Is a Facelift Painful?

Experiencing discomfort after a facelift is standard, but the pain level varies from person to person. Many patients report that the pain is manageable and often more like a sensation of tightness or soreness rather than intense pain. Surgeons typically prescribe pain medication to help ease any discomfort you might feel in the days following the procedure.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

After deciding to undergo a facelift, you’ll typically have a few key appointments lined up. First, there’s the initial consultation, where you’ll discuss your goals and medical history and get a sense of what the procedure will involve. After your surgery, you’ll have at least one follow-up appointment to check on your healing and remove any stitches if needed. Most patients have a couple more follow-ups over a year post-op to monitor progress and ensure everything is healing correctly.

How Long Until I See Results?

You’ll start noticing some changes in your appearance reasonably soon after a facelift, typically within a few weeks. Swelling and bruising might take some time to settle down, but as that clears up, you’ll begin to see the refreshed look you hoped for.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

Most incisions are made along the hairline, around the ears, or under the chin, where they’re easily hidden. Following Dr. Motykie’s aftercare instructions can also help reduce scarring.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Facelift?

Returning to exercise after a facelift is about listening to your body and following your surgeon’s advice. Generally, you can start light activities, like walking, a few days after surgery. However, more strenuous workouts like running or heavy lifting wait until around the four to six weeks mark. During the early recovery phase, it is crucial to avoid intense exercise that could strain your stitches or increase swelling.

Can I Combine a Facelift With Other Procedures?

Absolutely! It’s common to pair a facelift with treatments like upper and lower eyelid surgery or brow lifts for a more youthful appearance. Some also opt for neck lifts , fillers, or skin rejuvenation treatments to address multiple areas in one go.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Facelift?

While facelifts can yield fantastic results, they come with some risks. Potential complications include infection, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. You might also experience temporary swelling or bruising, which is normal. Sometimes, people may notice uneven results or changes in sensation, like numbness or tightness in the skin, but these effects usually fade as you heal.

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Facelift

Understanding the Modern Facelift

With so many facelift options available today—each with its own name, style, and promise—the decision-making process can feel overwhelming. From “mini-lifts” to branded techniques trending on social media, it’s easy to get caught up in hype rather than focusing on what actually produces optimal results.

One of the most important distinctions is whether a facelift addresses only the skin or goes deeper. Many so-called “mini” or “short-scar” facelifts are essentially skin-only procedures. While they may offer subtle improvement around the neck or ears, they don’t address the underlying structures of the face so the results are often short-lived. In many cases, these procedures are simply older techniques repackaged to sound contemporary.

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Dr. Motykie takes a much more comprehensive approach to performing a facelift and believes that a contemporary facelift should address not only the skin, but also the deeper muscle layers, such as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), which begin to descend with age. By lifting and securing these deeper structures before gently redraping the skin, Dr. Motykie creates results that look natural, balanced, and long-lasting. This advanced approach—often referred to as a deep plane facelift—helps restore youthful contour and facial harmony.

Another key element of facial aging that’s often overlooked is facial volume loss. As we age, we don’t just experience sagging skin and muscles—we also lose fat in the cheeks, temples, and midface, that can often lead to a hollowed or tired appearance. That’s why Dr. Motykie routinely incorporates fat grafting into his facelift procedure, carefully restoring volume in a way that looks soft, natural, and refreshed.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift tightens loose skin and underlying muscles, creating a refreshed, natural appearance. It can help give your face a beautiful, smooth, more youthful appearance.

What to expect during a consultation for a brow lift | Beverly Hills

Types of Traditional Facelifts

When it comes to facelifts, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Every patient brings a unique combination of age, facial anatomy, aesthetic goals, and degrees of aging across different layers of the face. That’s why Dr. Motykie doesn’t rely on a single approach—instead, he customizes each procedure using his Stellar Facelift method to ensure the best possible outcome for each individual patient.

Achieving a facelift result that looks natural, balanced, and long-lasting requires more than just surgical training—it takes artistic vision, precision, and vast experience. In Dr. Motykie’s hands, a Stellar Facelift is multi-layered and meticulously tailored, addressing not only the surface of the face but also its deeper structures to achieve results that are both long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing.

The Stellar Facelift combines several essential techniques: lifting and repositioning deep facial tissues, tightening underlying muscles, removing excess skin, and restoring lost volume through facial fat grafting. The desired result is a refreshed, more youthful version of yourself—never results that are over-pulled, overdone or unnatural appearing.

Dr. Motykie’s goal is simple but powerful: to help you look like the best version of yourself, not like someone else entirely.

Descriptions of commonly performed types of facelifts

While there are many techniques marketed under catchy or branded names, most facelifts fall into a few core categories—each with its own benefits, limitations, and ideal candidates. Here’s how Dr. Motykie approaches the most commonly performed facelift types:

Mini or “Skin Only” Facelift

Dr. Motykie generally advises against so-called “mini” or “skin-only” facelifts. While these procedures may sound appealing due to smaller incisions or faster recovery, they typically only tighten the skin without addressing the deeper layers of the face where true aging occurs.

Although the incisions may be similar to a full facelift, the results are often superficial, short-lived, and may create a pulled or “wind-blown” appearance. In many cases, patients come to Dr. Motykie after undergoing mini-facelifts elsewhere, seeking a revision with a more advanced technique that delivers natural, lasting improvement.

Traditional SMAS Facelift

The SMAS facelift (short for superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is a time-tested technique that addresses moderate to advanced aging in the mid-face, jawline, and neck.

During this procedure, discreet incisions are made around the ears, allowing the surgeon to lift and reposition the SMAS layer—the connective tissue beneath the skin—along with underlying muscles and fat. This method offers more dramatic and longer-lasting results than a skin-only facelift and is especially effective for improving jowls, sagging cheeks, and neck laxity.

While it delivers a deeper correction, the SMAS technique is less extensive than a deep plane facelift and may not produce the same level of midface rejuvenation.

Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift is considered the gold standard for patients seeking the most natural and comprehensive rejuvenation. This technique goes beyond the SMAS layer to release and reposition the deeper facial structures, including ligaments, muscles, and fat pads.

By lifting these deeper tissues, a deep plane facelift addresses the true structural causes of facial aging—not just the surface signs. This results in more dramatic, yet natural-looking improvements in the cheeks, jawline, and neck. It also allows for less skin tension, reducing the risk of a tight or artificial appearance. Repositioning the midface fat pads can further enhance cheek contour and create a more youthful facial shape overall.

Compared to a SMAS lift, the deep plane approach typically delivers longer-lasting, more refined results with a smoother recovery experience.

Ponytail Facelift

The so-called “Ponytail Facelift” refers to a technique designed to mimic the lifted look achieved when hair is pulled into a high ponytail—particularly around the outer eyes and upper cheeks. This approach typically involves hidden incisions within the hairline, through which the lateral brow and midface can be subtly elevated.

Because it does not address the lower face or neck, the Ponytail approach is often best suited for younger patients seeking facial reshaping rather than full facial rejuvenation. It can refresh the eye area and restore balance to the upper face without the need for more extensive surgery.

For patients with more advanced signs of aging, elements of the Ponytail-style lift may be combined with a SMAS or deep plane facelift to achieve comprehensive results across all areas of the face and neck.

The Stellar Facelift

(Integrated SMAS/Deep Plane/Ponytail/Stem Cell Enhanced Facelift)

Dr. Motykie’s Stellar Facelift is a fully integrated, multi-layered procedure that combines the most effective elements of today’s leading facelift techniques—customized to each patient’s unique facial features, goals, and aging pattern. Designed for those patients seeking a natural yet transformative result, the Stellar Facelift is trusted by Dr. Motykie’s celebrity and high-profile clientele, as well as anyone looking for long-lasting facial rejuvenation with exceptional aesthetic refinement.

What makes the Stellar Facelifts stand out from other available techniques is its personalized, comprehensive approach. Rather than relying on a single method, Dr. Motykie customizes every procedure to the individual—combining various aspects of the SMAS, deep plane, and “ponytail” lifting techniques along with facial fat grafting and inter-operative skin rejuvenation when appropriate.

Depending on your needs, the Stellar Facelift may include:

SMAS-based lifting to remove excess skin, tighten neck muscles, reposition the jowls, and redefine the jawline
Deep plane techniques to elevate and reshape the deeper facial structures, including the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and midface
Ponytail-inspired elements to subtly lift the outer eye and upper cheek area, refreshing the upper face and brow
Stellar Fat Grafting to restore volume lost with age, using strategically placed, stem cell-enhanced fat for a soft, natural look
Stellar Skin rejuvenation to revitalize skin tone and texture using a proprietary blend of Nanofat stamping, exosomes, PRP, peptides, and other bioactive compounds.

Incisions are placed discreetly within the hairline and around the ears, designed to be virtually undetectable once healed. Every detail of the facelift is executed with artistry and precision to ensure a result that is not only dramatic—but also long-lasting and natural in appearance.

Dr. Motykie’s Stellar Facelift is the result of over two decades of surgical experience, artistic vision, and a deep understanding of how the face ages. A Stellar Facelift is not just about lifting—it’s about facial reshaping and volume replacement in a precise and thoughtful manner so that a more youthful, balanced, attractive version of yourself can emerge after you are fully healed from your facelift procedure.

What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?

A facelift offers several benefits to help you look and feel your best, such as smoothing out deep wrinkles, lifting sagging skin, and tightening loose muscles. It can also restore the definition back into your jawline and reduce the appearance of jowls, helping give you firmer skin and a more youthful appearance.

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Facelift?

Anyone in the West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or greater LA area looking to address unwanted signs of aging—sagging skin, deep wrinkles, or loss of facial definition—is the best candidate for a facelift. Typically, people in their 40s to 60s with good skin elasticity and overall health are ideal for this procedure. However, age isn’t the only factor. If you’re bothered by noticeable aging in the lower face and neck and are looking for a longer-lasting solution, a facelift might be right.

Your Facelift Journey with Dr. GARY MOTYKIE

What’s the First Step?

Dr. Motykie focuses on achieving a natural, youthful balance in facial rejuvenation. During your first visit, he’ll evaluate your facial features and discuss your goals, so come with questions and any images that inspire you.

His surgical consultant will cover costs and financing options after your visit, helping you plan for your procedure.

Contact Dr. Motykie’s office today for your confidential consultation. You can send photos for an online consultation if you’re out of town. Call us at 310-246-2355 for more information.

What to Expect on the Day of Facelift Surgery

The procedure begins with strategic incisions to minimize visible scarring, which is typically hidden within the hairline or natural facial contours.

Dr. Motykie utilizes a custom technique called the “volumetric facelift,” which focuses on restoring facial volume and creating a youthful yet natural look. Depending on the degree of facial aging, Dr. Motykie tailors the facelift to include advanced skin tightening for more significant signs of aging or a less invasive option for younger patients.

Facial fat grafting is also often part of the procedure, which will address the volume loss that can accompany aging.

Facelift Recovery

Right after surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery area until your anesthesia wears off. Expect swelling and bruising, which peak in the first few days. Keep your head elevated, manage discomfort with prescribed medications, and expect drainage tubes to be removed at your follow-up appointment.

During the first week, prioritize rest and avoid strenuous activities. Sutures will usually come out within a week. Most patients start to see improvements in about two weeks, with final results appearing over several months as swelling subsides. Your patience will lead to a youthful and refreshed look!

Why Choose Dr. Motykie?

Dr. Gary Motykie is a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Motykie Med Spa. He began his journey with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, diving into advanced research on artificial organs, prosthetic limbs, and brain neurophysiology. After graduating with honors, Dr. Motykie pursued his dream of medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he discovered his passion for surgical procedures and even established the first post-graduate fellowship in advanced surgical research.

His plastic surgery training took place at the University of Texas, renowned for its cancer and burn reconstruction facilities. During this time, he had the unique opportunity to work alongside leading cosmetic surgeons in Miami. Dr. Motykie has actively shared his expertise through national presentations and numerous journal articles covering various plastic surgery topics. He completed a prestigious Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship in Beverly Hills to solidify his reputation.

Now in private practice in Los Angeles, Dr. Motykie is a sought-after cosmetic surgery and wellness expert. He frequently shares his insights in media outlets. He is recognized as a Top Doctor on RealSelf, where he engages with individuals seeking guidance on cosmetic and non-surgical rejuvenation options.

Facelift FAQ’S

Experiencing discomfort after a facelift is standard, but the pain level varies from person to person. Many patients report that the pain is manageable and often more like a sensation of tightness or soreness rather than intense pain. Surgeons typically prescribe pain medication to help ease any discomfort you might feel in the days following the procedure.
After deciding to undergo a facelift, you’ll typically have a few key appointments lined up. First, there’s the initial consultation, where you’ll discuss your goals and medical history and get a sense of what the procedure will involve.

After your surgery, you’ll have at least one follow-up appointment to check on your healing and remove any stitches if needed. Most patients have a couple more follow-ups over a year post-op to monitor progress and ensure everything is healing correctly.
Returning to exercise after a facelift is about listening to your body and following your surgeon’s advice. Generally, you can start light activities, like walking, a few days after surgery. However, more strenuous workouts like running or heavy lifting wait until around the four to six weeks mark.

During the early recovery phase, it is crucial to avoid intense exercise that could strain your stitches or increase swelling.
While facelifts can yield fantastic results, they come with some risks. Potential complications include infection, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. You might also experience temporary swelling or bruising, which is normal.

Sometimes, people may notice uneven results or changes in sensation, like numbness or tightness in the skin, but these effects usually fade as you heal.

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