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Facelift in San Jose & Palo Alto

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american academy of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery logo the aesthetics society logo american medical association logo American Osteopathic Association logo american society of plastic surgeons logo california society of plastic surgeons logo fellow american college of surgeons logo facial plastic surgery logo american academy of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery logo the aesthetics society logo american medical association logo American Osteopathic Association logo american society of plastic surgeons logo california society of plastic surgeons logo fellow american college of surgeons logo facial plastic surgery logo american academy of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery logo the aesthetics society logo american medical association logo American Osteopathic Association logo american society of plastic surgeons logo california society of plastic surgeons logo fellow american college of surgeons logo facial plastic surgery logo american academy of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery logo the aesthetics society logo american medical association logo American Osteopathic Association logo american society of plastic surgeons logo california society of plastic surgeons logo fellow american college of surgeons logo facial plastic surgery logo ASF logo

Rediscover A Radiant You

Illuminate recognizes the profound impact your beauty has on your self-confidence. In today's age of selfies, video calls, and social media, you might be considering a facial transformation that brings back a youthful, seamless, and vibrant radiance, empowering you to embrace life's pleasures. Our attentive team is ready to understand your aspirations and assess whether a Palo Alto or San Jose facelift at either of our Illuminate facilities aligns with your desires. Explore further to discover how our seasoned and reliable plastic surgeons in San Jose and Palo Alto can guide you towards looking and feeling your absolute best.

TREATMENT TIME

3-4 Hours

PATIENT DOWNTIME

10-14 Days

TREATMENT SERIES

1

PROCEDURE TYPE

Outpatient

What is a Facelift?

Illuminate Plastic Surgery, located in Palo Alto and San Jose, specializes in the most impactful method for addressing signs of aging — the facelift. Also referred to as "rhytidectomy", our facelift procedures produce a rejuvenated and more youthful appearance by addressing various facets of facial aging. This includes the removal of excess skin, the tightening of underlying muscles, and strategic repositioning or augmentation of fat to areas lacking volume. Facelift results often surpass those of other facial rejuvenation procedures due to their long-lasting, durable nature. To ensure a personalized and comprehensive outcome, facelifts can be seamlessly combined with procedures like blepharoplasty, brow lift, or facial fat transfer. Before scheduling your procedure, Dr. Leader or Dr. Boudreault will meticulously evaluate your facial structure, listen to your concerns regarding aging, and propose a tailored solution to achieve your unique aesthetic goals.

Palo Alto & San Jose Facelift model smiling

How Does A Facelift Work?

Facial aging, a nuanced progression we all must experience at some point, affects both the skin and the foundational structures beneath it. Within the context of providing an age-defying facelift San Jose and Palo Alto plastic surgeons, Dr. Leader and Dr. Boudreault, unleash a meticulous and expert process upon father time: repositioning and tightening the underlying muscles, addressing unwanted facial fat and skin; intricately restoring your facial contours. The result is a naturally rejuvenated appearance that harmonizes with your unique structure and aligns with your personalized aesthetic objectives.

What Facial Concerns Can a Facelift Address?

A Palo Alto or San Jose facelift administered by our expert Illuminate surgeons will help you achieve a more polished and youthful aesthetic. This transformative procedure typically involves the meticulous removal and tightening of loose, sagging skin, the elevation of cheeks, a refinement of the jawline (jowls), uplifting the corners of the mouth, and the smoothing of creases between the cheeks and lips, known as marionette lines. The goal is to create a seamlessly rejuvenated appearance that reflects a smoother and more youthful version of yourself.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

If you are in good health, a non-smoker, and dealing with moderate to severe indications of facial aging or facial fat, you might be an ideal candidate for a facelift in San Jose or Palo Alto with Illuminate. Adequate skin elasticity further affects one's candidacy. During your initial consultation, hand all your concerns over to the attentive ears of Dr. Leader or Dr. Boudreault, who are committed to offering the solutions necessary for you to make an informed decision for yourself on whether or not to pursue a San Jose or Palo Alto facelift with them, or perhaps to proceed with other facial procedure options.

Why Should I Choose Illuminate?

Prioritizing a San Jose or Palo Alto plastic surgeon who understands your goals and instills faith in your achieving optimal results with a facelift is likely of the highest importance. And, while all surgeons will be trained to greater or lesser degree, considerations such as their amount of training, skill, and experience hold significant weight as well. Dr. Brittany Leader and Dr. David Boudreault, both Double Board Certified plastic surgeons, stand out as seasoned specialists in facial plastic surgery. Their extensive training and experience underscore their unwavering commitment to consistently achieving the highest-quality results for each of their patients.

Preparing For Your Facelift Consultation

Embark on your journey towards a world-class facelift by setting up a 30-to-60-minute consultation with one of our doctors. In it, a comprehensive review of your medical history will be conducted, and notes on your current medications and supplements will be taken. Come prepared with questions and an outline of your aesthetic goals as this initial meeting will serve as a platform for discussing various options tailored to align best with your unique goals and preferences.

Palo Alto & San Jose facelift model with brown hair

The Cost of a Bay Area Facelift

The average cost of a facelift in San Jose or Palo Alto is between $21,000 to $28,000, depending on the surgical technique used and patient goals. This encompasses all associated expenses, including facility fees, anesthesia, and necessary follow-up maintenance appointments. For added convenience, we offer financing options through CareCredit or Alphaeon, allowing patients to spread out payments in smaller monthly installments. Additionally, some patients have opted for credit cards with extended 0% interest terms.

An Outline of Your Facelift Surgery

During your surgical procedure for a facelift Palo Alto & San Jose plastic surgeon, (either) Dr. Boudreault or Dr. Leader, will make discreet incisions around the natural creases of your ears and hairline.

The skin is then carefully lifted to reveal the underlying facial musculature, scientifically referred to as the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS). This is strategically adjusted to enhance the cheekbone and/or to aesthetically increase the width of the upper face, restoring a youthful contour and addressing sagging jowls upon further removal or redistribution of excess fat and skin. Dr. Leader's offering of an advanced technique called the deep plane facelift leaves the skin’s connection to underlying facial structures intact, producing impeccably natural results.

By focusing on your face’s structural elements, you can achieve the most authentic and longest-lasting results possible. As an additional part of your Palo Alto or San Jose facelift, a neck lift is often included to address neck fat deposits and sagging skin. For patients with minimal sagging, a "mini" facelift is an effective option with shorter incisions. Our AAAASF accredited surgical facilities in Palo Alto and San Jose host these procedures under general anesthesia, with the surgical procedure ranging from two to four hours, depending on your customized surgical plan and aesthetic goals.

Recovery from Your Facelift Surgery

After surgery, you will return home with a head bandage and small drainage tubes, which are removed the day after surgery at a follow-up visit.

Having a friend or family member as a care partner in the initial 24-48 hours is strongly advisable. Discomfort in the first days of your facelift post-surgery can be managed with pain medications prescribed by your doctor at your pre-operative appointment. Expect temporary swelling and bruising peaking around days three or four and resolving within a few weeks. Adhering to specific instructions on keeping incisions and bandages dry is a crucial part of recovery, and bathing protocols should be followed diligently.

Following facelift surgery San Jose and Palo Alto patients alike can typically take their first follow-up shower the day after bandage removal. It's normal to experience numbness and muscle stiffness, which gradually diminishes over several weeks. While early mobility is encouraged, engaging in vigorous exercise isn't advised until after minimally a four-week recovery period. When it comes to the healing process, our doctors prioritize your safety first, which ultimately ensures the swiftest recovery and the most optimal results for each patient.

Palo Alto & San Jose facelift model with black hair

Your Facelift Results

As bruising and swelling subsides in the coming weeks, you will begin to see your results taking shape. Bruising typically disappears within two weeks, while swelling will last a few weeks to months. Your post-op plan may include lymphatic massage after surgery to reduce post-operative swelling, which is available in our practice.

Schedule a Consultation for a Facelift With Illuminate Doctors Today

Dr. Brittany Leader is a Beverly Hills-trained facial plastic surgeon who now specializes in creating gorgeous, natural-looking facelifts San Jose and Palo Alto patients adore. Recognized from her time on the E! TV series "Botched", Dr. Leader was part of an elite plastic surgery team that corrected and improved previously botched procedures. Dr. David Boudreault, a renowned general and plastic surgeon, brings extensive anatomical expertise to tailor each patient's treatment for stunningly natural results. Our team is dedicated to guiding you on the journey to rediscovering a more youthful and natural-looking you. Schedule a consultation with our doctors today.

Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

You will have some discomfort for a couple of days following your surgery. However, your doctor will prescribe a pain narcotic as appropriate to ensure a comfortable recovery.

There is no restrictive age range, but most facelift patients are in their 40s to 70s. In more recent data, there is a growing number of San Jose and Palo Alto facelift patients in their 30s. Your trusted surgeon will customize your surgical plan to you, and may even suggest alternative non-surgical treatments.

All surgeries carry some risks. During your pre-operative appointment, our doctors will assess your medical history and discuss these risks with you and offer their expert guidance. Possible risks may include:

  • Infection
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Scarring
  • Poor wound healing
  • Adverse reaction to anesthesia
  • Allergic reaction to medications or materials
  • Nerve injury
  • Blood clots
  • Hair loss at incision sites

After an Illuminate facelift San Jose and Palo Alto patients can expect results to last for up to 15 years, especially with ongoing commitment to a good skin care routine including sun damage prevention. In fact, with proper care, the results of your facelift can be maintained for a lifetime.

While facelifts were once predominantly sought by women, an increasing number of San Jose and Palo Alto facelift pursuers are now male, presumably due to pop cultural influences having come a long way in recognizing the personal, professional, and confidence-boosting advantages of anyone in need undergoing this transformative procedure.

Given that a facelift is considered a cosmetic procedure rather than a medical necessity, the cost of your Palo Alto or San Jose facelift is not likely to be covered by any insurance providers.

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“I had my Brazilian Butt Lift in 2017 with Dr. Boudreault and I couldn’t be any happier with my results. My butt and hips look SO natural – my only regret was not doing it sooner!”

“I fully trust Dr. B and will go to him for all my procedures. He really cares about his clients and their results.”

“The day after my surgery when the garment came off, I almost cried. Dr. B exceeded my expectations and gave me an even BETTER body than I had imagined.”

At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.

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