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Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is one of the most comprehensive approaches to facial rejuvenation offered at Kahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery. Dr. Kahana brings a unique perspective to this procedure, with board certification and specialized training in both ophthalmology and periocular plastic surgery. While his expertise is particularly notable in the mid and upper face due to his oculoplastic background, he performs complete facelifts that address aging concerns for the entire face.

What a Facelift Addresses

A facelift addresses the visible signs of aging throughout the face. Key concerns addressed include: 

  • Sagging in the mid and lower portion of the face
  • Dropping or puffy eyelids and eye area
  • Hollow, sunken area below the lower eyelids
  • Prominent nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to mouth corners)
  • Loss of facial volume and contour
  • Early jowling along the jawline

Dr. Kahana pays particular attention to the important area surrounding the lower eyelids and cheeks—an area many surgeons find challenging but where his specialized training provides a significant advantage.

Unlike some facelift procedures that include the neck, Dr. Kahana focuses specifically on facial rejuvenation, providing comprehensive results without a neck lift.

Types of Facelifts

Complete Facelift

This comprehensive approach addresses moderate to advanced aging throughout the face. The procedure involves carefully placed incisions beginning in the hairline at the temples and continuing around the ear. This allows Dr. Kahana to reposition and tighten deeper tissues and muscles (the SMAS layer) and carefully reposition the skin, removing any excess.

Recovery time is typically 2-3 weeks before returning to normal activities, with residual swelling continuing to subside for several months.

Limited Incision Facelift (Mini Facelift)

For patients with mild to moderate signs of aging who need less extensive correction, Dr. Kahana offers a limited incision approach. This technique uses shorter incisions at the temples and around the ear with less extensive tissue repositioning, resulting in a quicker recovery time (typically 1-2 weeks).

The procedure provides subtle yet noticeable improvement in facial contour with a primary focus on the mid-face region, while also providing modest improvements to the lower face and jawline. This option is particularly popular among younger patients seeking early intervention for facial aging or those who want a more targeted approach to specific areas of concern.

Midface Lift — section links to Mid-face Lift

This specialized technique is where Dr. Kahana’s oculoplastic expertise truly shines. The procedure targets the lower eyelids and cheeks, effectively addressing tear trough deformities and mid-face hollowing.

Dr. Kahana can perform this procedure through lower eyelid incisions or small incisions in the hairline, restoring youthful contours to the under-eye and cheek transition. This approach is often combined with fat repositioning or grafting for enhanced volume and dramatically reduces the appearance of tired or aged eyes.

Facelift Experience

Personalized Consultation

Your first step is a consultation where Dr. Kahana will evaluate your facial anatomy, discuss your aesthetic goals, and review your medical history. He will recommend the most appropriate facelift technique and explain potential complementary procedures that might enhance your results. Advanced imaging technology may be used to help visualize potential outcomes.

The Surgical Procedure

Facelift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. Depending on the complexity of your procedure, surgery may take 3-5 hours. Dr. Kahana performs all facelifts in an accredited surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists to ensure your safety and comfort.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from facelift surgery requires patience and careful adherence to post-operative instructions. Dr. Kahana and his team provide comprehensive care, including detailed wound care instructions, pain management protocols, and regular follow-up appointments.

Most patients can expect: 

  • Initial bandage removal within 1-2 days
  • Suture removal within 5-10 days
  • Return to light activities within 10-14 days
  • Social presentability with makeup at around 2 weeks
  • Full recovery with resolution of most swelling within 3 months

Complementary Procedures

Many patients choose to combine their facelift with other procedures for more comprehensive rejuvenation:

  • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): Addresses excess skin on upper eyelids, puffy eyelids, under-eye bags, and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid.
  • Brow Lift: Corrects horizontal forehead creases, frown lines between the eyebrows, drooping eyebrows, and upper eyelid hooding caused by brow position.
  • Volume Restoration: Options include fat grafting using your own purified fat cells, injectable fillers for temporary enhancement, or cheek implants for permanent augmentation.
  • Laser Skin Resurfacing: Addresses surface skin concerns through laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or microneedling treatments.

 

Ideal Facelift Candidates

The best candidates for Dr. Kahana’s facelift approach are:

  • Healthy individuals without medical conditions that impair healing
  • People with realistic expectations about outcomes
  • Individuals experiencing facial sagging, deepening nasolabial folds, or early jowling
  • Patients concerned primarily with facial aging rather than neck laxity

Dr. Kahana takes a conservative approach, prioritizing patient safety and natural-looking outcomes. His specialized focus on the mid and upper face makes him particularly adept at addressing the most visible and expressive areas of facial aging, while still providing comprehensive results that improve the entire face.

Long-Term Results and Maintenance

A facelift performed by Dr. Kahana typically lasts 8-10 years, though results vary based on individual factors:

  • Your natural aging process
  • Sun exposure and protection
  • Lifestyle choices (smoking, diet, exercise)
  • Genetic factors
  • Skincare maintenance

To maximize and extend your results, Dr. Kahana recommends a comprehensive skin care regimen that includes proper cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. Many patients benefit from periodic non-surgical treatments like fillers, neurotoxins, or laser procedures to maintain their refreshed appearance.

Why Choose Dr. Kahana

Dr. Kahana brings exceptional qualifications to facelift surgery:

  • Expertise: Training in both ophthalmology and periocular  plastic surgery provides unique understanding of facial anatomy
  • Mid and Upper Face Focus: Unmatched expertise in the critical junction between the eyes and mid-face
  • Complete Facial Approach: Comprehensive treatment from forehead to chin
  • Natural-Looking Results: Commitment to results that enhance features while preserving facial expressions
  • Advanced Techniques: Cutting-edge approaches specifically designed for the delicate tissues of the face

 

Dr. Alon Kahana

His compassionate care and extensive experience in facial rejuvenation have earned him the trust of patients throughout the region. His approach delivers consistently excellent outcomes that help patients look like refreshed, more youthful versions of themselves—never surgically altered or “overdone.”

As an oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Kahana brings additional expertise to facelift procedures that many general plastic surgeons cannot offer. His specialized training provides him with a comprehensive understanding of the delicate tissues surrounding the eyes—perhaps the most expressive part of the face and often the first to show signs of aging.

Before recommending any procedure, Dr. Kahana conducts a thorough facial analysis that evaluates your unique facial structure, fat distribution, muscle positioning, skin quality, and the relationship between different facial features. This detailed assessment allows for a customized surgical plan that addresses your specific concerns rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

One significant advantage of working with Dr. Kahana is his ability to seamlessly integrate facelift procedures with eyelid surgeries. Many patients benefit from combining these approaches, and his expertise in both areas ensures natural-looking results.

Taking the Next Step

If you’re considering a facelift, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kahana. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your goals and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique facial anatomy.

For patients seeking neck rejuvenation, Dr. Kahana can discuss appropriate referrals to colleagues who specialize in that area.

Ready to Transform Your Appearance?

Your journey toward a fresh, rejuvenated look begins with a private consultation with Dr. Kahana at Kahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery.

To schedule your evaluation, please call 248-800-1177 or click the link below

Dr. Spadaro, Sara Turner, PA-C, Dr. Kahana, the Providers at Kahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery
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