Research > Face and Neck Lift

Cost of Face and Neck Lift

According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the average U.S. cost of facelift surgery is $6,629. There are no immediately available figures from this organization on the cost of combining facelift surgery with a neck lift.

The national average fee refers to the surgeon's fee only and does not include charges for the surgical facility, anesthesia, and anesthesiologist – nor does it include any medical tests, prescriptions, or other miscellaneous costs related
to face and neck lift surgery.

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Benefits of Face and Neck Lift

Face and Neck Lift Surgery can result in a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance of the face and neck. By eliminating loose, sagging facial skin, facelift surgery can tighten the facial skin and create a “lifted” effect that significantly reduces the visible signs of aging. When combined with neck lift, the procedure can reverse the visible signs of aging on the neck as well, including sagging skin, wrinkles, and thick bands.

How is face and neck lift surgery performed?

Over the past several decades, facelift surgery has evolved from simple skin lifting to more complex, deeper plane lifting techniques.

Normally, the facelift portion of the procedure commences with incisions in front of and behind the ear, which may extend into the scalp.Once the incisions are made, various degrees of undermining of the skin are performed, and the deeper layers of the face are ‘lifted’ to create a more youthful appearance.

Muscle tightening occurs as well. The neck lift portion of the procedure involves liposuction of the neck and jowls, and excess skin is either removed or repositioned. This results in a tightening of soft facial tissues to reinstate a more youthful contour to the face.

How much pain is associated with face and neck lift?

Initial post-operative swelling and mild pain is normal following face and neck lift; these are managed with head elevation, ice packs, and any pain medications recommended by your surgeon. Refraining from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke will also speed up the healing process and reduce the risks of severe pain.

Face and Neck Lift Surgery Recovery

After your surgeon removes the surgical dressings and drains, puffiness and discoloration may be present (and more pronounced in some areas of the face). Most swelling is noted in the first 24 to 48 hours, but diminishes over a period of weeks; the majority of bruising should diminish within the first two weeks. Concealer and other types of makeup are usually permitted after the first week. Facial numbness is also normal, and may take a period of several months to fully resolve.

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions regarding caring for the dressings and incisions, pain medication, specific concerns to look for, and when to schedule a follow-up appointment. Often, incision scars will fade after a period of six months; however, they are easily covered by the hairline. Do not strain, bend, or lift during the
initial post-operative period.

Risks of Face and Neck Lift

Some of the potential complications that may occur from face and neck lift surgery include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin), infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Qualified plastic surgeons are trained to safely manipulate facial skin and tissues; however, injury to underlying structures is possible, though usually any visible results of this are temporary. As stated, facelift incisions are not easily seen; however, each patient’s healing process is different and some scars may linger. It is imperative to follow your surgeon’s instructions following face and neck lift to minimize scarring.

Who is the ideal candidate for face and neck lift?

The ideal candidate for face and neck lift is a healthy person (male or female) of average weight over the age of 45 who seeks to reverse the visible signs of aging on the face and neck. Each surgeon’s criteria for face and neck lift may vary; some surgeons may perform the procedure on younger patients, and others may impose an age limit on patients who wish to undergo the procedure (for example, some surgeons may refuse to perform the procedure on patients between 65 and 80 years of age).