1. What is the average cost of face lift surgery?

The cost of face lift surgery varies by surgeon and geographic area. The costs in the areas in which I practice, in metropolitan New York City and eastern Pennsylvania, average between $9,000 and $15,000, including the surgical, anesthesia, and facility charges.


2. Do you tighten the drooping muscles?

Yes. One important advance in the technique of face lifting involves tightening the deeper structures of the face, including the fascia covering the muscles, in addition to the skin. This newer technique is based on a better understanding of the changes occurring in the face with aging. With aging, not only does the skin sag, but the underlying fat and muscles of the face can as well. Lifting these structures in a so-called 'SMAS' procedure can produce a better and longer-lasting result.


3. Will a face lift help the dark circles and bags under my eyes?

Face lifts are very commonly combined with eyelid lifts, or blepharoplasties, to address the aging changes around the eyes, such as bags and discoloration.


4. Why is a revision face lift more difficult than a first-time face lift?

Unique considerations go into the planning of the revision face lift. These include preserving the hairline and avoiding hair loss during the surgery and avoiding damaging vital structures, such as nerves, which may have been made more vulnerable by previous surgery. In my practice, this planning should have as a goal a natural result, instead of the unnatural appearance that can result from pulling the skin too tightly.


5. Do I go home after plastic surgery?

The majority of plastic surgery procedures, including face lifts, are performed on an ambulatory basis, with patients returning home after being observed by a nurse after surgery. For many of my patients after face lifting, we will arrange for a private nurse to help for a day or two after surgery at the home or hotel room.


6. When can I 'work out' ?

The decision to return to normal activities and exertion depends on the patient's progress in healing, but many patients can start light exertion two to three weeks after surgery.


7. How long will bruising and swelling last?

Most bruising and swelling will subside in the first one to two weeks after surgery. Small areas of bruising and subtle swelling may persist for weeks or months after surgery as final healing requires six months or more after most surgeries.