FACESURGICAL
Facelift in Murrieta
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that repositions sagging facial tissues to reduce visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck. The surgery addresses jowls, deep nasolabial folds, loose skin along the jawline, and platysmal bands in the neck by lifting and tightening the underlying muscular layer (SMAS) and removing excess skin.
At a Glance
- Approximately 77,933 facelift procedures were performed in the United States in 2025, a 13% increase over the prior year[4]
- Facelift surgery has an overall complication rate of approximately 1.8%, comparable to other cosmetic surgical procedures[7]
- Patient satisfaction studies report approximately 97% of patients describing facial improvement as very good or beyond expectations at one year[8]
- Hematoma is the most common complication, occurring in approximately 1% of cases, with most presenting within the first 24 hours[7]
Overview
Rhytidectomy is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures. National volume reached 77,933 facelifts in 2025, up 13% year over year. The operation addresses the mid and lower face, jawline, and neck by repositioning lax tissue that has descended with age, gravity, and sun exposure.
Facelift techniques include SMAS plication, SMAS imbrication, extended SMAS, and deep plane facelift. The choice depends on the degree of aging, the patient’s facial anatomy, and the surgeon’s assessment of which approach fits the patient’s goals while maintaining facial movement and expression.
Facelift results are long-lasting, but the operation does not stop the aging process. Research shows approximately 97% of patients reporting very good or better facial improvement at one year. The face continues to age after surgery, and some patients choose a secondary procedure years later.
What to expect
- Consultation to discuss goals, review medical history, and develop a surgical plan
- Pre-operative evaluation including physical examination and any necessary laboratory tests
- Administration of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia
- Incisions placed along the hairline, around the ear, and potentially under the chin
- Elevation and separation of the skin from the underlying SMAS layer
- Repositioning and tightening of the SMAS and deeper facial tissues
- Sculpting or redistribution of facial fat as needed
- Redraping and trimming of excess skin
- Closure of incisions with sutures and possible placement of temporary drains
- Application of dressings and a supportive facial wrap
How a facelift works
- The incision typically begins in the hairline at the temple, passes around the front of the ear, and continues behind the earlobe into the lower scalp. A small incision under the chin may be added when the neck is included.
- The skin is separated from the underlying tissues, and the SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is identified and repositioned. Depending on the technique, the SMAS may be plicated, imbricated, or elevated as a composite flap with the overlying skin.
- Excess or displaced fat may be sculpted, redistributed, or removed from the face, jowls, and neck to restore more youthful facial contours. The skin is then redraped over the repositioned tissues, excess skin is trimmed, and the incisions are closed with sutures. Drainage tubes may be placed temporarily to prevent fluid accumulation.
- Volume loss and tissue descent are separate problems that often arrive together. A facelift corrects descent without replacing lost volume. When the cheeks or temples have become hollow as the tissues have descended, both are assessed at the first consultation. Facial fat transfer addresses the volume part of that assessment.
When it's recommended
- Sagging skin and tissue laxity in the mid and lower face
- Jowling along the jawline
- Deep nasolabial folds (creases from nose to mouth corners)
- Loss of definition along the jawline and chin
- Platysmal bands and loose skin in the neck
- Volume redistribution and descent of facial fat pads
- Mild to moderate skin laxity in patients seeking facial rejuvenation
Is a facelift right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Vishal Banthia.
Recovery & aftercare
- Dressings and drains are typically removed within 1 to 2 days after surgery
- Sutures are removed in approximately 5 to 10 days depending on location
- Bruising and swelling are expected and typically peak at 2 to 3 days, then gradually subside over 2 to 3 weeks
- Most patients can return to non-strenuous work within 2 weeks
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks
- Numbness around the incision sites is common and typically resolves over several months
- Final results continue to improve as swelling resolves over 3 to 6 months
Alternatives
- Non-surgical skin tightening procedures (radiofrequency, ultrasound-based treatments)
- Injectable fillers to restore facial volume
- Thread lift for mild skin laxity
- Botox for dynamic wrinkles
- Laser skin resurfacing for surface texture improvement
- Neck lift as a standalone procedure for neck-specific concerns
- Mini facelift for patients with mild to moderate aging
Frequently Asked Questions
- A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is an operation that lifts and tightens sagging facial tissues. It addresses jowls, deep creases, loose skin along the jawline, and neck laxity by repositioning the deeper tissue layers and removing excess skin.
- Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, so you do not feel pain during the operation. Most patients experience tightness, mild discomfort, and swelling afterward. Prescribed pain medication can manage the discomfort, which typically improves significantly during the first week.
- Facelift surgery has a well-established safety profile when performed by a surgeon board-certified in a specialty that trains for it. Studies involving more than 11,000 patients report an overall complication rate of approximately 1.8%. Every operation still carries risks, and Dr. Banthia discusses those that apply to a particular face at the consultation rather than leaving them to a consent form.
- Facelift results are long-lasting and typically maintain noticeable improvement for 5 to 10 years or more. The face continues to age naturally, but most patients report looking younger than they would have without the procedure. Some choose a secondary facelift years later.
- Most patients return to non-strenuous activities within about 2 weeks. Bruising and swelling typically peak around day 2 to 3 and gradually subside over 2 to 3 weeks. Strenuous exercise is avoided for 4 to 6 weeks, and the final result becomes apparent as residual swelling resolves over 3 to 6 months.
- Facelift surgery may not be appropriate for someone who actively smokes, has uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, takes blood thinners without medical clearance, or has a condition that impairs wound healing. A thorough pre-operative evaluation determines whether the operation is suitable for the individual.
- Dr. Vishal Banthia performs the facelift. He is board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, trained at Stanford and UCSF, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. The surgeon who assesses the face at the consultation also plans and performs the operation. The assessment is not handed to someone else afterward.
- There are two offices, Murrieta on Date Street and Carlsbad, and both run by appointment. Where a patient is seen and where the operation takes place are settled with the surgical plan. Timing, transportation home, and who needs to be with the patient are addressed at the same time. The page does not give one fixed arrangement because these details are not the same for every patient.
- Radiofrequency and ultrasound tightening, thread lifts, and neuromodulator injections are available elsewhere. Dr. Banthia offers none of those four treatments; his services are surgical and do not include cosmetic injectables or med-spa treatments. These options also address different structures. They act on skin or muscle activity, while a facelift repositions the deeper layer that has descended. At the consultation, Dr. Banthia distinguishes lost tone from lost position, and declining to perform surgery is a normal outcome of that visit.
Facelift risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active smoking or nicotine use (significantly increases risk of skin flap necrosis)
- Uncontrolled diabetes or conditions that impair wound healing
- Bleeding disorders or unmanaged anticoagulation therapy
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Active infection at the planned surgical site
- Connective tissue disorders that compromise healing
- History of keloid or hypertrophic scar formation
- Unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes
Possible risks
- Hematoma (the most common complication, occurring in approximately 1% of cases)
- Infection at the surgical site
- Temporary or permanent nerve injury affecting facial movement or sensation
- Skin flap necrosis, particularly in smokers
- Scarring, though incisions are placed to minimize visibility
- Asymmetry between the two sides of the face
- Hair loss near the incision lines (temporary or permanent)
- Unfavorable scarring including widened or hypertrophic scars
- Seroma (fluid accumulation beneath the skin)
- Need for revision surgery
Your practitioner
Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS
Dr. Vishal Banthia is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in Murrieta and Carlsbad, California. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His practice is surgical and face-only: facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty. He lectures internationally, has published peer-reviewed research indexed in the National Library of Medicine, and received the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Humanitarian Travel Award for cleft lip and palate surgery in Honduras.
Sources & references
This article draws on 9 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS · Last reviewed: 2026-09-22