Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging on the face and neck. As your face ages, the skin and muscles of the face begin to lose tone and elasticity. In addition to the skin losing tone, the facial fat that helps define your features can fall or become displaced as you age. A facelift can improve the most visible signs of aging by tightening deeper structures, redraping the skin of the face and neck, and removing selected areas of fat. A facelift can also improve your appearance by reducing the deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of your mouth. See our Face lift FAQs

Facelift patients should review and follow our pre-operative and post-operative instructions.

Facelift video: Facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve the visible signs of aging in the face and neck.

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Face Lift FAQs

Am I a good candidate for a facelift?

A facelift improves the signs of aging. If you have sagging skin of the face, deep wrinkles, loss of muscle volume, displaced fat, or jowls you may benefit from a facelift. During your consultation, we will provide you with our expert opinion on whether you are a good candidate. We will discuss the surgical process along with any possible risks and complications of the surgery.

How should I prepare for my facelift consultation?

Researching facelift on reputable internet sites such as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons can be very informative to help provide an overview. However, the best information will be obtained by making an appointment and speaking with Dr. Johnson. At the time of your consultation it may also be helpful to review before and after photos of patients who have had the procedure. At the time of your consultation, we will provide you with all the needed information for you to be able to make a comfortable, confident decision about having surgery. It's a good idea to write down any questions or concerns you have so they can be fully addressed at your consultation. Know what your surgical expectations are so Dr. Johnson can discuss them with you. If you are a smoker, we recommend you quit to help reduce the risk of wound healing complications. We also recommend a healthy lifestyle to help your recovery proces

Will I be seen by the surgeon?

Yes. Dr. Johnson will meet with you and she will discuss all your surgical options. Dr. Johnson will provide you with the necessary information so that you feel confident and comfortable with your surgical decision.

Will I be charged for an initial consultation?

Yes. There is a $100 cosmetic consultation fee. If you choose to have surgery with Dr. Johnson, the $100 will go towards the surgical fee.

Are there different types of facelift procedures?

A classic facelift is done with an incision in the hairline at the temple area extending down around the ear and into the hairline behind the ear. A second incision is made under the chin to improve the contour of the neck. The underlying tissues/muscles are lifted to provide more volume where it is lost with the aging process. The skin is re-draped and extra skin is removed. Drains are placed to help prevent seromas (fluid collections) under the skin. The extent of the technique is dependent on your concerns and your surgical expectations. Other procedures, such as a brow lift or blepharoplasty, may also address other aspects of the face.

What is the surgical process?

The surgery is performed at a hospital. During surgery you will receive general anesthesia. The surgery will take between 4-5 hours. Once you are awake you are taken to the recovery room for another 1-2 hours. Our recommendation is that you spend one night in the hospital. The drains are removed the following morning, before you go home.

Are there risks involved with a facelift?

Yes, there are risks with any surgical procedure. Some of the possible risks with a facelift are pain, infection, bruising, swelling, wound healing complications, hematoma/seroma, numbness of the incision or facial areas, asymmetry, unsatisfactory results or scars that may require a revision surgery.

What is the recovery process for a facelift?

The first few days you may have discomfort or a pressure feeling of the upper face. The extent of what is performed determines the amount of discomfort that you have. You are sent home on pain medications which will decrease your discomfort. You will have bruising and swelling of the face and it may descend down into the neck area. We will recommend that you ice the area for the first 72 hours to help minimize swelling. We will see you about one week after surgery to evaluate your healing process. We request that you do no strenuous exercise for at least three weeks after surgery. Download our Post-Operative Instructions for Facelift for more information.

We recommend no driving for 2 weeks and no lifting greater than 10 lbs., reaching, pushing or pulling for 4 weeks following surgery.

Will my insurance cover facelift surgery

No. Facelift is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not medically necessary, and will not be covered by insurance carriers.

Can I finance my facelift?

Yes. We offer patient financing through CareCredit or ALPHAEON CREDIT. See our Financing FAQs for more information.

What forms of payment are accepted?

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, cash, money orders, and certified bank checks, or you can finance through CareCredit.

Can I make payments online?

Yes. You can make credit card payments securely online.

Facelift surgery consultations in Longmeadow, MA

When you book a facelift surgery consultation, there is a $100 consultation fee. If you choose to have surgery with Dr. Johnson the $100 will go towards your surgical fee.