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Facelift FAQ

If you’re considering a facelift, look over our facelift FAQs to find out more about what this procedure can do for you. The more prepared you are, the easier and more comfortable the facelift process will be.

• What is a facelift?

  A facelift is a procedure used to tighten the lower third of the face. Benefits include reducing jowls, sharpening the angle of the jaw, and reducing vertical folds of skin along the cheeks. To a lesser extent, a facelift tightens the neck and mid-face.

• Types of facelift procedures & incisions?

  The main variables are length and placement of the incision and depth of the tissue plane lifted. The surgeon lifts the flap of skin over the cheeks to access deeper layers. Deeper facia is permanently tightened with powerful and permanent sutures. A traditional facelift incision starts in the scalp directly above the ear and travels along the front and back of the ear before finishing well back in the hairline. That type of facelift provides excellent access to the deeper face and neck tissues but involves greater risk of hematoma, tissue loss, and scarring. It can result in a “pulled look”. More recently, techniques have involved a much shorter incision limited to the sideburn and front of the ear. This greatly limits the scar length and skin can be e-draped in an upward more natural fashion. A variety of names have been given to this type of procedure, including a Mini-facelift, Quick Lift, SMAS Lift and S-Lift.

• What types of facelifts do the surgeons perform?

  Most patients will undergo a mid-depth, short incision lift (S-Lift). Patients with more neck laxity may require a longer incision behind the ear and potentially a short one beneath the chin.

• Payment?

  A 20% non-refundable deposit is due when the surgery is scheduled. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to surgery. We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and Care Credit.

• What anesthesia is used?

  A certified nurse anesthetist administers intravenous (IV) sedation. Conscious sedation, or twilight anesthesia, is used which allows you to breathe naturally and sleep comfortably throughout the procedure. This adds approximately $2750-4350 to the cost of your surgery, depending on whether a longer incision is needed for any neck laxity. Payment for anesthesia is due the day of your procedure and payments are made to T-Medica Mobile Anesthesia Services. Anesthesia fees are likely to increase if you opt to combine surgeries.

• How long does an S-Lift take?

  Surgery itself takes approximately 4-6 hours and longer if there are other procedures being performed, such as a neck lift. You should plan to be in surgery for the majority of the day, depending on the complexity of the surgery.

• What will my recovery be like?

  Generally, you may return to work after 3-5 days after surgery and use make-up/skincare products after your 1-week post-op appointment. This timeline can vary depending on your body’s healing and recovery rate.

• When are the follow-up appointments?

  Most patients are seen at 7-8 days and at 1 month after surgery.

• What are the risks?

  All surgeries have risk of infection, bruising, scarring, swelling, and loss of tissue. Facelift risks also include numbness and loss of movement, though these are rarely permanent.

• What Can a Facelift Offer?

  A facelift is a procedure that is meant to help patients look younger and rejuvenated by getting rid of common signs of aging. It can shave years or even decades off of the patient’s appearance, which is why it’s so popular among those who are advancing in age. It can also be a good option to address premature aging caused by stress, illness, or genetics that common cosmetic solutions can’t effectively treat.

• How Does a Facelift Work?

  The process of getting a facelift involves creating small incisions and then lifting the underlying tissues of the face. This corrects sagging, reducing the appearance of jowls and wrinkles in a way that looks natural.

• When Is the Best Time to Get a Facelift?

  Patients can technically get a facelift at any point as long as they are of legal age. Most patients who get this procedure are in their late 30s to early 60s, depending on how well they have aged. They can also get a facelift more than once with a decade gap between them.

• Can a Facelift Get Rid of Wrinkles?

  By tightening the underlying tissues, a facelift can get rid of several facial wrinkles, including crow’s feet and folds around the nose and mouth.

• Does a Facelift Require a Long Recovery?

  The recovery period after a facelift can range from four to six weeks. There are several factors that can affect the rate of healing, including the quality of rest and the extent of the procedure. If the patient gets both a face and neck lift, for example, the recovery period would be longer.

• How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

  A few factors can have an impact on how much the facelift will cost, which will be covered in the discussions during the consultation.

Learn More

Patients can get in touch with Idaho Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation so that they can learn more about getting a facelift in Boise.