Facelift

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a rejuvenating cosmetic procedure that reinvigorates a patient’s overall facial contour for a natural, rested result, making them look more youthful without any of the telltale signs that they have had surgery.

Plastic surgeons perform facelifts to correct signs of aging using advanced techniques that produce subtle but significant results in multiple areas. The surgery can improve the appearance of deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines, reduce prominent jowls, and improve jawline and chin contour. Frequently combined with a neck lift to optimize results, a facelift can improve a patient’s confidence and can make them look 10 to 15 years younger than they really are.

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Dr. Manuel Gutierrez Romero is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. He epitomizes passion and expertise in the realm of cosmetic surgery, and is particularly renowned for his mastery in achieving the most natural-looking facelift results. With over 26 years of experience performing cosmetic procedures, he cares deeply about each patient’s comfort and safety from the first consultation to the final follow-up visit. He performs procedures for patients from the United States, Mexico, and all around the world with compassion and great attention to detail, creating personalized treatment plans that forego the stigma of “obvious looking” plastic surgery, instead accentuating his patients’ natural beauty for years to come.

You can correct your most concerning signs of facial aging with this singular procedure with results that are so natural-looking, nobody will be able to tell you have had a facelift! If you are considering this surgery in Tijuana, please do not hesitate to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Gutierrez today by filling out this contact form. To contact Cosmetic & Bariatric Surgery Center by phone, please call us at:

Combatting Facial Aging

As we experience the physical signs of aging, the skin and musculature of the face shift and stretch due to the external forces of gravity and internal factors such as collagen and elastin depletion. This leads to wrinkles, ptosis (sagging) of the skin, the formation of jowls, and volume loss around the eyes and cheekbones. To remedy this, a facelift detaches the skin from the underlying structures, lifts the drooping muscle layer, and removes excess skin via discreet, well-hidden incisions around the ear and along the hairline.

Achieving a Natural Look

Facelift procedures are consistently in the top 5 most frequently performed plastic surgeries in the world. This is due to wide-reaching results and high patient satisfaction rates. With advanced and highly personalized techniques to suit each individual, gone are the days of the excessively “pulled” or “windswept” look. Scar placement is discreet, there is no pooling effect, and there is no distortion of the eyes and mouth. Dr. Gutierrez plans facelift procedures specifically for each patient’s individual anatomy and cosmetic desires to ensure they are met. There is more than one approach to face lifting, including the traditional rhytidectomy, deep plane facelift, and mini facelift. It can also be combined with an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) to target sagging and puffiness in the upper and lower eyelids. Each variation addresses specific patient concerns to achieve optimal results.

The Traditional Facelift

A traditional facelift targets signs of aging along the cheeks, midface, jawline, and neck. The surgeon makes an incision along the hairline from the temple and around the ear. If a neck lift is included in the procedure plan, the incision is extended and a small incision just beneath the chin is included. After carefully separating the skin from the underlying tissues, the surgeon places sutures to elevate the treatment area, eliminating jowling and improving the jawline. The surgeon redrapes and trims the skin before precisely suturing the incision to avoid noticeable scarring. ⁽¹⁾ Once excess skin is removed, the internal sutures allow for very little tension to collect along the external incision, aiding in the healing process. ⁽²⁾

A Personalized Procedure with Dr. Gutierrez

With an impressive career spanning over 26 years, Dr. Gutierrez has honed his surgical skills and is passionate about delivering outstanding results to his patients. His approach begins with meticulous attention to detail, starting at the corner of the brow and delicately elevating tissues while skillfully tightening the muscles of the cheek to address cheek hollowing. What sets his work apart is the absence of excessive pulling, ensuring that results are balanced and well-distributed without any distortion of facial features. Moreover, his technique encompasses targeting neck fat deposits, addressing muscle banding, and resolving loose skin under the chin, leaving his patients not only looking rejuvenated but also feeling confident in their appearance.

Other Types of Facelift

Facelift Benefits

This procedure provides patients with the following benefits:

Facelifts are customizable and can be easily combined with other cosmetic procedures to improve the overall results. It is a flexible surgery that Dr. Gutierrez personalizes for each patient.

When Is The Best Time For a Facelift?

Dr. Gutierrez believes the ideal time for a facelift is when a person begins to notice an overall tired appearance in their face that will not go away. The person may notice volume loss and skin sagging in places it did not before, and may manipulate their skin to see what a “tighter” appearance would look like. Recognizing this shift prompts consideration for a facelift, to restore a fresher, more youthful appearance and boost self-assurance.

Ideal Facelift Candidates

Candidates for a facelift have moderate to severe signs of facial aging around the cheeks, nasolabial area, mouth, jawline, and neck. You should be in overall good health with no underlying medical conditions that may negatively affect healing. If you smoke, Dr. Gutierrez requires that you quit in the weeks before your surgery date. Those with more subtle signs of aging may be better candidates for a less invasive treatment such as laser skin resurfacing.

Personal Consultation with Dr. Gutierrez

You will meet with Dr. Gutierrez either in person or virtually to discuss the details of your facelift. He will perform a physical examination of the treatment area to determine both your overall health and cosmetic concerns. If he deems you a good candidate, he will then thoroughly explain the procedure process and which type of facelift he recommends for your needs. You will provide him with your medical history and a complete list of your daily medications, should any changes be required. After your consultation is through, his staff will assist you in scheduling your facelift surgery.

How to Prepare for a Facelift

To prepare for surgery, please refrain from smoking tobacco and nicotine products for at least 6 weeks before and after your appointment. These substances can cause complications and lengthen the recovery process. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and vitamin E as they thin the blood and may affect bleeding during your surgery. It is okay to use Tylenol instead for minor aches and pains. It is important to follow Dr. Gutierrez’s pre-procedure instructions very carefully to encourage a safe and successful facelift. Before your surgery, please do the following:

Recovery & Results

The recovery period for facelift procedures takes place over 4 to 6 weeks, however, downtime is only necessary for a small portion of this time. During the first postoperative week, the treatment area may swell and may develop bruising which will subside relatively quickly throughout the initial stage of your recovery. After the second week, most patients return to work and other activities, but Dr. Gutierrez advises all patients to avoid strenuous exercise for at least the first month. He provides detailed recovery instructions that explain what to expect after surgery.

The final results of a facelift are incredibly long-lasting. They can last 10 to 15 years or longer depending on the patient. The face looks more youthful and smooth, the jawline is better defined, and stubborn signs of aging like nasolabial folds and jowls dissipate. To best maintain results, remember to apply sunscreen every day and implement a consistent skincare routine.

Complementary Procedures

Eyelid Surgery

Also referred to as an eyelid lift or blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery removes drooping skin and bulging fat deposits from the eyelids to revitalize the area. For upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Gutierrez makes an incision along the lid’s natural crease. From there, he can reposition or remove small amounts of fat to smooth the area. He then removes a small section of skin, lifting and tightening the lid.

During lower eyelid surgery, he makes an incision on either the inside or the outside of the lower lid to access the internal fat pads. He can then shift and remove portions to improve under-eye bags and dark circles. You may require either upper, lower, or both to address signs of aging around the eyes. This surgery pairs extremely well with a facelift.

Lip Lift

A lip lift enhances the appearance of the lips, creating a more defined and youthful upper lip. Unlike lip augmentation, which focuses on adding volume to the lips using injectable fillers, a lip lift addresses issues such as a long upper lip or a loss of lip definition.

The bullhorn lip lift technique involves making a small incision under the nose to remove excess skin and lift the upper lip, creating a more youthful and defined lip contour. This procedure enhances the vermilion border, exposes more of the upper teeth, and shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip for a balanced, rejuvenated appearance.

Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting is a technique that combines autologous fat transfer with the traditional facelift procedure. Also known as facial fat transfer, this procedure involves harvesting fat from one area of the body, purifying it, and then injecting it into specific areas of the face to restore volume and create natural-looking contours. This technique offers a natural alternative to synthetic fillers and helps address facial volume loss and signs of aging.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers, commonly used to augment facelift results, have become a popular choice for those seeking additional minimally invasive options to enhance their appearance. Dr. Gutierrez strategically places these injectable products to restore lost volume, improve contours, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Chin Implants

A chin implant procedure, also known as chin augmentation or mentoplasty, is designed to enhance and reshape the chin, providing patients with improved facial contouring and jawline enhancement.Chin implants can complement a facelift by enhancing overall facial harmony and balance, providing additional definition and projection. This combination can achieve more comprehensive rejuvenation, improving the profile and aesthetic balance of the face.

Cost of a Facelift in Tijuana

Since each patient’s needs differ, every facelift that Dr. Gutierrez performs is customized for the individual and based on a unique treatment plan. He explains your procedure plan and pricing options during your private consultation at Cosmetic & Bariatric Surgery Center. Schedule an appointment today by filling out this convenient form or by calling:

FAQ

References

1. Sanan A, Most SP. Rhytidectomy (Face-Lift Surgery). JAMA. 2018;320(22):2387. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17292
2. Hatan Mortada, Najla Alkilani, Halawani IR, et al. Evolution of Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System Facelift Techniques: a Comprehensive Systematic Review of Complications and Outcomes. JPRAS Open. 2023;39. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2023.06.003