Have you ever wondered why some people seem to age faster than others? Genetics, sun damage, and environmental exposures are all factors that cause fine lines, deep wrinkles, and loss of skin tightness as we grow older. Some see these signs earlier than their peers, regardless of how young they feel on the inside. A facelift procedure is a great way to restore a youthful face and neck.

Can you get the results of a facelift without surgery?

Nonsurgical treatments, like Botox and skin tightening lasers, can only do so much to reposition lax facial tissue. These non-invasive technologies work by shrinking tissue but only to a limited extent, which is why a surgical lift is still the gold standard for lifting tissue.

How much younger will a facelift make me look?

A mini lift can can give you the result of looking 5-7 years younger, whereas a full facelift can make you look 7-10 years younger.

What is the best age for a facelift?

This depends on the individual. Facelifts are generally performed on people age 40+. It's best to undergo the procedure when you are in good health but keep in mind that undergoing the procedure earlier will not prevent aging. That said, patients who undergo a facelift will always look younger than if they had not undergone surgery.

How is facelift surgery performed?

Some people are deterred from undergoing a facelift due to the fear that it will result in a windswept appearance. This does not happen when the procedure is done correctly. Any lift that relies on skin tension is doomed to fail because skin stretches. In contrast, the deeper tissue that holds the lift stretches very little over time. Dr. Anand Patel, facial plastic surgeon at Visage Facial Plastic Surgery, approaches facelifts with an advanced "anti-gravity" lifting technique for the most natural looking result.

What are the different types of facelifts?

There are various types of facelifts. The mini facelift and neck lift tighten the neckline and jawline. A full facelift tightens those in addition to the upper cheek and lower neck for a more dramatic result.

Deep Plane Facelift

• Unlike traditional facelift techniques, the deep plane lift moves tissues of the upper cheek, lower face, and neck as one complete unit in an anti-gravity direction for a natural result. Dr. Patel starts by freeing the deeper tissue. Strong sutures are then placed between the loose tissue in the lower cheek and the firm tissue around the ear. This pulls everything up and somewhat backward. He then lifts the tissue and suspends it opposite to the pull of gravity. Any excess skin around the ears is removed. 

• A full facelift takes about 4 hours and must be performed in a surgery center, with an optional overnight stay in the hospital for an additional fee. Having a nurse take care of you allows total rest during the first 24 hours after surgery. Click here to see before & after photos of face and neck lifts performed by Dr. Anand Patel.

Mini Facelift

• A mini facelift is a smaller version of the full facelift. This procedure is ideal for someone who is not quite ready for a full facelift but requires something more than what non-surgical treatments can offer. This procedure is excellent for both men and women as it not feminizing.

• The mini lift is intended for patients who have early jowls and mild facial laxity. It is not intended for patients with heavy jowls, a double chin, or sagging neck bands. This procedure may refine both the jawline and the neckline through similar, but shorter, incisions as the face and neck lift. It also has a quicker recovery time. This procedure may be performed in the office under local anesthesia. Click here to see before & after photos of mini lifts performed by Dr. Anand Patel.

Neck Lift

• The neck lift, or platysmaplasty, is a procedure designed to tighten the neck through an incision just behind the chin. It does not remove excess skin so it works best in patients with neck laxity without jowling and can be coupled with neck liposuction. Neck lifts may be performed in the office under local anesthesia.

Recovering From A Facelift

Aside from providing superior results, the deep plane lift offers the benefit of rapid at-home recovery as short as 10-14 days. Recovery time for the mini facelift, neck lift and neck liposuction is 7 days. Following surgery, patients are sent home wearing a compressive dressing for a few days. For the following 1-2 weeks a chin strap is worn to protect incision sites and allow the neck tissue to heal. Most people feel comfortable being out in public after 2 weeks.

Is surgery & recovery painful?

The first night after surgery, you will likely feel a dull ache around your ears and tightness around the jaw and neck. The discomfort will reduce significantly every day thereafter. It is normal to take opiate medication as needed up to a week after surgery, but most transition to regular Tylenol within the first week. The feeling of tightness will decrease over the course of weeks.

Interested in facelift surgery at Visage Facial Plastic Surgery?

You've come to the right place! Our boutique office specializes in customized plastic surgery treatments for the face and neck. Dr. Anand D. Patel is double board certified with the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and American Board of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery. His concentrated background in the face and neck allows mastery of both the technical and artistic challenges of these areas. Go to our Schedule A Consultation page to book your phone consultation today.

Patient Reviews

"Dr. Patel was an easy choice for my procedure. I had gotten a quote from another Dr. several years earlier and she terrified me not only with the price, but with her description of exactly what she felt was needed to resolve my concern. Dr. Patel and his staff ONLY work on faces, and they know what they are doing. They immediately put me at ease by describing a much simpler procedure that delivered exactly the results I had hoped for without the slightest give away that I had work done. His bedside manner is awesome, and everyone in his office is a joy to talk to. I would recommend Dr. Patel to anyone wanting to improve their appearance and self-confidence."

"I wanted to tighten my jawline and neck because I was extremely unhappy with how old I was looking. I went to a plastic surgeon in the Minneapolis area and he told me I needed a full face lift, brow lift, chin implant, botox, fillers - the whole works. It all added up to $25,000. I didn't think I needed ALL that and left his consultation quite depressed. I decided to get a second opinion and found Dr. Patel. He told me all I needed was a mini face lift and that he results would be fantastic. I said, "What about the brow lift, fillers and chin implant?" He said I didn't need any of it. He said he wouldn't do any work on my face that wasn't needed and he was very concerned that I look natural. I put all my trust in him and I'm now 10 days post surgery and I couldn't be happier. I look and feel fantastic. I know it will only get better in the next few months. Oh, and it only cost $6,000! Dr. Patel is a true artist. I'm glad I did my research and went to a FACIAL double board certified plastic surgeon. No regrets at all. He is the best. His staff is also wonderful. They will answer all questions and take all the time you need to feel comfortable."

"Dr. Anand D. Patel has unmatched facial plastic and reconstructive surgery skills. I had a SMAS mini face lift in December, 2019. Dr. Patel was thorough in his review and assessment of my face and neck. He did not pressure me into doing more than what I was comfortable with. I knew immediately that Dr. Patel’s solution was the best one for me. It was less invasive than the full-face lift and had less down time. I completely understood what kind of results I would get. I felt confident in doing the procedure and had no hesitation that I had picked the best facial plastic surgeon available. I had complete confidence in Dr. Patel. The procedure went well, I experienced little to no pain. My biggest problem was managing my anxiety. I never had surgery before. Dr. Patel and his staff were great about getting back to me and putting me at ease. My results exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend Dr Patel. He is kind, caring, concerned, honest, and down to earth. His nurse Kathy is wonderful and Katlyn his office assistance is lovely."