Environmental factors, stress, genes, and the natural facial aging process can all cause the facial skin to sag, creating a tired or worn down appearance that does not accurately reflect the vibrancy a person feels inside. For many, a facelift in our Newport Beach location is the answer to restoring a more youthful look. Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with exceptional skill in facelift techniques and full facial rejuvenation. Patients from Newport Beach and throughout Orange County know her state-of-the-art plastic surgery center, LEA Plastic Surgery, for its deep focus on patient care and consistently natural-looking and beautiful results.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that restores a more youthful appearance to the mid-to-lower face and neck. The procedure tightens and eliminates excess skin to alleviate sagging skin in the cheeks and jawline, reduce lines and wrinkles, and eliminate jowls. During a facelift, the surgeon pulls back the skin and then tightens and sculpts the underlying tissues to improve the contour of the face and address signs of facial aging.

---

Traditional Facelift vs. Mini Facelift

During traditional facelifts, the doctor also performs a neck lift to reduce sagging of the neck and jowls. Often, we must resolve this “turkey neck” or “turkey wattle” look in order to achieve good results from a facelift. In some cases, however, you will not need a full facelift and a mini facelift alone may allow patients to reach their goals. A mini facelift typically addresses only the area from the cheeks to the jawline.

---

It is important to note that facelift surgery addresses only the quantity of skin, not the quality of the skin. To improve skin quality and treat problems such as dark spots, thinning of the skin, acne scarring, and fine lines, laser treatments or other collagen-boosting facial rejuvenation procedures are often what the physicians recommend.

---

Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?

Choosing plastic surgery is a very personal decision that depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking, facelift surgery candidates include healthy individuals who are nonsmokers and do not have any medical conditions that could impair healing. Ideal candidates should have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for what full facial rejuvenation surgery can accomplish.

Most facelift patients in Newport Beach and Orange County are between the ages of 40 and 70 years of age, though this age range does not limit your candidacy. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgical procedure is to schedule a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon to discuss your goals.

Your Consultation

Patients interested in full facial rejuvenation and Facelift in Newport Beach should schedule a consultation at our office as a first step. During this initial meeting, prospective patients should discuss their surgical goals, any medical conditions, previous surgeries, and current medications. Patients should come prepared with a list of questions, however, our knowledgeable plastic surgeon Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva will often answer questions before patients even ask them!

She will discuss your goals for surgery with you and may suggest alternative or complementary procedures depending on your desired outcomes. You can bring photographs during the consultation and the doctor will measure and examine your face to recommend the best treatment plan.

During the initial meeting, we will also discuss the type of anesthesia for the procedure. Most patients choose intravenous sedation with local anesthesia over general anesthesia. However, we will personalize this depending on the extent of the surgery and the needs and desires of the patient.

---

Preparing for Surgery

Before having a full facial rejuvenation surgery in Newport Beach, our surgeon may ask patients to have lab testing or a medical evaluation. You should stop using certain medications or at least adjust them as directed.

It is important to stop smoking at least a few weeks before undergoing a facelift. Do not take aspirin or any anti-inflammatories a week or two before surgery since they can increase bleeding. Prepare in advance for someone to drive you to and from surgery as you will be drowsy following the procedure.

The Recovery

Immediately After Facelift Surgery

Right after a facelift, bruising and swelling will naturally occur. This lasts about two to three weeks, though some people heal more quickly than others. Following surgery, it is important to have a family member or friend care for you for at least through the first night. Patients should take pain medications as prescribed by our office.

Two Days After Surgery

The second day after your facial plastic surgery, Dr. Ho Taghva will often schedule a follow-up visit where she will change the surgical dressing and evaluate the incisions. If everything looks normal, she will re-dress the area and review all post-operative care instructions.

The First Week After Surgery

Generally, by days four to six, most people can stop taking pain medications. Swelling should have gone down somewhat and you can start to be more active. From days 7-14, some swelling and bruising may remain in the face, however, it will have significantly subsided by this point.

Sometimes the physician can remove the sutures as early as one week after surgery, some other times it might take two or three weeks. Most people are ready to return to work two weeks after surgery. Patients will need to postpone exercise for several more weeks. It’s important to understand that recovery times vary from patient to patient.

---

---

Why Should I Choose Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva?

Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is one of the top Facelift surgeons in Newport Beach and Orange County. Patients from all over the country and those local to Southern California, including Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, travel to LEA Plastic Surgery for a Facelift surgery in Newport Beach. Some patients even travel internationally for her expertise.

Due to her many years of experience performing Facelift surgery, Dr. Ho Taghva is familiar with the delicate complexities of the facial features. She is an exceptional surgeon who is:

• Board-certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Received additional post-residency training in Korea for Asian Aesthetic Surgery 
• Experienced in a diverse range of surgeries including Asian rhinoplasty, Asian blepharoplasty, breast lift, full facial rejuvenation, facelifts, and endoscopic brow lifts
• Understands the Asian cultural background 
• Highly skilled in cosmetic surgery and provides natural-looking changes that match each patient’s goals, add beauty, and bring facial harmony while preserving unique Asian aesthetics
• Keenly attuned to the delicate complexities of the Asian nose and facial features

Frequently Asked Questions