As we age, the face loses volume then it sags. A lower face and neck lift is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the jawline, jowls, and neck, by lifting the sagging tissue and removing excess skin. It is considered the gold standard in facial rejuvenation and is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed each year.
Sometimes this surgery is called a facelift. This is a misleading description because it does not rejuvenate the cheeks or the upper face. Surgeries to improve those facial areas include browlift, upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), and midface lift. While lower face and neck lift surgery repositions fallen tissues and removes excess skin, we often use fat grafting with lower face and neck lift surgery to restore volume loss and reverse the signs of aging.
Time and Cost
A lower face and neck lift surgery takes about three to four hours. We perform this surgery usually under general anesthesia. Like all surgical procedures, fees include costs of anesthesia, operating room time and expenses, and a surgeon’s fee.
Recommended Anesthesia
Most facelifts are performed under general anesthesia, although mini-lifts to improve the jowls only can be performed under local anesthesia with or without mild sedation. Our operating room is located on-site at our office, is accredited by the AAAASF, and we have Board-certified anesthesiologists who provide general anesthesia. There are also risks involved so be prepared to discuss your medical history and any concerns you have about the surgical process.
Recovery Period
It can take about two weeks before feeling comfortable enough to return to the public after a lower face and neck lift surgery. During this time, it’s important to rest and follow aftercare instructions to manage swelling and incisions. Swelling takes time to subside, so you may have some minor residual swelling for a few months. This will go away as your final results emerge, so it’s important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions as closely as possible.
Conclusion
The best way to learn more about your options with lower face and neck lift surgery is by meeting with our board-certified surgeons. During a private consultation, you can discuss your goals and create a customized treatment plan using our best techniques and experience. You can schedule a consultation online or give our office a call.
Dr. Ira D. Papel is certified in Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Papel earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. from Boston University of Medicine. He completed a residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Papel is considered an international expert in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and facial aesthetic surgery.
