Map of Toronto Location

Toronto Office
Dr. Richard Rival
501-1881 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4S 3C4
Phone: (866) 229-3223
Outside Ontario: (905) 830-6711
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Map of Newmarket Location

Newmarket Office
Dr. Richard Rival
712 Davis Drive, Suite 101A
Newmarket, ON L3Y 8C3
Phone: (905) 830-6711
Outside Ontario: (905) 830-6711
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Facelift

In Toronto, women and men considering facelift surgery choose Dr. Richard A. Rival to get results that turn back the clock, yet still look natural. As a facial plastic surgery specialist, Dr. Rival uses techniques that create a more youthful appearance that doesn’t like you’ve had “work” done. A facelift addresses nasolabial folds, creases, and sagging on the mid-to-lower face, specifically jowls and loose neck skin–sometimes called a “turkey neck.”

Results That Speak for Themselves

Dr. Rival is a facial plastic surgeon whose results are a testament to his experience and technique. Browse our photo gallery to see more of Dr. Rival’s actual patients.


Am I a Facelift Candidate?

Dr. Rival helps you determine whether a facelift is suited to your unique facial anatomy, skin, and aesthetic goals. You should be in good overall health and have reasonable expectations about your results. If you’re a smoker, you will need to quit. Men and women visit Dr. Rival in Toronto or Newmarket for facelift surgery for one or more of the following improvements:

  • Tightening loose skin in the neck and jawline
  • Improving the appearance of wrinkles and lines in the mid-face area

Is a Facelift All I Need to Look Younger?

A facelift rejuvenates the lower half of the face. Most faces, though, show signs of aging around the eyes and forehead so you may want to combine other procedures with a facelift to produce comprehensive results. During your consultation, Dr. Rival explains these procedures, which may include:

  • Brow lift: Lifting sagging eyebrows and minimizing forehead wrinkles can restore a calm, rested look to the upper face.
  • Eyelid surgery: Dr. Rival may recommend upper eyelid surgery instead of a brow lift to provide a rested, refreshed appearance. He may also combine lower and upper eyelid surgery to remove loose eyelid skin and puffy fat pockets using incisions that are concealed in natural creases, along the lash line or within the lower eyelid.
  • Mid-facelift: This procedure addresses sagging cheeks and smooths folds near the nose and mouth. It may also reduce jowls.
  • Neck lift: The neck is often the focus of patients’ concerns. A neck lift tightens wrinkled skin and vertical banding, and minimizes a double chin and excess neck fat. Dr. Rival usually performs the procedure as part of a facelift but offers it as a separate procedure as well.
  • Dermal fillers: Using fillers to restore fullness that is naturally lost over the years is an effective complement to facelift surgery. These treatments are often used to fill out the temples, cheeks, and hollows under the eyes.

Combining procedures during a single operation is common and safe and can save you time and money. Discuss your options with Dr. Rival at your consultation.

Your Consultation

The consultation really sets the stage for a successful outcome. It’s your chance to ask questions about the procedure, describe your concerns, and explain your aesthetic goals to Dr. Rival.

Evaluating Your Face

Dr. Rival conducts a thorough examination so he can tailor the surgery to your specific needs. He assesses the face’s bone structure and the skin’s thickness, texture, and elasticity. He records the severity of your facial wrinkles and folds and examines your hairline to determine the best incision locations. The goal of facelift surgery, in Dr. Rival’s view, is to refresh your appearance in a way that is balanced and appears natural. To help achieve that goal, Dr. Rival takes specific measurements of your face to guide the procedure.

Setting Expectations

Clearly envisioning your potential results helps establish realistic expectations. That’s why we use computer imaging. The digital imaging system is a valuable tool to help you see how different procedures can affect the overall appearance of your face.

Once you’ve decided to proceed with the surgery, Dr. Rival’s staff reviews the fees, helps you determine any medical coverage, and educates you about the recovery process.

Your Facelift Procedure

Dr. Rival performs facelift surgery as an outpatient procedure using a light general anesthetic or a local anesthetic with deep sedation. He begins by making an incision on each side of the face, hidden in the hairline at the temple. For women, the incision travels down along the opening of the ear; for men, Dr. Rival places it slightly outside of the ear opening. That prevents the whiskers from ending up right outside the ear when he removes the loose skin. The incision then extends around the earlobe, up the back of the ear, and into the hairline behind the ear. After healing, hair and makeup typically conceal the incisions.

After elevating the skin, Dr. Rival repositions and tightens the deeper tissues and removes excess skin and fat. This creates contours that appear youthful and natural. He may make a small incision beneath the chin and remove fatty tissue and smooth the cord-like structures of the underlying muscle in the neck, called the platysma muscle.

Dr. Rival often combines facelift surgery with a neck lift to restore the appearance of the jaw and neckline.

Dr. Richard Rival smiling

Why Choose Dr. Richard Rival

Dr. Rival focuses exclusively on facial plastic surgery, bringing a specialist's unmatched technical skill and sense of aesthetics to each procedure.

Meet Dr. Rival

Your Recovery

You return home after surgery wearing a light head dressing, with suction drains placed under the skin. Dr. Rival removes drains and dressings the day after surgery at the first post-op appointment. Experiences vary after facelift surgery. Most patients experience some bruising and swelling, which usually peaks during the first 4 days. You can minimize swelling by keeping your head elevated at all times for the first few days. It is helpful to sleep propped up with pillows or in a recliner.

Most patients experience little discomfort, needing medication to manage pain for only the first few days. It’s not unusual for the skin and scalp to feel itchy, tight and numb, especially around the incisions. Normal sensation typically returns within a few months. Don’t be surprised if you feel more emotional during the first few days because your face and neck will be bruised and swollen, and your incisions will be noticeable. These concerns resolve gradually over 2 to 3 weeks as the results emerge.

Most patients feel ready to return to work at this time. You can return to normal activities, but Dr. Rival recommends avoiding strenuous activities for 4 to 6 weeks. Dr. Rival fully covers the details and risks of this procedure at your consultation.

To find out how a face lift may help you look years younger, request a consultation with Dr. Rival in Newmarket or Toronto using our online consultation form or call us toll-free at (866) 229-3223.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of a facelift?

The price of a facelift varies based on a number of factors. The extent of the surgery—including whether it involves the neck—can influence the total cost. At our practice, a facelift performed by Dr. Rival typically ranges from $12,000 to $15,000 (+HST).

What is the right age for a facelift?

Most facelift patients are at least 40—and usually in their 50s or 60s. If a patient has a lot of loose skin at a younger age, such as after significant weight loss, then a facelift may help. Some patients also wonder if they are too old for cosmetic facial surgery. Dr. Rival believes there is no age limit on reviving one’s confidence and vitality. He can make special considerations for older patients who may have concerns about anesthesia or other age-related complications.

How Long Will My Results Last?

Facelift results are long-lasting. While this procedure will not stop the aging process, patients usually continue to look younger than their actual age for many years.

What is a mini-facelift?

If you’ve done much research about a mini-facelift, you probably already know that different plastic surgeons have different answers to this question. In some cases, the phrase mini-facelift is used only as a marketing tool. I consider a mini-facelift appropriate for younger patients who are seeing the early signs of aging. A mini-facelift typically requires smaller incisions and a shorter recovery period and is targeted to specific areas of the face. Every patient’s facelift surgery is customized to their concerns, no matter what it is called.

Will my results be obvious?

Dr. Rival’s primary goal is ensuring that results look natural, so you’ll look like a younger version of yourself after surgery. His vast experience and specialization in facial plastic surgery have helped him hone his skills and his patients are overwhelmingly satisfied with their results.

What are the risks of facelift surgery?

All operations pose risks, but the facelift procedure is extremely safe. There is a minor risk of infection, complications related to anesthesia, and bleeding issues such as the formation of hematomas. These risks are rare, and Dr. Rival uses only the safest surgical facilities. He discusses any risks specific to your procedure at the time of your consultation.

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