What Is a Facelift/Neck Lift?
Procedure Cost
Facelift
$8,999 - $15,505*
*Price listed is an estimate
A facelift procedure (also known as a rhytidectomy) involves tightening loose skin on your face and neck to create a smoother, more youthful facial appearance.
Types of Facelifts
U of U Health offers several surgical options that smooth facial aging including standard face lifts, mini facelifts, and neck lifts. Your board-certified surgeon will help you decide which procedure will best fit your needs.
Standard Facelift
This surgery tightens the skin of the cheeks, neck, and jowls. It typically rejuvenates the face by ten to 15 years and maintains lasting effects for a similar timeframe. It's important to note the skin on your face continues to age after the surgery, which is why the results aren't permanent.
A standard facelift surgery may take anywhere from two to six hours depending on the extent of your surgery.
Scars from a facelift are hidden in your hairline and around your ears. Your specialist will tighten the skin and underlying muscle to create a youthful, fresh appearance.
Standard facelifts are normally outpatient procedures, but some patients elect to stay overnight for monitoring and assistance.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift tightens the face and jowls but does not do as much for your neck as a standard facelift. It may be a good option for:
- younger patients with mild jowls or
- as a touch-up for someone who has already had a standard facelift.
This procedure doesn't provide the same amount of facial rejuvenation or the same lasting effects as a standard facelift but may be a better choice for some people.
Neck Lift
A neck lift focuses on the loose skin of the neck without doing much for the cheeks and jowls. It is less complex and takes less time than a standard facelift but does not provide as much rejuvenation in other areas. Neck lifts may be good options for:
- younger patients with only a small amount of early neck looseness,
- those who have had a previous standard facelift and would like a touch up of the neck, or
- older patients looking for improvement only on loose neck skin.
Neck lift surgery usually lasts between one and three hours and is recommended for people who have loose neck skin. You should note that this procedure only addresses the neck.
If you would like to see rejuvenation elsewhere on your face, you should consider a standard facelift. Some patients also choose to have a brow or forehead lift alongside a facelift.
To determine if a standard facelift, mini facelift, and/or neck lift are the right decision for you, request a consultation with one of our facial plastic and reconstruction specialists.
To determine if a standard facelift, mini facelift, and/or neck lift are the right decision for you, request a consultation with one of our facial plastic and reconstruction specialists.
CALL 801-587-2173 TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Facelift
Before you get a facelift, your plastic surgeon will talk about these things with you:
- overall health—as with any surgery, you need to be healthy enough to have surgery and recover from surgery if you're considering a facelift.
- rapid weight gain or weight loss—if you're likely to gain or lose a lot of weight before or after a facelift, then you may want to postpone a facelift until your weight stabilizes. Gaining or losing a lot of weight can change the shape of your face, which may affect how long the results from a facelift last.
- expectations for the surgery—your surgeon should talk about your expectations for the procedure. Results of a facelift can vary from person to person, depending on your age and the quality and looseness of your skin before the surgery.
The shape of your neck may also determine whether you're a candidate for a facelift. Some patients will be able to have a more defined jawline than others depending on their neck features.
How Long Does a Facelift Last?
For most patients, results from a facelift will last about 10 years. The skin on your face will continue to age after you have a facelift, which is why the results aren't permanent.
Facelift Recovery Time
Recovery time after a standard facelift, mini facelift, or neck lift is fairly quick. Most patients will be back to their day-to-day routine after one to three weeks.
Twenty-Four Hours After Surgery
It’s important to plan accordingly for your first night home. Arrange to have a family member or friend who is dedicated to taking care of only you during the first 24 hours of recovery. You’ll likely feel the effects of the anesthesia and prescription pain medication after surgery, which means no driving. Some patients consider arranging for some extra help with their children, too.
We also recommend meal-prepping soft foods like pasta or baked potatoes for your first few days of recovery ahead of your surgery
First Week After Surgery
You will have some swelling and bruising during the first week after your facelift. After the end of the first week, we will remove your sutures and you'll be able to wear makeup again.
Second Week After Surgery
Your incisions (cuts) will still be a little red. At the end of the second week, you should be able to go back to work or school. Most of your swelling and bruising should also be gone.
Learn More About Facial Cosmetic Procedures
How Long Does a Facelift Last?
For most patients, results from a facelift will last about 10 years. The skin on your face will continue to age after you have a facelift, which is why the results aren't permanent.
How Is A Facelift Done?
Surgery for a facelift will last between two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours.
Your surgeon will first make small incisions (cuts) behind your hairline and around your ear. Depending on the area of your face that you would like lifted, your surgeon will separate your skin from your fat and muscle. Then, your surgeon will remove any extra fat and pull your skin back in place.
Some surgeons may remove extra skin to give your face and neck a tighter-looking appearance.
Some patients also choose to have a brow or forehead lift alongside a facelift.
To determine if a facelift, mini facelift, and/or neck lift are the right decision for you, request a consultation with one of our facial plastic and reconstruction specialists.
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