People often think of facial plastic surgery as an a la carte menu from which you choose a single procedure, such as a facelift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery. At my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, on the other hand, I recommend combinations that address a number of specific aesthetic concerns in a single operation.
There are several reasons it makes sense to combine 2 or more procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical. Even though some areas, such as the neck or the area around the eyes, may start showing signs of aging earlier than other facial features, most women and men can benefit from addressing multiple aesthetic concerns at once.
One excellent example is the patient featured in this YouTube video, a 64-year-old man who underwent upper and lower eyelid surgery in addition to having a facelift and a neck lift.
The Benefits of Combining Procedures
When I meet with patients who have scheduled a facelift consultation, I use the opportunity to explain why combining other procedures can help them achieve results that will make them much happier than a standalone facelift. It’s a concept I call “total rejuvenation,” and it can include both surgical and nonsurgical procedures like laser skin resurfacing or cosmetic injectables.
What are the benefits of pursuing this comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation? They include:
- Balanced, harmonious results: Facial harmony is a concept that’s often discussed by plastic surgeons. Balanced results are not only symmetrical, but they also ensure that facial features appear proportional to each other. Symmetry in nature is universally considered attractive and that is true of facial features, too, which is why symmetry is one of the primary goals of facial plastic surgery.
- More dramatic results: Dramatic, however, doesn’t equal unnatural. The goal is to have patients look like themselves, but 10 to 15 years younger. A facelift alone often can’t create those types of results because people may have sagging eyelids, sun-damaged skin, or other concerns that undermine the facelift results.
- Only one mental and physical preparation for your procedure: Undergoing facial plastic surgery typically produces a mix of excitement and anxiety for patients. It also requires some physical preparation that may include stopping certain medications, refraining from alcohol, or other adjustments. Combining procedures means having to go through these preparations only once, in addition to planning for only a single recovery. The recovery following surgery that combines procedures is typically the same as for having only a facelift.
- Only one set of costs. Some fees may be combined, so you’ll only have to pay them once. Combining procedures can actually make the cost more affordable because you won’t need to pay certain fees for separate operations.
Additionally, reducing the number of procedures means minimizing the need to be placed under anesthesia more than once.
What Is a ‘Traceless Facelift’?
The combination of facial rejuvenation procedures usually involves a facelift. I’ve developed a signature “traceless facelift” technique that creates dramatic results, turning back the clock and camouflaging incisions. This is done by making the incisions around the ear lobe, following the cartilage in the ear, and maintaining the definition of a little piece of cartilage called the tragus. It’s a meticulous technique that allows for full facial rejuvenation without any noticeable signs of surgery.
You can see a great example of my technique in this Instagram post featuring a patient who returned to my practice years after undergoing a traceless facelift. You’ll also be able to see how combining procedures can address multiple concerns:
What Procedures Can Be Combined?
There isn’t really a limit on the types of aesthetic procedures that can be included in a single operation, although I ensure that patients won’t spend too much time under anesthesia. The procedures most often involved in facial rejuvenation operations include:
Laser skin resurfacing: I use fractional CO2 laser treatments for patients with sun-damaged skin, wrinkles, or skin discoloration. An ablative laser requires only a single treatment to obtain the desired results.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty: These procedures, especially upper eyelid surgery, create a more rested look.
Brow lift: Men or women with sagging brows will notice a dramatic difference when this procedure is combined with other facial rejuvenation surgery.
Chin augmentation: Well-defined chins and jawlines are key features of youthful faces. Fillers can accomplish this goal but require maintenance injections.
I customize surgical plans based on each patient’s unique concerns and cosmetic goals after examining the facial bone structure and quality of the skin. If you’re interested in discussing your options for facial rejuvenation, including a facelift, at our Los Angeles practice, contact us using the online form to request a consultation. Or call us at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment. Virtual consultations are also available.
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