Is an Awake Facelift Painful?

Our awake facelift is performed using local anesthesia and mild sedation to help keep you relaxed and pain-free. After the initial local anesthesia, you may feel pressure or slight tugging during surgery, but discomfort is minimal. Afterward, any soreness is managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You’ll have an initial consultation, your surgical appointment, and a series of follow-up visits so Dr. Block-Wheeler can monitor your healing. Most patients return for 2 to 4 postoperative appointments within the first few months after surgery.

How Long Until I See Results?

You’ll see noticeable improvement right away, but your final results appear gradually as swelling subsides. Most patients achieve refined, natural results within 6 to 8 weeks, with continued improvement for several months.

Can I Combine an Awake Facelift With Other Procedures?

Yes, common combinations include eyelid surgery to reduce puffiness or sagging around the eyes. Some of our patients also opt for non-surgical treatments like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or injectable fillers to fine-tune texture, tone, and minor wrinkles after surgery. Dr. Block-Wheeler takes a personalized approach when planning combination procedures. During your consultation at our San Francisco office, he evaluates your facial structure, skin condition, and overall goals to determine which treatments will complement your facelift most effectively.

What Are the Risks Associated With an Awake Facelift?

Common side effects of an awake facelift include swelling, bruising, temporary tightness, and minor numbness, which usually resolve within 1 to 2 weeks. More serious complications are infection, hematoma, delayed healing, or subtle asymmetry. To significantly reduce these risks and support a smooth recovery, follow Dr. Block-Wheeler’s post-operative instructions and attend all follow-up appointments.

Awake Facelift in San Francisco, CA

Awake Facelift

Introduction

Introduction to Awake Facelift

Aging changes the way we look, often showing up as sagging skin, loss of definition, or deep lines around the mouth and jawline. While these signs are completely natural, many people want to refresh their appearance without committing to a lengthy recovery or general anesthesia. At The Block-Wheeler Clinic in San Francisco, CA, the awake facelift enables patients to achieve real surgical rejuvenation while remaining comfortable, relaxed, and fully conscious.

Dr. Nikolas Block-Wheeler specializes in facial and neck plastic surgery. His approach to the awake facelift blends surgical precision with patient comfort, allowing for impressive results and a quicker recovery.

What is an Awake Facelift?

An awake facelift is a surgical facial rejuvenation procedure performed under local anesthesia, with mild oral sedation, rather than general anesthesia. You remain relaxed but alert throughout the process, breathing on your own while Dr. Block-Wheeler refines the underlying facial structure to restore youthful contours.

The procedure focuses on tightening the deeper layers of the face, including the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and surrounding tissues. By addressing these foundational structures, Dr. Block-Wheeler is able to lift and redefine the cheeks, jawline, and neck with natural-looking results that last for years. The skin is then gently redraped to smooth wrinkles and remove any excess. Because the deeper tissues are repositioned rather than just pulled, the results appear more authentic and age gracefully.

Close-up of a doctor injecting a needle into the forehead/brow area of an older female patient's face as a wrinkle relaxing procedure. - Awake Facelift in San Fransisco, CA

Who Are the Best Candidates For an Awake Facelift?

The awake facelift is best suited for men and women who want to improve the appearance of facial or neck sagging, jowls, or loss of definition without undergoing general anesthesia. Most candidates are in their 40s to 60s and have mild to moderate skin laxity.

Good candidates usually:

Are in good general health and do not smoke
Want a natural improvement without an overly tight appearance
Prefer a quicker, more comfortable recovery
Are looking to address sagging cheeks, jowls, or loose skin

During your consultation at The Block-Wheeler Clinic in San Francisco, Dr. Block-Wheeler will assess your facial structure, skin quality, and goals to determine if an awake facelift is the right choice. If your concerns include more advanced sagging, he may recommend our deep-plane facelift to achieve the best long-term results.

What Are the Benefits of an Awake Facelift?

There are many reasons patients choose the awake facelift at The Block-Wheeler Clinic. One of the most significant advantages is that it avoids general anesthesia, reducing potential risks for patients who may not be candidates for general anesthesia for elective procedures and allowing for a quicker recovery.

This technique also allows Dr. Block-Wheeler to make subtle real-time adjustments. Because you are awake, he can observe how your facial muscles move naturally, resulting in a balanced, harmonious look. The awake facelift provides smoother contours, better definition along the jawline, and lifted cheeks that still look like you, only refreshed.

The recovery process is typically easier, too. Patients often find they can return to work and normal activities sooner since the local anesthesia is gentler on the body. Many also appreciate the shorter procedure time and reduced post-surgical grogginess.

Dr. Block-Wheeler, wearing a blazer, descends a grand, carpeted staircase while holding a briefcase. - First Step in San Fransisco, CA

What’s the First Step?

The first step toward an awake facelift at The Block-Wheeler Clinic is a detailed consultation with Dr. Block-Wheeler in San Francisco. During this visit, he will review your medical history, evaluate your face, and discuss your personal goals for rejuvenation. This includes examining skin quality, facial volume, and the degree of sagging in the cheeks, jawline, and neck.

Dr. Block-Wheeler uses this information to determine whether an awake facelift is the most appropriate option or if a deeper technique, such as a deep plane facelift, would provide better long-term results. You will also discuss any concerns about anesthesia, recovery, and post-surgical care.

What to Expect on the Day of Awake Facelift Surgery

Dr. Block-Wheeler begins by making small incisions around the natural curves of the ears and along the hairline. Through these incisions, he carefully lifts the underlying layers of the face, including the SMAS and fat pads, to reposition them into a more youthful position. This step helps redefine the jawline and smooth the transition from the cheeks to the neck. The skin is then gently redraped, and any excess is trimmed to ensure a soft, natural result.

Once the procedure is complete, the incisions are closed with precision sutures, and a light dressing is applied.

Male physician (Dr. Bock-Wheeler) in a white coat and glasses holding a mirror and a small stick, consulting with a female patient about her recovery or treatment.

Awake Facelift Recovery

Recovery from an awake facelift is typically faster and more manageable than that of a traditional facelift. Mild swelling, tightness, and bruising are expected but usually fade significantly within the first one to two weeks. You should keep your head elevated during the early recovery phase and use compresses as needed to minimize swelling.

Most of our patients feel ready to return to work or social events within 14 to 21 days. Light walking is encouraged soon after surgery, but anything too strenuous should be avoided for at least 4 to 6 weeks, or until cleared by Dr. Block-Wheeler.

How Much Does an Awake Facelift Cost in San Francisco, CA?

The cost of an awake facelift in San Francisco will ultimately depend on the complexity of your procedure, the amount of tissue being repositioned, and whether any additional procedures are added. Cost will also include the surgeon’s expertise, facility use, and follow-up care.

At The Block-Wheeler Clinic, each patient receives a personalized estimate during their consultation.

Dr. Block-Wheeler, in a gray blazer and glasses, stands outdoors with arms crossed, looking confidently toward the right. - Why Choose BW Clinic in San Fransisco, CA

Our Ethos

Why Choose Dr. Block-Wheeler?

Dr. Nikolas Block-Wheeler offers patients in San Francisco a unique combination of skill and expertise. His training in both facial plastic surgery and head and neck surgery provides a deep understanding of facial structures, allowing him to perform delicate awake facelifts with precision.

Patients choose Dr. Block-Wheeler because he prioritizes natural-looking results that enhance features rather than drastically altering them. He takes time to listen to each patient’s goals, carefully crafting a surgical plan that aligns with their anatomy and desired outcome.

Awake Facelift FAQ’S

Yes, common combinations include eyelid surgery to reduce puffiness or sagging around the eyes. Some of our patients also opt for non-surgical treatments like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or injectable fillers to fine-tune texture, tone, and minor wrinkles after surgery.

Dr. Block-Wheeler takes a personalized approach when planning combination procedures. During your consultation at our San Francisco office, he evaluates your facial structure, skin condition, and overall goals to determine which treatments will complement your facelift most effectively.
Common side effects of an awake facelift include swelling, bruising, temporary tightness, and minor numbness, which usually resolve within 1 to 2 weeks.

More serious complications are infection, hematoma, delayed healing, or subtle asymmetry.

To significantly reduce these risks and support a smooth recovery, follow Dr. Block-Wheeler’s post-operative instructions and attend all follow-up appointments.

Patient Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Excellent care from start to finish

I recently visited Dr. Block-Wheeler for tattoo removal and had a genuinely great experience. He explained the process clearly, worked with confidence, and made the session feel easy. The office has a warm, welcoming atmosphere that helped me relax right away. Excellent care from start to finish.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Dr. Block-Wheeler is truly amazing. He listened carefully to my concerns and made me feel completely at ease.

He never pressured me, and his honest approach gave me confidence in my decision. The results exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I felt supported every step of the way with Dr. Block-Wheeler. His kindness and professionalism made all the difference.

He explained everything clearly, ensuring I understood the process. My results are better than I imagined, and I feel like the best version of myself. I can’t thank him enough for his skill and care.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you want to refresh your appearance with natural, lasting results and avoid the risks of general anesthesia, the awake facelift may be your perfect match.

Schedule a consultation at The Block-Wheeler Clinic in San Francisco, CA, to meet with Dr. Block-Wheeler and discuss your facial rejuvenation goals.

Call our office or complete our online form to book your awake facelift today.

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