Facelift

Male patient in his 70s underwent an awake facelift and neck lift, which improved signs of aging in the midface, lower face, and neck. Dr. Kim uses local anesthesia (no general anesthesia or intravenous/twilight sedation) for these procedures, which is the safest way to have surgery and produces the most optimal results. A lesser-discussed yet significant anesthetic risk associated with general anesthesia and IV sedation is cognitive dysfunction (memory loss), to which older individuals are more susceptible. By opting for an awake anesthesia facelift and neck lift, our patient avoided this anesthetic risk. A key differentiator of Dr. Kim’s face and neck lifts is that he performs a bloodless dissection. His no-bleeding technique leads to a faster recovery, the most effective facial elevation, and the most natural-looking, long-lasting results. He dissects further than traditional facelifts and neck lifts, so that the face is fully redraped and lifted without any tension, thus avoiding a pulled, unnatural appearance. This patient’s facelift corrected sagging in the jowls, created a smooth and defined jawline, and elevated the cheeks. The neck lift significantly improved skin laxity (loose skin) and tightened the underlying neck muscles. Patients often combine these procedures for a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Awake facelift and awake lower blepharoplasty results for a female patient in her 60s. The areas of concern were the jowls, marionette lines, lower eyelids, and midface. A well-executed facelift can effectively improve the effects of aging: skin laxity (sagging, loose skin), lines, and volume loss in the lower face and midface. Dr. Kim performed a bloodless, deep plane facelift using only local anesthesia (without general anesthesia) which is the safest way to have surgery. His minimal bleeding technique significantly minimizes internal inflammation and blood vessel damage, which can compromise post-op recovery and long term results. Dr. Kim’s facelift repositions and re-elevates the lower and mid face without pulling, which can otherwise produce an unnatural appearance. The lower eyelid surgery smoothed and tightened the under-eye region. The patient was fully awake during her procedure. Note the transformation in the before-and-after (3 months post-op), where she achieved a sculpted, smooth jawline, elevated cheeks, and tightened under-eyes. The youthful glow and facial rejuvenation are highlighted in the after photos.

Female patient in her 70s after awake facelift surgery using only local anesthesia for a safer, painless procedure and fast recovery. In the after photos, note the more defined jawline, smooth neckline, and lifted midface region with no visible scarring. The awake surgery restored a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.

Postoperative results of an awake deep plane facelift for a female patient in her 50s. Awake surgery under local anesthesia allows for the quickest recovery with minimal downtime. Note the tightened and sculpted jawline, lifted midface, and improved nasolabial folds. The facelift effectively tightened the loose skin and created a smoother, more youthful facial appearance.

Awake facelift results for a female Asian patient in her 50s. The procedure enhanced her natural face shape and addressed the skin laxity and facial sagging in the lower face. The after photo shows a more youthful and natural-looking appearance.

Female patient in her 50s following an awake facelift and full recovery. The procedure involved tightening and lifting the tissue and skin of the mid to lower face. Note how the facelift reduced the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin and created a younger and more alert look after surgery.

Awake facelift results for a female patient in her 50s, focusing on tightening of loose and sagging facial skin. The postoperative photo was taken one week after surgery. Awake surgery without general anesthesia is the safest way to have a facelift with significantly faster recovery. Note the smoother neck, defined jawline, and restored volume in the cheeks. The facelift resulted in firmer, youthful, and natural-looking results and enhanced the patient’s beauty.

Female Asian patient in her 50s before and after her awake facelift. Dr. Kim’s approach to facelift involves careful tissue repositioning as opposed to pulling, to create a smooth, more natural (not pulled) look and long-lasting results. Note the shift from a flatter, more rectangular facial contour to a youthful shape with a well-defined jawline and neck. The after photo shows a brighter and refreshed appearance.

Before and after photos of awake Asian facelift for a female patient in her 40s. The postoperative results show improved symmetry and definition of her jawline by tightening the drooping skin and treating the marionette lines. No general anesthesia was used, only local anesthetic, increasing the safety of the surgery and significantly shortening the recovery period.

Before and after of a female patient in her 50s following awake facelift surgery. The procedure involved repositioning and lifting the facial tissue and skin. The results are very natural-looking. The facelift effectively restored a youthful and sculpted jawline, reduced nasolabial folds, and rejuvenated her appearance.