Dr. James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS is a nationally award winning, double board-certified Bellevue plastic surgeon who specializes in providing premiere cosmetic, restorative and reconstructive surgery of the face.
Dr. James Ridgway is an award-winning facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has dedicated his career to perfecting the art and science of facelifts, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and all other facial plastic surgeries. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona, before entering the highly competitive academic residency in Otolaryngology – head and neck surgery – at the University of California, Irvine.
During this time, he studied extensively to gain the skills necessary to provide among the best facial plastic surgery Bellevue WA has to offer, training with several world-renowned authorities in facial plastic surgery, completing his post-doctoral fellowship at the nationally-acclaimed Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, and receiving multiple national awards for his expertise and talent.
When looking for some of the best plastic surgery Bellevue has to offer, one of the most important steps is choosing the surgeon who will be trusted with your procedure. This is far more important than the surgeon’s address or whether or not the office has the latest fat melting equipment. Whether practicing in Bellevue, WA or Beverly Hills, the decision is easier and more reliable when using board certification as a measure of excellence.
Finding the right surgeon can be very stressful even with a referral from a friend or your primary care doctor. Cosmetic surgery requires a very high level of skill as well as a large measure artistic perception. After all, there is no hiding an unsuccessful facial procedure.
Dr. James Ridgway is an award-winning facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has dedicated his career to perfecting the art and science of facelifts, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and all other facial plastic surgeries. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona, before entering the highly competitive academic residency in Otolaryngology – head and neck surgery – at the University of California, Irvine.
During this time, he studied extensively to gain the skills necessary to provide among the best facial plastic surgery Bellevue WA has to offer, training with several world-renowned authorities in facial plastic surgery, completing his post-doctoral fellowship at the nationally-acclaimed Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, and receiving multiple national awards for his expertise and talent.
The face is one of our most defining and personal features. We use it to communicate, express our emotions and interact with the world around us. As is firmly stated in Dr. Ridgway’s philosophy, he believes in the concept of beauty being placed as an individual’s best possible version of himself or herself, both inside and out. He believes that health, family, loving relationships, and other valued aspects of life are the greatest assets. At the same time, as a top plastic surgeon in Bellevue, he understands that looking good helps one feel good. It is through this compound lens that he views his work—making his patients feel good about themselves, in turn allowing them to live their life to the fullest.
Dr. James Ridgway is one of the most highly trained and experienced Seattle plastic surgeons in Washington. He has achieved two separate board certifications in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery as well a fellowship in the American College of Surgeons. Board certification is achieved by surgeons who set very high standards for themselves. The knowledge demanded by the certifying organization goes far beyond the norm. To learn more about the extensive training required to become a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, please visit our “Choosing Your Surgeon” page.
Dr. Ridgway is a proud member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Cosmetic surgery is his specialty having undergone years of training in all forms of facial reconstruction and rejuvenation.
A true facelift involves repairing the sagging from beneath by lifting the muscles and SMAS to a youthful position, suturing it in place and then gently adjusting the surface skin to match the restored muscle structure. This ensures your face and neck does not look stretched or pulled tight but reflects a youthful, refreshed version of you.
As we grow older, the mid-face area begins to lose its youthful appearance. The cheeks begin to sag, and suddenly we see a tired and weathered face staring back at us in the mirror. When this occurs, a mid-face lift can address the signs of aging in this specific area, restoring a refreshed and revitalized overall look.
Lax skin, drooping features, and deep wrinkles can cause you to appear older far before your time. Fortunately, an expertly-performed mid-face lift can give you back your youthful appearance by:
In addition, the mid-face lift is less intensive than our traditional facelift in Bellevue. That means it provides you with a beautiful and refreshed overall appearance – but with quicker results, a shorter recovery time, and less bruising and swelling.
Dr. Ridgway understands there are many questions to be asked and answered during the initial decision making process. As patients gather information they naturally have concerns about undergoing facial plastic surgery and how these changes will affect their appearance.
During your first consultation Dr. Ridgway will get to know you by listening carefully to what you are expecting to achieve and also by asking questions so that he thoroughly understands your goals.
After performing an examination of your face assessing your skin elasticity, muscle tone and facial structure, he will provide his recommendations. Dr. Ridgway will explain his surgical plan and answer questions that are certain to come up.
During the consultation process you will be able to look at photos of Bellevue facelift patients who had similar concerns to yours so you can assess Dr. Ridgway’s work. Dr. Ridgway is happy to answer questions as you go through the process no matter how long you need.
Length of Surgery:
Anesthesia:
Normal recovery:
Possible side effects:
