Facelift & Neck Lift
As a surgeon who focuses exclusively on the face, Dr. Keith Ladner has established a reputation as one of the top facelift surgeons in Denver, CO, and Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Ladner is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon whose advanced techniques and surgical skills create natural-looking facelift and neck lift results for women and men from Parker, Castle Rock, Greenwood Village, Colorado Springs, and surrounding cities, in addition to areas surrounding Beverly Hills.
Facelift / Neck Lift Before & After Photos
Case #93
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Case #112
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Case #26
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Case #202
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift addresses signs of aging in the mid and lower face and is often combined with a neck lift. Its ability to restore a more youthful appearance is unmatched when performed by an experienced and qualified facial plastic surgeon. Women and men who believe their confidence or professional or social lives are affected by looking older get facelift surgery to:
- Minimize heavy facial folds
- Remove excess, sagging skin
- Reposition sagging tissues throughout the face
- Smooth away creases and lines
- Define a jawline or neck hidden by sagging jowls
- Tighten sagging neck skin
How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Metro Denver or Beverly Hills?
The cost of a facelift will depend on several factors, including the technique used, the extent of the procedure, and whether other procedures are included during the same operation. The training and experience of the plastic surgeon also influence the cost. It’s important not to base your choice of surgeon primarily on the cost. Choosing a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon means you’re choosing a surgeon who focuses exclusively on facial procedures.
In the Heart of Beverly Hills
Dr. Ladner and his team of health care professionals, including physician assistant Tom, see facelift patients at his newest office on famed Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The office, located about a block from the Beverly Wilshire luxury hotel, sees patients from throughout the Los Angeles area.
Neck Lift vs. Facelift
Patients are sometimes surprised that a facelift includes rejuvenation of the neck. If your concerns focus specifically on jowls, lax skin, and vertical neck bands—often called a “turkey neck”—a neck lift may be all you need.
“Dr. Ladner listened patiently to all my concerns, and conveyed a realistic/natural approach in his practice. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the results! I healed just as he said I would! He also met me at his office on a Saturday, post-surgery, to check my sutures. I was out and about after only a week…”
5-star RealSelf review, S. Warlow
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Facelift?
Most people considering facelift surgery tend to be older than 45, but age is not the primary consideration for determining if you’re a good candidate for a facelift. A woman or man who can benefit from facelift surgery typically wants to improve certain signs of aging, such as:
- Sagging skin in the midface and along the jawline
- Nasolabial folds (creases extending from the nose to the corners of the mouth)
- Marionette lines (lines extending from the corners of the mouth and down the chin)
- Lost volume
- Double chin
- Creased and sagging skin in the neck
Ideal facelift candidates are non-smokers who share other common characteristics, including good overall health, realistic expectations, and a positive attitude about the procedure.
How Is a Facelift Performed?
Modern techniques used for facelift surgery emphasize repositioning the tissue and muscle in the lower half of the face rather than simply pulling the skin as tight as possible. This layer of tissue is called the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system). Dr. Ladner manipulates the SMAS using different techniques, depending on the needs of each patient.
When performing a facelift, Dr. Ladner makes incisions in the natural creases in front of and behind the ear so they are imperceptible. He also makes a small, horizontal incision beneath the chin and then lifts the skin to access the tissue that provides shape to the face. After elevating and re-draping tissue and removing excess skin, Dr. Ladner closes the incisions. The result is well-defined bone structure and excellent skin quality.
Facelift surgery can take 2 to 5 hours, depending on the technique used and whether additional procedures are performed during the operation. Conscious sedation or a general anesthetic may be used depending on the specific surgical plan.
What Distinguishes Our Facelift Technique and Results?
Dr. Ladner’s four-pillar approach to facial rejuvenation procedures sets him apart. When discussing the goals of a facelift procedure with you during the consult, he explains the four outcomes that must be achieved:
Natural Rejuvenation: Dr. Ladner strongly believes that a facelift procedure should naturally rejuvenate a patient. It should turn back the hands of time at least a decade or two for that particular facial area. However, each patient should continue to look like themselves. They should not see a different person in the mirror, only a younger, more refreshed version of themselves.
Compliments: Friends and family who don’t know you had the procedure should give you compliments but not suspect that you had a surgical procedure done to achieve this refreshed look. Peers should not be able to pinpoint what was done; rather, they should just note an improved version of YOU.
Longevity: Patients considering a surgical rejuvenation procedure are not looking for a temporary “fix.” With Dr. Ladner’s expertise, perfection, and customization of the deep plane facelift, patients should expect to get 10 to 20 years of results with these procedures. Meaning that it will take at least this long to return to their pre-surgical appearance.
Customization: Every patient is different and patients’ concerns are different. Furthermore, the relevant anatomy for each patient may vary. Therefore, it is imperative for your surgeon to listen carefully to your concerns, perform an in-depth exam of those areas, and create a customized approach. With our in-office software programs, Dr. Ladner is able to articulate through photos and drawings the recommended and customized approach for you.
What Is a Neck Lift?
When performed on its own, a neck lift involves a small horizontal incision below the chin and a shorter incision around the ears. During the surgery, Dr. Ladner tightens the neck and lower facial skin, platysma muscles, and lower SMAS. As with facelift surgery, the goal is to avoid the appearance of having had “work done.” For those who have mild sagging and retain some skin elasticity, Dr. Ladner may recommend minimally invasive neck tightening instead.
Dr. Keith Ladner
Women and men trust their faces to double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Keith Ladner, whose world-class training includes a prestigious facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship. As a specialist focusing exclusively on the face, Dr. Ladner uses the most advanced techniques to produce remarkable, natural-looking results.
Meet Dr. Ladner Request my ConsultationCredentials You Can Trust
How Fat Transfer Enhances Facelift Results
The loss of volume is one of the primary causes of facial aging. Using a patient’s own fat to restore volume in specific areas—especially in the upper cheek and the bony orbital rim area below the eyes—enhances facelift results. Fat is a natural, long-lasting filler that Dr. Ladner often uses during facelift surgery.
Fat transfer—also called fat grafting—involves a 3-step process. The first step is to harvest fat from an area of the patient’s body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or neck using liposuction. Dr. Ladner then uses an advanced nano-fat purifying system to prepare the fat. The final step is carefully re-injecting the fat to complement the facelift results.
What Is Recovery Like After a Facelift or Neck Lift?
Most patients can return to work about 10 to 14 days after a facelift or neck lift. At the end of the procedure, Dr. Ladner wraps incisions in an air- and water-tight dressing to minimize swelling and promote healing. Patients return the following day to have the dressing removed, and we’ll provide instructions on how to clean and care for the incisions. The sutures themselves are absorbed by the body. Dr. Ladner recommends sleeping with your head elevated to minimize swelling and shorten the recovery time.
Facelift Recovery Timeline
Day of surgery: Take brief walks around your home and get plenty of rest. Sleep on your back with your head elevated.
Day after surgery: Return to our office for a follow-up appointment. Dr. Ladner removes your bandages and gives you instructions about how to care for your incisions.
Days 2 to 5: Postoperative swelling and bruising typically peak during this time. You may feel well enough to take longer walks, but don’t do anything that elevates your blood pressure.
Days 7 to 14: Most people can return to jobs that don’t require physically strenuous work. Applying makeup can camouflage the incisions.
Days 15 to 30: At this point, you’ll feel and look much better, although you can expect some residual swelling and bruising. You can increase your physical activities, including working out. Your results will continue to improve for several months as swelling resolves.
“Dr. Ladner is an outstanding doctor! Before I chose Dr. K, I went to visit a few others, and he was the only one that took the time to understand my needs and concerns. He was very thorough in explaining the procedure; the how’s, the what’s, the why’s. Lastly the results are outstanding!!”
5-Star review, Healthgrades, Erica B.
What Procedures Can Be Combined With a Facelift?
Dr. Ladner’s extensive training and experience enable him to tailor each procedure based on the patient’s needs. He takes a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation, and often recommends combining facelift and neck lift surgery with other procedures, such as:
During your consultation, Dr. Ladner may discuss combining these or other procedures and explain how they can enhance the overall results of your facelift.
What Is a Mini Facelift?
A mini facelift is sometimes called a short-scar lift because it often involves much shorter incisions. It doesn’t include a neck lift but focuses on lifting the skin around the mid-face area instead of the skin of the entire face.
This approach produces less dramatic results than a regular facelift because the incisions are smaller and the surgeon elevates less skin. Mini facelifts are usually recommended for people with mild to moderately sagging skin. Dr. Ladner performs the procedure using either a general anesthetic or conscious sedation. The recovery time for a mini facelift is typically less than with a full facelift; patients typically recover from a mini facelift in 3 to 7 days.
People under age 50 whose skin retains some of its elasticity can benefit from a mini facelift.
Nonsurgical Facelift Options
Not everyone who is concerned about signs of aging is ready for facial plastic surgery. If you want to avoid surgery, a nonsurgical approach to facial rejuvenation may be best for you. In some cases, a “liquid facelift” that combines BOTOX® and dermal filler injections can accomplish your goals. Laser skin resurfacing is another option that may be right for you. You can take our quiz to see if you can benefit from a surgical or nonsurgical lift.
A Reputation Built on Results
Frequently Asked Questions
What does neck liposuction do?
Excess neck fat is a common complaint that can be addressed with liposuction. While Dr. Ladner often combines neck liposuction with facelift and neck lift surgery, he does perform the procedure on its own. For patients whose skin retains most of its elasticity, liposuction alone can create a more defined chin and jawline. The procedure involves making very small incisions under the chin and then inserting a thin tube, called a cannula, to suction fat from the neck.
Can I do anything about “chubby” cheeks?
Buccal fat removal is a popular procedure for patients whose cheeks look chubby because of excessive buccal fat. This is a pad of fat that everyone has in the cheek area. Combining a facelift with buccal fat removal is an excellent option for some patients.
What’s the best age for a facelift?
Women and men considering a facelift often ask if they need to be a certain age to undergo facial plastic surgery. Age isn’t as important in determining who can benefit from a facelift or neck lift as the degree of skin laxity, skin type, and the patient’s cosmetic goals. Patients in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and even 70s can be good candidates for a facelift if they are in good overall health.
How long do the results of a facelift last?
Facelift or neck lift surgery produces changes that often result in patients looking 10 to 20 years younger. The aging process continues, of course, but patients will continue to appear younger than they would have looked without surgery. Scheduling periodic nonsurgical treatments, such as injectable fillers, can help maintain the results. It’s also important to follow a daily skincare regimen using medical-grade products.
How painful is the recovery period?
There is usually very little pain following a facelift, but you may experience a deep bruised sensation due to the swelling, and your face may seem heavy. Patients often manage their discomfort during the first week with an over-the-counter pain relief medication such as Extra Strength Tylenol®.
Will anyone be able to tell that I’ve had a facelift?
Facelift patients are often concerned they will look unnatural after a facelift. Choosing a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery is one way to ensure your results look natural. Facial plastic surgeons have devoted years to studying facial anatomy and training using advanced facelift techniques.
How many years younger will I look?
Most facelift patients believe they look like they did about 7 to 10 years earlier. Every patient is unique and your results may be different.
Is a facelift worth it?
Whether a facelift is “worth it” is something that each patient needs to consider for themselves. Many patients say they wished they had undergone the procedure earlier. When performed by a skilled surgeon, a facelift produces dramatic results.
Meet With Dr. Ladner
Women and men looking for the best facelift specialist in Denver or Beverly Hills often choose Dr. Ladner. You can request a consultation to meet with him or call our office at (303) 253-7686 to schedule an appointment.
Related Facelift & Neck Lift Blog Posts
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?If you're searching online to learn more about facelift surgery, chances are you've come across phrases such as "deep plane," "SMAS," "thread lift," and other… Read On
Does a Neck Lift Get Rid of Jowls?What’s the worst thing about facial aging, and why is it jowls? As we age, the muscles in our lower cheeks weaken and our skin… Read On
QUIZ: Do You Need Facelift Surgery or a Non-Surgical Facelift?If you want smoother skin and a younger-looking face, facelift surgery is usually the gold standard. Increasingly, though, people who are not quite ready for… Read On