Whether you have sagging or excess skin, bands or creases across your neck, muscular issues or maybe you just want your neckline more contoured, a neck lift if the procedure that you may want to consider. The average cost of a neck lift in the US is around $7,000 and many surgeons offer little or no financing options for a surgery such as this. Other concerns include finding a surgeon that is well trained, board certified surgeon and who will deliver the best results for your expectations while also considering that that the outcome of a surgeons work is not always the same. Therefore you want to find the right surgeon for you that will take their time and make sure that you get the best results possible. That is hard to find nowadays in the US when plastic surgeons don't even need to be US Boarded to perform such surgeries.

Procedure Details

As women age, their skin begins to discolor, sag and become less elastic, especially in the face. There is no natural correction to this issue - although many products on the market promise differently, however it can be corrected by having a face lift. Face lift surgery can remove sagging skin, make you look more youthful and remove wrinkles (as well as possible aging spots depending on size/location). It will also create more uplifted contours and improved tone in the facial skin and underlying muscle.

Face lifts are elective cosmetic surgeries, and therefore, are generally not covered by insurance. However, if a procedure is to correct genetic deformities or traumatic injuries, the patient may be reimbursed in whole or part by medical insurance.

A face lift may be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures like a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. The primary difference between face lifts in men and women is placement of the incision. There are several different face lift surgeries, so discuss your goals with your surgeon.

A face lift is the second most commonly used cosmetic procedure among women. It is a surgical procedure tightens underlying tissue, removes excess fat and reduces sagging skin. Some women choose to have their neck/chin/above the brow done at the same time. Incisions will be placed in inconspicuous areas like around the ear or in the hairline. For neck lifts, the incision will be made beneath the chin. There are several types of face lifts: standard or traditional face lift, deep plan face lift, mini-incision or short scar face lift, S-lift, and mid-face lift.

Standard (traditional) face lift: a thin incision is made in the hairline above the ear, extending downward around and behind the earlobe, and then back into the hair. Shaving the head is not necessary. The surgeon removes excess fat and skin, sutures are inserted to tighten deep layers of muscles and connective tissue, and the face is lifted and tightened.

"Deep Plan" face lift: Will elevate facial muscle and fat that lies below the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer. Fat pads in the cheek and mid-face will be secured into their natural positions. This type of lift is intended to reduce the appearance of deep creases between the nose and mouth.

Mini-incision face lift: Sometimes referred to as a "Short Scar" face lift, intrudes on less tissue than the standard facelift. It is performed through a short incision made within the temporal hairline and down to the earlobe. Deep internal surgery is then done on the SMAS and platysma muscle. Excess fat and skin is removed from the neck and jowls, and the face is lifted and tightened.

An "S-lift" face lift: Refers to the shape of the incision near the ear. This technique involves suturing the SMAS and ESP (extension of the supraplatysmal plane). By doing this, the soft tissue of the cheek bones will provide stability and fullness to the area.

A Mid-Face face lift: Tiny incisions will be made in the hairline and inside the mouth. Through these incisions, the fat pads of the cheek will be repositioned up and back into the natural position over the cheek bones.

Risks and Side Effects

Your surgeon will be happy to discuss the risks associated with this surgery in more detail. Risks may include: swelling and bruising for approx 2-4 weeks for a full face lift and 1-2 weeks for mini face lift. On the rare occasion that a patient encounters complications with a face lift, these are the most common problems: hematoma, infection, disruption of incision, skin loss, skin flap necrosis, facial paresis or paralysis, local numbness, alopecia, wide scarring, hypertrophicscarring, deformity of earlobes, irregularity of neck contour, hyperpigmentation, prominent small blood vessels, facial asymmetry, or parotid gland pseaudocyst.

Your surgeon will discuss the best type of anesthesia for you, anesthesia is usually administered either by IV or as a general. Most face lifts are performed as an outpatient surgery, in which you will recover at a hotel the same day, or as an inpatient procedure, requiring a 1 or 2 day stay in a surgery clinic or hospital.

Post Operative Care

Surgery is never an exact science. Therefore, although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

Following your physician's instructions will add to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Please review your doctors specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery.

After surgery you will be wearing dressings or bandages over the incisions to minimize swelling and support healing. Also, a thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect, this will be removed before you return home.

Drains and bandages will be removed by your surgeon the second or third post-operative day. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to maximize comfort. Mild to moderate swelling should disappear over about 3 weeks. Minimal bruising should diminish in 3 to 7 days.

Pain should subside by the second or third post-operative day, and it can be managed with medication prescribed by the surgeon. Swelling peaks at about the third postoperative day and should disappear rapidly over 3 weeks. Minimal bruising may appear 2 days after surgery and should diminish in 3 to 7 days.

Resources

Facelift information from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. It gives a concise but accurate information about the whole procedure and what can facelifts can do for you.

The authority on plastic surgery, this official site of the the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is extensive and will give you more information about the procedure.

A blog entry about facial surgery, this one involves a quick account of what facelifts can do to self-esteem and personality.

This is a time and picture generated video of the aging process in a 58-year old woman and her astounding improvements after facial surgery.

FAQ

Q: When will I see the final results of the procedure?
A: The final results of your face lift will be apparent in 1-2 months. Scars will fade over time, but will be permanent. Over time, however, your face will continue to change due to age/gravity, but you can help ensure the best results by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Q: How much does the procedure cost?
A: Cost is always a consideration in this type of surgery. Prices for face lift procedures can vary widely. A surgeon's cost for face lift may vary based on his or her experience as well as geographic location. The only way to get you an accurate quote, is to allow the surgeons to see frontal and side view pictures of the area for quote purposes. This information is secure and confidential and we request that you do not take any shots with identifying information for privacy reasons.

Q: What is a facelift?
A: A facelift is a cosmetically surgical procedure which improves the visible signs of aging in the face and neck. This procedure is also known as rhytidectomy. Unfortunately the aging process will continue after a facelift.

Q: How long will a facelift last?
A: Provided you do not smoke, are in good general health, do not abuse the sun, and maintain a constant weight, a facelift can last more than 10 years.

Q: Will insurance cover a facelift?
A: Unfortunately, most insurance plans do not cover elective surgeries; however it does not hurt to ask. You can also opt for financing this procedure.

Q: Is there pain after a facelift?
A: As with any surgical procedure, some discomfort may be expected. Mild discomfort may be felt, but most patients complain more of a pulling sensation under the chin and some tightness from swelling.

Q: Am I a good candidate for a facelift?
A: An ideal candidate should be emotionally and mentally stable with realistic expectations. A person with jowls, loose neck skin, lots of wrinkles and a general saggy appearance of the skin on the face and neck.

Q: How long will a facelift take?
A: Depending on the individual and the amount of work to be done, a facelift can take about two hours.

Q: Can I have more than one facial procedure consecutively?
A: It is becoming common to have more than one cosmetic procedure at the same time. It reduces the cost, recovery and pain period.

Q: When can I return to work after my facelift?
A: Most patients are able to return to work and normal activities within two weeks.

Q: Will insurance cover my facelift?
A: Unfortunately, most insurance plans do not cover elective surgeries; however it does not hurt to ask. You can also opt for financing this procedure.