Facelift Surgery Explained
A facelift is surgery to change the lower face and neck. The word covers several techniques, so a good first step is learning the vocabulary and asking each surgeon what their terms mean. The guides below cover one question each, in plain language.
If cost is your first question, expect prices to depend on the surgeon and the region. A specialty society's blog post on what a facelift costs covers the topic, and you should ask any surgeon you consult for a written quote.
Facelift guides
- How a Deep Plane Facelift Works: what the term refers to, and what to ask about technique.
- When a Mini Facelift Makes Sense: how to think about a limited facelift against a fuller one.
- Facelift Recovery Week by Week: how to plan for recovery and what to ask about your own schedule.
- What the SMAS Facelift Lifts: what the SMAS is, and why surgeons mention it.
- Best Age for a Facelift: why age alone is a weak way to decide.
- Adding Fat Grafting to a Facelift: what to ask if a surgeon suggests combining the two.
Choosing who performs it
Who performs the operation is a separate question from which technique is used. A peer-reviewed paper comparing aesthetic surgery fellowship match trends across plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery and oculofacial surgery is one place to read about how surgeons' training routes are tracked. Ask any surgeon you consult where they trained and how often they perform the specific operation you are considering.
How a clinic page and a society page describe the operation
If you prefer a clinical description, a university health system's page on facelift facial surgery is a plain place to begin. For the downsides, a specialty society's page on facelift risks and safety is the one to read before a consultation. Read both and compare what each one chooses to emphasize.
Turning facelift terms into consultation questions
Once you have read the guide that fits, list the terms you could not follow. In a consultation, ask the surgeon to name the technique they would use, to say what it changes and what it leaves alone, and to describe the recovery they expect for you.