Facelift
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Facelift before and afters
Start with people whose shape looks more like yours. Compare the full before and after, the timing, the angles, and the practice that published it.
Before
AfterBitner Facial Plastic Surgery of UtahSalt Lake City, UTPractice-published
Before
AfterShah Aesthetic Surgery - Rhinoplasty and Facelift SpecialistEnglewood, COPractice-published
Before
AfterThe Clinic of Facial Plastic SurgeryBuffalo, NYPractice-published
Before
AfterDonath Facial Plastic Surgery: Dr. Alexander Donath, MD, FACSCincinnati, OHPractice-published
Before
AfterZuliani Facial Aesthetics: Dr. Giancarlo F. Zuliani, MDBloomfield Hills, MIPractice-published
ResultPeter Jay Abramson, MD - Abramson Facial Plastic Surgery & Rejuvenation CenterSandy Springs, GAPractice-published
ResultSmith Cosmetic SurgeryCentennial, COPractice-published
ResultWinslow Facial Plastic Surgery: Catherine Winslow MDCarmel, INPractice-published
ResultWestfield Plastic Surgery CenterOmaha, NEPractice-published
ResultNebraska Medicine Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery | Dreams MedSpaOmaha, NEPractice-published
ResultVincent Surgical ArtsCottonwood Heights, UTPractice-published
ResultDr. Craig OserPittsburgh, PA
before & after photo sets
Practice-published facelift photo sets on Afters. Compare starting points, angles, and timing—not only the after.
average planning cost
A midpoint from the current $9,000–$19,000 national research range. Your written quote may be higher or lower.
typical recovery
Treat this as a planning estimate. Comfort, work, exercise, and the settled result happen on different timelines.
doctors & clinics
Active Afters profiles that list facelift. Compare relevant work, credentials, and communication.
The procedure, plainly
What facelift is trying to change.
Somewhere along the way the jawline softens, the cheeks slide down, and a little crepiness shows up at the neck. Creams and injectables can do a lot, but at some point they stop keeping up, and that's the moment people start looking at a facelift. A good modern facelift doesn't pull your skin tight, it repositions the deeper tissue that has drifted, so you look rested and like yourself, not wind-blown. Depending on how much has shifted, that ranges from a lighter lift to a deep-plane one, and the results tend to hold for 10–15 years.
Know what you want to understand before you compare the work.
Candidacy is a conversation
Who may be considering it
- 01You're seeing sagging in the jowls, mid-face, or neck that products no longer touch.
- 02You want a real, lasting reset rather than topping up injectables every few months.
- 03You're in good health and somewhere in the 40–70 range, roughly.
- 04Your worry is looking 'done,' and you want natural over dramatic.
What the process may involve
What to expect
Plan to lie low for a couple of weeks, that's the honest ask. Surgery runs several hours, with incisions tucked along your hairline and around your ears where they hide. Bruising and swelling peak around day three and ease over 2–3 weeks, which is when most people feel okay being seen. Then the subtle stuff keeps improving for months. A good lift ages with you instead of freezing you, so five years on you still look like you, just less tired.
Sourced context
Facelift by the numbers.
Facelift procedures have increased 8% year-over-year, driven by deep plane technique popularity
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 2022 StatisticsDeep plane facelifts tend to last longer than traditional SMAS techniques because they reposition deeper tissue layers
Source: Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Facelift Longevity StudyFacelifts have one of the highest satisfaction rates among cosmetic procedures when performed by board-certified surgeons
Source: ASPS National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery StatisticsResearch on appearance bias
Appearance shapes how people are treated.
facial balance
perceived age
rested appearance
first impressions
photo confidence
self-perception
social confidence
quality of life
See what you like. Save it. Then talk it through.
Browse resultsSave what catches your eye
Save the results you want to discuss
Browse practice-published before-and-afters. Save the ones that match your taste or the change you have in mind.
Browse and saveUnderstand the treatment before you compare practices.
What facelift can do
What is facelift?
Facelift (commonly called a rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that reshapes specific facial or body features to improve appearance, symmetry, or function.
A practice profile is a starting point. Ask who will treat you, how often they perform it, and what kind of change is realistic for your body. Before you book, independently confirm the clinician's license and relevant credentials.
- Appointment
- Varies
- Anesthesia
- Ask surgeon
- Recovery
- 2-3 weeks
See whether it fits you
Could facelift be a fit for me?
A good consultation makes room for your health, your goals, and the tradeoffs of the plan. You may be a reasonable candidate if:
- You are in good overall physical and mental health.
- You are a non-smoker, or can stop nicotine for the period your surgeon requires.
- You are at a stable weight and can take the recommended time away from work and exercise.
- You want improvement—not perfection—and understand that healing varies by person.
You deserve clear answers.
Online satisfaction percentages cannot predict your outcome. Before you decide, understand who will treat you, why this plan fits, what kind of result is realistic, what recovery may ask of you, and what the full cost includes.
Facelift and clinician credentials
Confirm medical licensing, relevant board certification, facility accreditation, and the follow-up plan.
You can verify ABPS certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also explains what to check for patient safety.
Ask in the consultation
- How would you tailor facelift to my body and the change I want?
- What is included in the quote, and what could change the price later?
- What may I feel or see at each stage of recovery?
Plan beyond the appointment
Facelift recovery, step by step
“2-3 weeks” is a planning estimate. Ask what you may feel or see at each stage and when the practice wants to hear from you.
- Day 1Rest with the support your surgical team recommends. Expect grogginess, swelling, bruising, and carefully managed discomfort.
- Days 2–7Swelling often peaks early, then begins to ease. Follow wound-care, garment, medication, sleeping, and activity instructions exactly.
- Week 2Many patients resume desk work and light social activity, while exercise and lifting remain limited.
- Weeks 3–4Your surgeon checks healing and may begin clearing light activity as swelling continues to improve.
- Months 2–12Results refine as deeper swelling resolves and scars, when present, continue to mature.
Your own timeline may be different. The practice should explain what is normal for you and when to check in.
Talk through the risks
Ask which risks apply to this treatment and to you. That may include infection, bleeding, scarring, changes in sensation, or unexpected healing. You should also know who to call and how the practice handles a complication.
Get ready without guessing
- Review every medication and supplement with your surgical team; do not stop prescribed medicine without their direction.
- Follow the practice’s nicotine, alcohol, food, and fasting instructions.
- Fill prescriptions, arrange your ride and caregiver, and prepare a comfortable recovery space.
- Confirm the time you need away from work—typically 2-3 weeks.
Know what the day includes
How long to block off. Ask how long the operation takes, but check-in, preparation, recovery, and discharge instructions add time.
Comfort plan. Ask whether anesthesia or numbing is part of the plan. Ask who provides it and what the team does if you have an unexpected reaction.
Know the full cost
See the whole number before you say yes
Use the researched facelift range as a starting point. Then ask for one written quote that includes the plan, follow-up, and anything that could change the price later.
Typical research range
$9,000–$19,000
Midpoint of the range: $14,000
Ask this out loud
“What could make my final cost higher or lower after you see me in person?”
What belongs in the quote
- Whether the plan is a mini facelift, deep-plane facelift, neck lift, or a combined surgery.
- Anesthesia, accredited facility fees, and who handles you after hours.
- What follow-up visits are included and what would cost extra later.
Why the number may change
Financing companies to ask about
Not every practice accepts every company. Afters is not affiliated with these lenders. Compare the total amount you would repay, the APR, the term, and every fee. The total matters more than the monthly payment.
Read the CFPB financing guide
Take your questions with you.
Bring the questions, a short prep list, and one page for the answers you want to remember. Save it to your phone or print it before the consultation.
Personalized for your Facelift consultation
Consultation cheat sheet
Questions for my Facelift consultation
Personal planning edition
- 1What makes facelift a good match for the change I want?
- 2What other options would you want me to consider before I decide?
- 3Can we look at before and afters from people who started somewhere close to me?
- 4How would you tailor the facelift plan to my body and goals?
- 5Who will perform my procedure, and what license, credentials, and training do they have?
Before you go
- Bring a current medication, supplement, allergy, and health history list.
- Save a few Facelift results that show what you like and what you do not want.
Notes to bring home
- The plan, in my own words
- The result they believe is realistic
Patient perspective
Put the procedure beside a real decision.
Follow the work back
Practices publishing facelift results.
A profile is a starting point. Compare relevant cases, consistency, credentials, communication, and a consultation that respects the limits of the procedure.
The practical commitment
What this may ask of your budget and your calendar.
National researched range
$9,000–$19,000The final quote may combine surgeon, facility, anesthesia, garments, medication, and follow-up care.
Read the complete cost guideTypical recovery
2-3 weeksBandages removed
2–3 daysBack to work
2–3 weeksBruising fades
2–4 weeksFinal results
3–6 monthsCompare the alternatives
Similar goal. Meaningfully different path.
Research locally
Facelift in major cities.
Explore practices and practice-published results in markets with relevant documented work.
Before you decide
Let’s make the confusing parts clearer.
What is facelift?+
Facelift (also known as Rhytidectomy) is a cosmetic procedure. Compare practice-published results, cost, recovery, and relevant practices before deciding whether it fits your goals.
How much does facelift cost?+
National averages typically range from $9,000 to $19,000, but the final quote varies by practice, location, technique, and what is included.
How long is recovery for facelift?+
Typical recovery is 2-3 weeks, although comfort, return to work, exercise, and final results happen on different timelines.
How do I find a facelift specialist near me?+
Use the Facelift near-me directory to find practices in your area, then compare relevant before-and-after work and ask how often they perform the procedure.
Read this before your next conversation.
A plain-language guide to cost, planning, and the questions you may want to ask.
Keep exploring procedures
View allComplete location directory
Find facelift research near you.
Florida4 cities+
California3 cities+
Georgia2 cities+
Texas2 cities+
Arizona2 cities+
Colorado2 cities+
Nevada1 cities+
New York1 cities+
Nebraska1 cities+
Let the work make it real
Save what feels right. We’ll help with the next step.
Browse practice-published facelift results, notice what you consistently like, and bring those examples into a conversation about your own starting point.
Show me relevant resultsPrivate until you choose to share