or sleeping, keeping your head slightly elevated at a 30 to 45-degree angle for the first week of healing can help reduce swelling. Sleeping in a recliner is also an excellent option.
  2. Reduce Swelling By Using a Cold Compress – Using an ice pack or cool compress for the first 48 hours of recovery can help minimize postoperative swelling. But don’t apply direct pressure or extreme cold for too long, as this could damage the delicate facial tissues.
  3. Stick to a Healthy Diet and Hydrate Often – Choosing a healthy, nutrient-rich diet can support your healing process and expedite recovery. Staying properly hydrated is also key when it comes to reducing swelling.
  4. Choose Gentle, Light Activity – During the early stages of recovery, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and bending over. But that doesn’t mean you can’t move! Taking light walks can enhance circulation, prevent certain complications, and ensure your overall well-being and positive outlook.
  5. Avoid Sun Exposure – Staying out of the sun’s harmful UV rays is integral to ensuring an optimal healing process. Scars can darken when exposed to high temperatures and bright sun, so keep your incisions protected, clean, and dry.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in San Francisco, CA?

The cost of a facelift in San Francisco can vary based on your unique aesthetic goals, the extent of your concerns, and whether your procedure is paired with other transformative cosmetic and wellness solutions offered at Wes Plastic Surgery. After Dr. Wes completes your initial medical review and consultation, our team will provide a detailed and personalized price quote.

Why Choose Dr. Wes?

Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA, is a modern, technologically advanced practice built around the artistry, skill, and penchant for excellence exemplified by Dr. Ari Wes, an Ivy League-trained plastic surgeon with a background in NIH-funded research. These credentials matter most in facelift surgery, where the gap between a good result and a mediocre one comes down to surgical judgment and technical ability more than almost any other procedure.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Dr. Wes has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and is known for his thoughtful insights in his field. His specialized approach leads to outcomes that consistently appear natural, effortless, and personalized.

Patients have come to rely on Dr. Wes for transparent, thoughtful assessments and procedures that offer long-term improvement and stability rather than quick fixes or fleeting trends. Each consultation is unhurried, thorough, and informative, empowering patients with the knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions for their care.

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