Face Lift
Excellence in Face Lift
Facelift Overview
Definition
Facelift is a cosmetic procedure that address the signs of facial aging.
Characteristics
Aged appearance resulting from sagging skin, wrinkles, and volume loss.
Common Complaints
- Sagging skin
- Wrinkles/folds
- Volume loss/hallowed appearance
- Lack of facial shape
- Mouth turned down
- Look tired or angry
- Chin fat
- Neck banding
- Turkey neck
Facelift Before/After Examples
Surgery Information
Anesthesia: Local or general
Facility: In-office or accredited outpatient surgical facility
Recovery: Back to work 10-14 days, longer if your job is strenuous or requires physical activity
Cost: The price of a facelift varies depending on what needs to be done, whether it is a mini facelift or full facelift, and whether a neck lift is needed at the same time or not, as well as the anesthesia used (local vs. general). Typically, the cost varies from $15,000 to $30,000. Many times patients add-on additional procedures such as: upper/lower eyelids, fat transfer, temple lift, neck lift, etc.
Cruise Plastic Surgery accepts the following forms of payment:
- Check
- All major credit cards
- Cash
- Financing: Prosper Lending, Care Credit, Alphaeon Credit
Dr. Joseph T. Cruise is an experienced facelift surgeon serving patients in Newport Beach and the surrounding areas of Orange County. He and his staff at Cruise Plastic Surgery have created the following content to educate patients about the specifics of facelift procedures, recovery, and potential complications. You can also browse the extensive gallery of facelift before and after photos to see examples of Joseph T Cruise, MD’s work.
Joseph T Cruise, MD believes that a facelift needs to be individualized to a patient’s face and goals. If you are a seeking a personalized solution for your concerns, learn more about Joseph T Cruise, MD’s CustomLift® face lift.
Every face is different, and in order to see the dramatic results for yourself, Joseph T Cruise, MD has provided many before and after photos of facelift and neck lift patients. Most patients report they look and feel 10 to 20 years younger, which greatly impacts their state of mind and quality of life.
The Look You Have
The interactive diagram below was created by Joseph T Cruise, MD to help you identify what you don't like about your face now. This provides both you and Joseph T Cruise, MD a clear visual of what is bothering you and will help him formulate a customized treatment plan to address your concerns.
Click the images below to select your concerns in each category. If you would like to submit the form for review, one of Joseph T Cruise, MD's patient care coordinators will review your selections and contact you to discuss further. You can also click TLIW in PDF format to print for your own use.
Common complaints of facial aging
- Temple
- Crow's feet
- Brow sag - Cheeks
- Loose/hanging skin
- Loss of cheek fullness
- Nasolabial folds - Jawline
- Jowling
- Loss of jawline definition
- Droopy chin
Anatomy of the Face
It is important to understand the anatomy of the face and how it changes during the aging process. Joseph T Cruise, MD addresses the face in four quadrants. View each section below to see what procedures are available to treat the most common issues of facial aging.
The Aging Face Explained
Tightening skin alone is not enough to correct all the potential causes of facial aging, such as saggy skin, crow’s feet, dropping eyes, and other concerns that cause people to wonder if plastic surgery may be right for them. Because over time facial tissue loses its elasticity and facial fat either dissipates or descends, many people find that simply tightening skin is only a temporary solution, and later they choose to have additional cosmetic surgery to achieve the full results they desire from a face lift.
A simple and extreme explanation to demonstrate the importance of facial fat for a youthful, wrinkle free face is to compare the chubby, rotund cheeks of a baby with the looser, thinner cheeks of a more mature face. Skin care such as dermabrasion and chemical peel is part of the solution, but with fat transfer, you can reclaim the smooth, contoured facial features you enjoyed in your youth.
When facial fat descends out of the cheek and into the area around the lips it not only affects the fullness of a person’s face, but can make their eyes look hollow and gaunt, and create jowls at their jaw line. When this occurs, some patients are interested in how a neck lift can extend the youthful look and feel to all parts of their neck, addressing all the concerns caused by aging.
Aging Face Visualization
Youthful Face
Aging Face
Surgical Options
Joseph T Cruise, MD will work with you to determine the best surgical plan to obtain your desired result. He will take into consideration the "Look You Have" and the "Look You Want."
Joseph T Cruise, MD addresses all facelift patients individually with a customized approach to evaluating the face. His custom facelift section outlines the specific effects of a number of common facial rejuvenation procedures including: Upper and lower eyelids, brow lift, fat transfer, neck lift and chin implants.
Learn about the most common Facelift Methods and Incision Types
Superior Face and Neck Lift Technique
Joseph T Cruise, MD consults with each patient individually in his Newport Beach, Orange County office to help them determine which procedure is most suitable, based on the results they desire.
Joseph T Cruise, MD has perfected the best techniques of face and neck lift procedures, which address all causes of facial aging. Instead of simply tightening facial skin, he elevates facial fat back to the cheek area where it provides the most volume and counteracts wrinkles. This technique has a three-fold effect:
- It helps to reduce the prominent upper lip/cheek fold, creating a fuller and more youthful cheek area.
- It helps to fill out the area around the eyes, eliminating wrinkles, crow’s feet, and fine lines.
- It helps to create pleasing facial proportions by defining the mandibular border (the jawline), giving the face an elegant triangular shape.
Surgical & Recovery Timeline
Joseph T Cruise, MD has found that when patients have access to pictures they better understand the healing process and what to expect. This allows patients to assess whether the effects they are experiencing after their face or neck lift are typical, and they can quickly discuss any concerns with a staff member at Cruise Plastic Surgery.
Before Facelift Surgery Instructions
After Facelift Surgery Instructions
Recovery Timeline - The male and female recovery timelines below demonstrate what to expect at each stage of the healing process.
Facelift Before & After Photos
Patient Testimonials
When considering facelift surgery it can be very helpful to hear from others who have already had it done. Real Self, the number one online resource for learning about elective cosmetic procedures, is a great resource. You can even talk to others to get answers to your questions, receive emotional support, as well as get tips and advice.
"I first went to Dr Cruise a year and a half ago for a breast reduction and liposuction. During my initial meeting, I first met with Stephanie, his Office Manager & Surgery Coordinator. Not only was she warm and extremely knowledgeable but she was also responsive each time I reached out to her. Her insight and honesty corresponded with her ability to give me a woman's perspective. Jamie, Dr Cruise's office nurse, is kind and caring and she too was just a phone call or email away to answer any questions. During that first consultation, I found the same to be true about Dr Cruise. (But more about Dr Cruise below) After going through the before and after process of my breast reduction procedure, I had built trust and felt very comfortable with Dr Cruise and his team. So, a few months ago when I decided to take the next step and have a consultation to explore options for a more youthful look, without hesitation, I went back to Dr Cruise. Again, as with my first procedure, Dr Cruise answered all my questions with patience and I never felt rushed or pressured. On the contrary, Dr Cruise really listened to my wants and gave his honest opinion and together, along with Stephanie, we came up with a surgical plan and I'm thrilled with my results. We decided on a neck and lower face lift, a brow lift and facial fat transfer. He makes it clear that his goal is to make his clients feel amazing inside and out with beautiful, natural results. Beyond his expertise and knowledge, he genuinely cares about his patients. Dr. Cruise is a master surgeon! In addition, his surgical team of nurses and the anesthesiologist were amazing too and I woke up from surgery feeling amazing! I am so grateful to Dr. Cruise, to Stephanie and his entire staff. Thank you all for making this process such a positive experience for me. To anyone considering surgery, Dr Cruise is the absolute best!"