Facelift / Neck Lift
Aging, sun damage, gravity and genetics can all play a role in giving your face an aged appearance. Deep creases can form between the nose and mouth, the jawline can become slack and jowly and fat deposits and folds can appear around the neck. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, and neck lift can lift and reposition lax skin while removing any excess and tightening underlying muscles to give you a more rejuvenated look.
At The Natural Result / Center for Aesthetic Artistry, we’ve been helping men and women in Sacramento, Folsom and beyond turn back the clock by addressing advanced signs of aging. Our board-certified plastic surgeons have performed almost 1,000 facelift and neck lift procedures combined since opening the practice. Their personalized approach and expertise are what make them some of the most sought-after plastic surgeons in the Sacramento area.
*ACTUAL PATIENT
Why Choose Us
- Our patients come first at The Natural Result / Center for Aesthetic Artistry, and we’ve developed many long-term relationships with men and women who continue to visit us for their cosmetic procedures.
- While every cosmetic surgery requires a skilled touch, experience is critical for ensuring the best possible facelift and neck lift results. Our plastic surgeons perform many facelift surgeries every year.
- The Natural Result / Center for Aesthetic Artistry has a reputation throughout the Sacramento area as a trusted practice that consistently delivers excellent results. Most of our office staff have been with us for many years, and we’ve been working with the same anesthesiologists since 2006.
- Our doctors are well-versed in both surgical and nonsurgical procedures to deliver a more comprehensive approach toward facial rejuvenation. We will work closely with you to develop a customized approach that addresses your individual needs and preferences.
Best Candidates for Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery
Men and women with more advanced signs of facial aging may benefit from facelift surgery. Although it cannot stop the aging process, a facelift tightens underlying muscles and eliminates excess facial fat and skin from the face and neck, offering a more youthful appearance. Men and women may also pursue a facelift following massive weight loss.
Ideal candidates for facelift and neck lift surgery:
- Are in good physical and mental health.
- Do not smoke or vape or are willing to quit for several weeks before and after surgery.
- Have good skin elasticity.
- Have realistic expectations for their surgery and results.
Request Your Consult
Your Consultation
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will carefully listen to and discuss your cosmetic goals to determine the procedures that will best meet them. Your surgeon will evaluate your facial anatomy, skin quality and overall health to determine whether a facelift, neck lift or combination of both is the most appropriate approach. You’ll also be given more detailed information about what to expect from your surgery, including detailed pre- and post-op instructions.
This is also your opportunity to ask questions, express any concerns you might have and review before and after photos with your surgeon to ensure your expectations are realistic. Your plastic surgeon will then work with you to create a customized treatment plan based on your needs, preferences and desired outcome.
Personalizing Your Facelift and Neck Lift
Facelift and neck lift surgery are not one-size-fits-all procedures. There are several different techniques and surgical options that your surgeon will discuss with you to help you customize your procedure based on your unique goals and anatomy.
The three main types of facelifts include:
- A mini facelift is a less invasive option than a full facelift and typically requires shorter incisions and a faster recovery. However, a mini facelift is somewhat limited and primarily targets mild to moderate sagging in the lower face and jawline.
- A full, or traditional facelift is what typically comes to mind when most patients say they want a facelift. It addresses wrinkles, creases and sagging skin the mid-face, lower face and jawline and offers more comprehensive and dramatic results than a mini facelift.
- An extended facelift is a technique that includes all the benefits of a traditional facelift that then extends into the neck area, providing benefits similar to a combination facelift and neck lift.
Complementary Procedures
Many people choose to combine a facelift and/or neck lift with other facial plastic surgeries or even nonsurgical treatments to achieve their desired look. While a facelift can very successfully address the lower and mid-face areas, it does not address areas around the eyes and forehead. If you are concerned with signs of aging on the upper part of the face, you may want to consider combining your facelift with a brow lift or eyelid lift.
Your results may be further enhanced with the help of nonsurgical medical spa treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport® or dermal fillers to address upper facial wrinkles and creasing.
How Is Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery Performed?
A facelift typically takes 2 to 4 hours to perform on its own, and may take up to 5 or 6 hours if it is combined with a neck lift or other procedures such as eyelid surgery. The surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make discreet incisions that will be hidden along the hairline, around the ears and, in some cases, under the chin in order to tighten, reposition and remove excess skin and fatty tissue. If a neck lift is being performed at the same time, your surgeon may tighten the platysma muscle in the neck and will address excess skin and fat under the chin to create a more defined jawline and neckline.
Once the procedure is complete, you will be taken to a recovery room as you wake up from anesthesia. Most patients are able to return home the same day. You will need someone to drive you home from your procedure and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
Risks and Complications
Like any surgical procedure, a facelift and neck lift come with potential risks and complications. These may include bleeding, infection, scarring, numbness, asymmetry or reactions to anesthesia. In rare cases, more serious issues such as hematoma or nerve injury can occur. Your plastic surgeon will discuss these in detail with you during your consultation, along with your individual risk factors and the precautions taken to help ensure a safe and successful outcome.
Facelift and Neck Lift Recovery & Results
After your facelift and neck lift, it’s normal to experience some swelling, bruising and temporary numbness. These are expected parts of the healing process and are usually well-managed with prescribed pain medication, cold compresses and plenty of rest. Keep your head elevated as much as possible, especially during the first few days, to help reduce swelling and accelerate the healing process.
Most of our Sacramento patients are able to return to non-strenuous work and social activities after about 2 to 3 weeks, although this varies depending on the extent of your procedure and how quickly your body heals. You should start to notice early improvements to your facial contours as swelling subsides, but your final results will gradually take shape over several months, revealing a refreshed and more youthful version of yourself.
Our patients frequently report a smoother jawline, firmer skin, a slimmer neck and softer facial creases without looking “overdone.” Results can last for 10 years or more, especially when paired with healthy lifestyle habits and sun protection. While a facelift can’t stop the natural aging process, it can set the clock back significantly, helping you look as vibrant as you feel.
Facelift and Neck Lift FAQs
How much does a facelift cost in Sacramento?
The exact cost of a facelift with or without a neck lift in Sacramento, CA will depend on the specifics of your procedure. Thus, we will be able to give you a more accurate facelift cost estimate at the time of your consultation. Please ask us about financing options if you are interested in learning more.
Does insurance cover a facelift or neck lift?
Most health insurance plans do not cover the cost of a facelift or neck lift, as these procedures are generally considered to be elective.
What’s the best age to get a facelift and neck lift?
There is no single “best” age to get a facelift or neck lift. However, patients with good skin elasticity – typically in their 40s, 50s and 60s – tend to see the best results.
Will people be able to tell I’ve had a facelift?
Our surgeons are dedicated to providing natural-looking results that will not look “overdone.” The best facelifts are those that look invisible. You will still look like yourself, just more refreshed and revitalized.
Are there nonsurgical facelift and neck lift options?
Injectable treatments like BOTOX, Dysport or dermal fillers can smooth lines and wrinkles to an extent. However, they are unable to achieve the same level of results as a surgical procedure such as a facelift or neck lift.
Meet Our Doctors
Our surgeons are dedicated to creating beautiful, natural results so you can look and feel your very best.
Facelift and Neck Lift in Sacramento, CA for Refreshed, Natural Results
The face and neck are areas that can most easily show the signs of aging. You may look more tired than you feel, as loose skin, deep folds and loss of definition negatively impact your appearance. A facelift and neck lift provides patients in Sacramento and Folsom, California with a subtle method for turning back the clock while maintaining their natural expressions and features.
Addressing Changes Beyond the Surface
Facial aging is about much more than wrinkles. With age, skin becomes less elastic, fat displaces and supporting tissues relax. A facelift is aimed at lifting and repositioning these deeper structures, while a neck lift addresses the contours below the chin and along the jaw line. When done in conjunction you get better smooth transitions, and relaxed look.
What a Facelift and Neck Lift Can Improve
These procedures are designed to enhance multiple areas at once, including:
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deep lines around the mouth and jaw
- Loss of jawline definition
- Loose skin or fullness in the neck
Rather than changing facial features, the goal is to restore structure and softness in a way that looks natural at every angle.
A Customized Surgical Strategy
There is no one-size-fits-all way to correct facial aging. Your surgeon will assess your facial structure, skin condition, and unique aging characteristics during your consultation. The surgical methods used depend on which will give the most natural balance and if you need to have a full facelift, limited or other combined procedures for harmony.
Recovery and Healing Timeline
Facelifts and neck lift are most commonly outpatient surgeries. Initial swelling and bruising should largely resolve in the first few weeks. As healing continues, most patients will be able to resume all of their usual activities with improvement that gradually appears.
Recovery generally includes:
- Short-term activity adjustments
- Head elevation and rest
- Follow-up visits to monitor healing
- Gradual return to social activities
Expertise and Safety Matter
Facial surgery is all about precision, experience, and artistry. Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon means you’re choosing a physician who seeks the highest standard of professionalism, hygiene and practice in either procedure or technique, or care from start to finish.
Is a Facelift or Neck Lift Right for You?
If facial or neck aging is causing you to lose confidence, a facelift and neck lift may be worth considering. During a professional consultation, you can learn more about recovery and get an idea of what to expect after your surgery, as well as how the procedure fits with your vision for natural results that stand the test of time.
