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Price of facelift procedures: a comprehensive guide

Have some of your friends had a facelift and loved their results? Have you been thinking about getting a facelift yourself? It is an idea worth considering. But before you go ahead with it, one of the things you'll need to look at is the cost of a facelift. There's more than one type of procedure and the price varies. The good news is that we've done all the research for you!



The cost of a facelift from a board certified plastic surgeon is well worth it when you consider safety and outcomes

 

We're going to give you the average cost of a facelift and the factors that affect the price range of a lifting procedure.

Where to Research the Average Cost of a Facelift?

Besides reading this article, you may want to do additional research about the cost of a facelift surgical procedure. As noted, there are different types of facelift procedures, such as mini facelifts, full facelift (rhytidectomy), deep plane facelift, with a big difference in costs. There are three key places where you can search for information about the amount of money you'll need to spend on a facelift. These websites will also give you advice on selecting a surgeon, scheduling a consultation, and comparing prices between different types of surgery.  

  1. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery website offers advice about the standard of care for a facelift surgery as well as finding board certified plastic surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is another good website for information on facelift costs and surgeon fees.
  2. Articles on the internet about plastic surgery procedures often include the average fees charged by a board certified surgeon for that procedure.
  3. Websites of individual plastic surgery offices sometimes allow you to get in touch with a surgeon and get a free quote.

With the combined information from these sources, you can get an answer to the question: How much is a facelift? But to make things easy for you, we've done all the hard work. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about facelift surgery pricing.

 

 

Average Price of Facelift Surgery

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, in 2018, the average price of a facelift was between $7,700 and $11,780. These prices are for the United States. They were determined by pooling information from approximately 8,000 plastic surgeons. The facelift cost in your area can be higher or lower, depending on where you live.

It is worth noting that the average facelift surgery cost mentioned above is the price the surgeon charges to do a facelift. It does not include additional costs such as hospital or surgical center fees, anesthesia costs, medications, follow-up, and other expenses. When you get a quote from a plastic surgeon, make sure it includes these additional costs. Only then will you truly know how much a facelift is.

Definition of a Standard Facelift and a Mini Facelift

In plastic surgery, there are specific definitions for the different techniques used during a facelift.

A standard face lift surgery focuses on the cheeks, neck, and jowls. It is usually an outpatient procedure that is performed in a hospital setting. A full facelift includes a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, mid facelift, and lower facelift. The procedure takes anywhere from 2 to 6 hours to complete. 

A lunchtime facelift is also called a thread lift because the surgeon uses threads to hook sagging skin and pull it up. The price of a lunchtime facelift starts from around $1,500.

A facelift can produce dramatic results

 

A mini facelift focuses on the cheeks and jowls. It does not address the neck. It’s also called a weekend facelift, S-lift, or limited incision facelift. The procedure takes about 2 hours to complete. 

A neck lift is done to reduce loose skin in the neck. It usually takes 1-3 hours to perform. 

A mid facelift costs roughly $8,000. During this procedure, the surgeon cuts deeper into the face and pulls up the tissues of the cheeks and around the nose, anchoring them to anatomical structures below the eye sockets. The advantage of adding this type of facelift to a standard facelift is that it gives a more natural appearance. However, it does come with a risk of additional potential complications and adds to the costs of the surgery.

Is It Worth Getting a Facelift or Other Plastic Surgery Procedures?

Now, the next question on your mind is probably this: Is the cost of a face lift worth it? Studies suggest it is. In one study, 122 face lift patients (average age 57 years) were interviewed seven months after a facelift performed to improve the signs of aging.

Most of the people in the study had surgery on the eyelids and/or a forehead lift in addition to the facelift. This is important because when you get aesthetic procedures, you want to be sure you are fully addressing all the problems in your face. Failure to do this can lead to lopsided results where the top half of your face doesn’t match the bottom half. 

The researchers found that 97% of the patients were satisfied with the results of their facelift. In fact, 40% of the patients said their results were much better than expected. When asked how much younger they felt, the average was 12 years younger.

What's more, the patients reported an average pain rating of 5 on a scale of 1 to 10, with the pain only lasting for about 10 days. More than 80% of the patients said their self-esteem was better. Also, 70% reported an improved quality of life.

What Affects Face Lift Price?

You may be surprised by how pricey a facelift can be. Well, you want to be sure you've got someone who is extremely qualified. This person IS working on your face after all! Board-certified plastic surgeons who perform cosmetic facelifts and facial reconstructive surgery undergo years and years of training. This ensures they can perform the procedure safely, ensure good results, and deal with any complications that may arise.  

The skills and experience levels of plastic surgeons play a big role in determining the cost of a facelift. Many surgeons will fit the bill in terms of being able to perform facelift procedures, but not every surgeon is ideal for you. Surgeons can be differentiated into ones that fit your needs, ones that are ideal for you, and ones that aren’t right, no matter what. It can be confusing because many surgeons who are American Society of Plastic Surgeons members or members of organizations in their respective countries have perfected their surgical skills over the years. Many even specialize in different types of facial plastic surgery.

 

 

To choose the ideal plastic surgeon, here are a couple of screening questions you can ask when you go in for your initial consultation:

1. How many facelifts have you performed? Can I see before and after photos? 

The higher the number of facelifts a surgeon has performed, the higher the odds you will get great results. It's important to look at before and after photos because they tell you about the surgeon’s aesthetic sense and whether it matches yours. As far as the facelift cost is concerned, not surprisingly, you can expect a higher price tag to get a facelift from a surgeon who has performed 500 facelifts versus someone who has only done 50. 

2. What is your educational background? Do you upgrade your knowledge?

Surgeons who upgrade their knowledge by attending continuing education seminars are in high demand. The more a surgeon knows about the latest surgical techniques and the more experience they have, the better your results are likely to be.

A facelift can take years off your face

 

Additional Factors That Determine the Price of a Lifting Procedure

Besides the training and experience of a plastic surgeon, there are other factors that determine standard face lift costs. 

1. Location

The average cost of a facelift ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 in Los Angeles, California. In Utah, the cost is considerably lower, around $8,000 to $11,000.  

Facelift prices also vary greatly from country to country. Here are some ballpark figures.

Country Cost of Facelift

Lithuania $3,250+

Colombia $4,000+

Mexico $4,900+

Finland $5,200+

Thailand $6,000 (face and neck lift), $3,500 (forehead), $900 (upper or lower eye lift)

Malaysia $6,000-$7,000

Canada $6,000-$12,000

Denmark $7,500+

United Kingdom $8,000+

Germany $8,500+

Norway $8,500+

 

 

2. Other Aesthetic Treatments

When you add a neck lift or eyelid surgery to your facelift, it adds to the cost. A treatment in another part of the body may also be combined with a facelift. Essentially, anything you add to a standard procedure comes at an additional cost.

3. Complexity

The more sagging skin you have that needs to be tightened or removed, the higher the cost of the face lift surgical procedure.  Of course it's not just all about skin; a deep plane facelift is an effective technique that repositions deep muscular layers and also costs more. More complex techniques usually translate to higher cost. Revision or secondary facelift surgery usually also costs more because the procedure takes longer due to the presence of scar tissue.

4. Anesthesia

A surgical procedure done under general anesthesia costs more than a facial plastic surgery procedure performed with local anesthesia.

Summary

Various things cause your face to look older with time - heredity, skin type, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices are just a few of them. Some people are luckier than others and look younger than their years, but ultimately, aging is inevitable. But you don't have to live with the aging effects you accumulate over time. A facelift is a possible solution. And when done by an experienced surgeon, the facelift cost will be well worth it. 

Due diligence requires that you check the profile of the surgeon or clinic that offers what you want. Then, have a chat with them and ask them as many questions as you wish. You must feel comfortable and confident with the surgeon who may perform your procedure. Ask the surgeon's opinion based on your face and age. This can even be done remotely by submitting photos beforehand.

Carefully select one or two surgeons for an initial consultation. Ask about the different treatments and what they recommend for the signs of aging in your face. Get quotes for a rhytidectomy, mini facelift, and standard facelift surgeries. The MeTime app makes this process incredibly easy.

Whatever you do, do not try to bargain with physicians about their costs. Medical services are not akin to items in a garage sale! Plastic surgery is one thing that should never be bargained. Your focus should be on getting the best treatment from the most qualified surgeon.

 

References

Facelift makes you look 12 years younger. New study helps set expectations for recovery and results after facelift surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons website, Feb. 1, 2011. 

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/facelift-makes-you-look-12-years-younger

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