Facelift

best Facelift in San antonio, tx, with Dr. Jose Barrera at the Texas Center for Facial and Laser Surgery

Ready to restore the natural, younger you?

Like most of our San Antonio facelift patients, you’ve put years into deciding if a facelift is right for you. Talking with facial surgery expert Dr. Jose Barrera during your customized consultation gets you the specific answers to questions that have kept you from committing to facelift surgery. 

In your one-on-one consultation, you may be surprised to learn:

Instead, a facelift softens wrinkles, restructures displaced fat to add more sculpted contours and tightens sagging skin to recapture the you of years ago.

Board-certified facial plastic surgery expert Dr. Jose Barrera specializes in custom facial surgery plans that may include a neck lift, eyelid lift, and brow lift. He has also achieved marvelous results combining surgical solutions with minimally invasive techniques like Botox, C02 Fractional Laser, and dermal fillers. Dr. Barrera’s in-depth medical scholarship on achieving ideal results through the combination of plastic surgery procedures with or without cosmetic procedures can be found in our resources.

Every patient comes in with their own history written on their face in supremely unique ways. Dr. Barrera takes the time to listen to patients so that, together, they can design a custom plan that resets time, allowing the future to roll out in the most beautiful way possible.  

Dr. Barrera has published facelift research in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery.

Research has established that the deep plane facelift has the most long-lasting results. Combining it with other procedures like a brow lift, eyelid lift and or neck lift adds to overall improvement. Facelift patients who also commit to a healthy diet, exercise, and skincare regimen keep their youthful appearance longer. Dr. Barrera offers both Skinceuticals and Sente skincare lines.

Your Special Face Deserves a Facial Specialist

Many plastic surgeons perform facelifts and neck lifts, but few have published more than 70 articles about the subtleties of facial fat volume, combining laser resurfacing with surgery, nasal tip support and many more subjects in publications like the Journal of the American Medical Association Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Fewer still can say they have served as the Chief of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Chairman of Otolaryngology Surgery at the San Antonio Military Medical Center or Clinical Professor at Stanford University, the University of Texas in San Antonio, and the Uniformed Services University in Washington, D.C. And, really, we don’t know anyone else who’s successfully removed a grenade from a soldier’s cheekbone.

Seeing a plastic surgeon that is a facial specialist ensures you get celebrity-level results and the utmost in safety and integrity. The breadth and depth of Dr. Barrera’s experience means he can draw from the most proven, cutting-edge techniques to match your goals, health, and medical history. Of all the buying decisions you make in your life, when choosing your facelift surgeon, you must go for the top-most of the top drawer. Dr. Barrera is that consummate surgeon who also knows the importance of a kind, down-to-earth bedside manner.

Common Signs of Aging: San Antonio Facelift Patients Experience

Even the most premium anti-aging lotion ultimately loses to time and gravity.

As we age, facial fat becomes displaced and muscle tone is lost, leading to a hollow or sunken appearance. The jawline softens into jowls and fine lines appear around the corners of the eyes, forehead and face. Vertical folds and laugh lines appear on the neck and around the mouth. All of these aspects add up to a tired and older-looking appearance.

A Facelift addresses the following:

  • Wrinkles, fine lines and creases on the lower eyelids, cheeks and jawline.
  • Displaced fat
  • Jowls

 

 

  • Excess fat on the jawline and underneath the chin
  • Horizontal neck bands
  • Loose, hanging skin on the neck and underneath the chin

The facelift is considered to be the gold standard in facial rejuvenation because it addresses several signs of aging around the middle and lower face

What is a Facelift?

In the past, facelifts (rhytidectomy) only tightened the skin. Modern facelifts offer far more advanced techniques to seemingly reverse aging by removing and repositioning skin, tightening muscle, and removing and/or adding fat to key areas. Dr. Barrera may also remove excess skin around the jawline and chin (the double chin). Typically, Dr. Barrera can hide incision scars behind the hairline.

The facelift is most often combined with the neck lift because results would appear inconsistent if the neck skin weren’t addressed as well. 

Patients choose from different types of full or minimally-invasive facelifts:

Dr. Barrera employs a tailored facelift approach using the deep plane facelift technique which removes excess skin and repositions fat on the middle and lower facial areas and the neck. With this step accomplished, he separates the skin from the musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) in order to reposition muscles over the cheekbones to achieve a more youthful and natural-looking position.

Often performed in conjunction with a neck lift or liposuction of the neck, the mini facelift rejuvenates the lower two-thirds of the face. The incisions are made at the ear tragus and continue around the ear. Drooping skin on the middle and lower facial areas is excised and supported with sutures in the underlying muscle structures and SMAS. When combined, the mini-facelift and necklift bring a more natural proportion to the lower face and neck.

Men often seek rejuvenating facelift surgery. Men can benefit from minimal incisions, a strong jawline, and improvement in submental fullness. A tailored male facelift can provide the aesthetic features most desired by men in the jawline and neck. 

Working through small incisions in the hairline and inside of the mouth, Dr. Barrera lifts and tightens skin and underlying muscles over the cheekbones. A midface lift utilizes a temple incision and can be combined with a high SMAS facelift to improve volume in the midface and neck.

Related Facelift Blogs

Are You a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

A good candidate for rhytidectomy are individuals whose facial skin has fine lines and wrinkles about the mid-face and is experiencing the emergence of jowls and excess skin below the neck. Ideal patients are at their optimal weight, don’t smoke, and are in good health. Realistic expectations and a positive outlook are essential to achieve the best results.

Service and gratitute are a part of my nature. Improving my patient's wellness in terms of breathing, sleep, and self-esteem gives me great satisfaction.

What Complementary Procedures Will You Select with Your Facelift?

These aren’t the only procedures that will enhance your facelift results. Trust that double fellowship trained plastic surgeon Dr. Jose Barrera can address any unique concerns you have through the combination of traditional surgical techniques, minimally invasive procedures and cosmetic solutions.

Recovering from Your Facelift in San Antonio

Facelift recovery depends on the procedures chosen. Multiple procedures require more care and healing time than simple, single ones. With procedures completed, patients remain in the recovery room at the Texas Center for Facial and Plastic Surgery until anesthesia wears off. They will then be discharged in the care of a friend or loved one. Patients coming in from other states often choose to go to one of our recommended recovery facilities or complete this process in a nearby hotel room with a recovery nurse.

Patients can expect bruising and swelling in the treatment areas. Before their surgery, patients will have received extensive instructions on managing these issues using ice packs, rest, and pain medication. While most patients return to work and normal routines within a week, Dr. Barrera will advise them to avoid vigorous exercise and exertion for three weeks.

Because facelifts and neck lifts are long-lasting treatments, Dr. Barrera’s patients enjoy results for up to 15 years. Of course, the typical aging process will impact skin and facial contours despite the best facelift, but most patients report they appear years younger than their peers and their chronological age in the years after their facelift. Dr. Barrera is happy to treat patients looking for touch-ups or any other complementary procedures at any time following the initial surgery.

Do you want the most natural-looking, youthful facelift? Arrange a consultation with renowned San Antonio otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon Dr. Jose Barrera to get a glimpse of how much younger and more refreshed you can look. During your consultation, Dr. Barrera will find out more about your aesthetic goals and reveal the many options you can leverage.

Curious about facelift, results and more? Schedule a consultation or call us at 210-468-5426. We look forward to your call or visit!

We transform lives when we remove a self-conscience obstacle for a patient. We transform lives when we help patients be the best version of themselves.

FAQs: What to Ask During Your Facelift Consultation

Your facelift consultation with Dr. Barrera, a board-certified and double fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon, is a great time to learn more about the procedure, Dr. Barrera, and realistic outcomes. Before your consultation, we suggest you compile a list of questions to ask. If you are unsure of what to ask, Dr. Jose Barrera can help. Here, Dr. Jose Barrera, MD, San Antonio facial plastic surgeon shares important questions to ask during your consultation.

 

Why should I choose Dr. Barrera as my facelift surgeon?

Dr. Jose Barrera, MD, FACS has extensive experience in facelift surgery. He has earned triple board certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is one of 50 prestigious Fellowship Directors in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Barrera has authored numerous peer-review publications in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal. Additionally, he is double fellowship-trained from Stanford University in Facial Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery. Trust your face in the hands of Dr. Barrera, a highly regarded and qualified facial plastic surgeon. 

Once you have determined that your surgeon is board-certified, you should find out how many facelift surgeries they have performed. Working with an experienced facial plastic surgeon ensures that you are being treated by someone with the training to achieve successful results and the experience to handle complications. As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Barrera has a variety of patient before and after pictures to show as an example of the results.

Many people go into their plastic surgery consultation thinking they need one surgery when, in reality, another procedure may be more appropriate. During your consult with Dr. Barrera, explain in detail what your cosmetic needs and goals are. Based on the information you share, Dr. Barrera may suggest facelift or another procedure. In some cases, a combination procedure may be most effective in achieving the desired results.

Naturally, many patients want to know when they will be well enough to go out in public after surgery. Most patients can anticipate taking one to two weeks off from normal activities. After this, any remaining bruising can usually be concealed with makeup. Keep in mind that each patient heals at a different pace. Dr. Barrera will give you a more accurate timeline of when you will be ready to resume social activities.

Like all surgical procedures, facelift comes with inherent risks. A portion of your consultation will be dedicated to a discussion of all possible risks, and what steps Dr. Barrera takes to minimize them.

When expertly performed, you will enjoy the results of the facelift for many years. However, it cannot completely stop the natural aging process. The right combination of healthy lifestyle habits (e.g., sun protection, healthy diet), skincare products, and treatments can prolong your results. Dr. Barrera can recommend a skin care regimen, including in-office, non-surgical options to “touch up” your results from periodically, upon evaluating your unique skin type, needs, and goals.

A traditional facelift is performed by undermining the skin and layers of the subcutaneous fat and removing excess tissue. A mini-facelift uses similar incisions which are tapered around the ear. However, the deeper layer of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is identified superficial to the parotid fascia and elevated. This deeper layer contains the muscles of the face and neck. Dr. Barrera specializes in a minimally invasive deep elevation (MIDE) facelift. The MIDE facelift is a deep plane approach to the platysma neck bands from a smaller incision tapered around the ears. The Mini-facelift that Dr. Barrera performs is ideally suited for men with short hair and women with a ponytail hairstyle.

Deciding to undergo a facelift is a deeply personal choice. We understand the gravity of your cosmetic surgery journey and have patient coordinators that can assist you with every step of the process. We recommend a private, personalized consultation with Dr. Barrera.

 

In the two weeks leading up to surgery, we recommend stopping aspirin and all NSAID like products. Also, avoid taking fish oil and herbal medications. An EKG and stress test may be warranted in older patients.

The day of facelift surgery is an exciting day for patients and our practice. We advise not to eat after midnight the day before your procedure. Getting plenty of rest is important. If you are particularly nervous, please tell Dr. Barrera about your concerns.  It is important to hydrate 24 hours before surgery.

Every surgery has risk. Facelift surgery is considered a major operation with some risk. The most common risk is some temporary numbness to the face and ears. Other risks include facial hematoma, seroma, asymmetry, early return of jowling, persistent neck bands, anesthesia complications, and in rare instances, facial nerve paralysis.

Smoking cigarettes or vaping can increase the risk of a facelift complication. Nicotine in particular can cause lack of blood supply to the facial flaps which are elevated in facelift surgery. Smoking cessation 2 months prior to surgery is recommended. If it is difficult to stop smoking, ask Dr. Barrera about starting medication such as Chantix or Nicotine patches. If you are a prior smoker, you are still a candidate for a facelift.

Facelift cost in San Antonio includes the surgeon’s fees, facility fee, anesthesia fee, and cost of garments. Additional procedures such as a chin implant, eyelid surgery, brow lift surgery, and laser resurfacing are not part of the facelift cost. On average, a Facelift costs $11,250. These fees do not include facility, anesthesia, or overnight stay fees.

Facelift recovery varies depending on preoperative fitness and the extent of surgery required to achieve your facelift. Facelift recovery is usually three weeks with minimal bruising, swelling, and mild pain symptoms. Most patients return to normal activity at 4 weeks after surgery. A minimally invasive deep elevation facelift or MIDE facelift is a tailored mini facelift which has a quicker recovery and less down time. Dr. Barrera specializes in MIDE facelift to improve the jawline while giving patients a faster recovery.

You can return to exercise or physical activity three weeks after facelift surgery. It is recommended to start a workout with an easy warm-up, maintaining a low heart rate. Dr. Barrera does not recommend lifting more than 10 pounds until three weeks after facelift surgery.

Returning to work after a facelift is possible after two weeks of surgery. Some mild swelling and bruising may still be present. Dr. Barrera recommends no lifting greater than 10 pounds for 3 weeks. Dr. Barrera’s MIDE facelift may allow patients to return to work just after 10 days. Results vary and are not guaranteed, therefore, discuss your expectation to return to normal activity with Dr. Barrera.

The typical age for a mini-facelift and MIDE facelift is age 40 to 50. A more extensive deep plane facelift and necklift can be performed in patients with early aging signs of jowling and neck bands in their forties. Facial fat loss and boney loss of the upper and lower jaw contribute to early aging and these signs are apparent in patients between the ages of 50 and 60. Facelift surgery does not need to be postponed. A patient presenting in their early forties will benefit from the facelift longer than an older patient because they can restore facial volume and take advantage of their youthful skin and less facial laxity. Keep in mind, it is very common to repeat a facelift or have a facelift revision. Facelift surgery will not stop the signs of aging but can help prolong facial youthfulness.

There are several non-surgical options for a facelift. Adjunct procedures like fillers, specifically, a biostimulator of collagen like Sculptra can enhance facial volume and skin collagen. Sculptra is considered a non-surgical facelift alternative. Additionally, laser skin resurfacing using either fractional Erbium Glass, ResurFX, or fractional CO2 skin resurfacing can greatly enhance the texture and quality of skin.

We certainly like to accommodate our out of town patients. Schedule a Skype or Facetime consult by calling 210-468-5426 or using the contact form. We will schedule a consultation during office hours Monday through Friday. We will address all your questions and provide an estimate during your consultation.

A liquid facelift utilizes dermal fillers to add volume to the face. A traditional facelift adds facial volume by lifting and repositioning the fat and skin of the face. A deep plane facelift enhances facial volume by lifting and repositioning the deep muscles and facial fat layer of the face called the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and neck bands in a more youthful and natural position. A deep plane facelift can be combined with a neck lift to improve playtsyma muscle neck bands.

 

The benefits of a facelift can last 5 – 7 years. These benefits include improved facial volume, a straighter jawline, less neck banding from the platysma muscle, and improved skin laxity. A facelift will not last forever because the face will continue to undergo aging. However, a facelift revision can address continued aging effects after facelift surgery. Combining laser skin resurfacing can enhance the results of a facelift and improve skin texture and laxity.

A deep plane facelift and necklift can improve cheek volume, improve the jawline giving a straighter lower jaw border, and improve the marionettes. The neck lift aims at improving platysma muscle bands. 

 

A deep plane facelift mobilizes the deeper muscle and facial fat layer. The skin is then redraped after suspension of the deeper layers of the face. By mobilizing the deeper tissues, the skin is naturally redraped without a pulled appearance.

A SMAS facelift mobilizes the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System by removing a small portion of the SMAS layer and imbricating the tissues together. A SMAS facelift can improve facial volume and jowling by elevating the SMAS tissues.

A facelift procedure takes between 3 to 5 hours. We perform our deep plane facelift and necklift surgeries under general anesthesia in our AAAASF certified surgical facility, Texas Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery. We have an anesthesiologist on staff, as well as certified nurses, surgical technicians, and physician assistants.

 

A deep plane facelift targets your middle and lower face, while a neck lift focuses on the area under your jaw. With the combination of both procedures, you can obtain stronger jawline definition through a neck lift that also harmonizes with your rejuvenated facial features from a facelift.

Besides addressing wrinkles and excess skin across your lower eyelids, cheeks, and jawline, this combined approach holds the same effects for your chin and neck as well. This way, you can resolve multiple aesthetic concerns including displaced fat, jowls, and neck bands. With it, you can also correct the appearance of loose skin across your middle and lower face, as well as your neck jawline and neck.

Where traditional facelifts target excess and wrinkled skin through its surface layer, a deep plane facelift interacts with the deeper layers of tissue underneath the skin. In addition to reducing wrinkles and fine lines, a deep plane facelift also recontours facial volume.

As a result, you will never receive a pulled or stretched appearance from your facelift. Instead, your deep plane facelift delivers natural-looking results that leave you looking youthful, vibrant, and refreshed. 

A deep plane facelift requires additional techniques to be performed. This makes it a more intricate surgery than traditional facelifts. However, the cost for a deep plane facelift is not always more expensive than a traditional facelift. It is because a facelift’s overall cost depends upon additional factors such as anesthesia, facility charges, and complementary procedures, such as an eyelid lift or a brow lift.

Due to this reason, you should get a personalized quote for your deep plane facelift after a detailed consultation with your surgeon to help you make an informed decision about your facelift.

While recovering from your facelift, you should make sure to follow any post-operative or aftercare instructions provided to you by your medical team. These instructions may include steps such as resting with your head elevated, avoiding sun exposure, and getting proper rest for the first few days after your surgery.

The actual set of instructions depends on a case-by-case basis. At the Texas Center of Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery, our team provides you with a complete list of aftercare recommendations to help you recover from your facelift with minimal to no issues.

If your facelift is performed with a personalized approach that takes care of all your aesthetic concerns, you will not need to undergo another facelift or surgical procedure for a few years down the line.

However, as you experience the natural aging process, you may choose to get targeted treatments to reduce the negative effects of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and loose skin across your facial features. You can often prolong your results with the use of targeted skincare regimens or non-invasive or minimally invasive rejuvenation procedures, making them an easier option for you.