Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery
973 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 244-1000
Fax: (585) 271-4786
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Facelift
In today’s world, you can choose how you want to age, and you have many options when it comes to maturing gracefully and beautifully. Without a doubt, the gold-standard for firming, lifting, and smoothing the lower face and neck is facelift surgery. If you feel your face could more closely reflect your inner vibrance, the double board-certified facial plastic surgeons at the Quatela Center specialize in creating remarkable, yet natural-looking results from facelift surgery.
| Anesthesia: | Typically twilight sleep with local anesthetic |
| Recovery: | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Ready to go out: | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Resume exercise: | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Final results: | 6 months to 1 year |
Benefits of Facelift Surgery
Facelift surgery is the gold standard for facial rejuvenation because of its profound and long-lasting outcomes. You can expect to look more youthful, vibrant, and refreshed without sacrificing the unique character of your face. Benefits of a facelift at the Quatela Center include:
- Tightening and smoothing loose, sagging skin
- Defining the neck
- Contouring the jawline
- Diminishing jowls
- Elevating the lower third of the face and neck
In addition to loving their results, our patients report feeling more self-assured in professional and social settings after facelift surgery.
Is a Facelift Right for You?
The best facelift candidates are women and men who:
- Want to correct signs of aging in the lower third of the face including including sagging/excess skin, lines and wrinkles, and jowls
- Are in good physical and emotional health
- Have realistic expectations about the possibilities and limitations of facial plastic surgery
The first step in deciding if you are a good candidate for a facelift is to meet with one of our surgeons for a private, personal consultation.
Want to learn more about facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgeries? Download our free eBook, Your Guide to Facial Rejuvenation Surgery, for a comprehensive overview of the most common face procedures. Topics in our eGuide include facelift, mid facelift, mini facelift, and brow lift surgeries, as well as risks and complications and a handy surgery prep list.
Submit the form below to receive a link to our free eGuide.
Choosing the Right Facial Plastic Surgeon
The Quatela Center in Rochester is the preferred practice for facelift patients from cities throughout Upstate New York, including Syracuse and Buffalo. Patients also travel from throughout the US and around the world for our natural-looking facelift results.
Dr. Vito Quatela
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Quatela is considered a pioneer of modern facial plastic surgery, and an internationally recognized expert in facial rejuvenation. He pioneered the deep plane facelift and has more experience with this procedure than most plastic surgeons in the country, having performed thousands in his 30-year career thus far. He has served as president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is currently the president of the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies. You can expect compassion and dedication to personalized care from Dr. Quatela.
Dr. Heather Lee
Double Board-Certified Female Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Lee underwent rigorous fellowship training with Dr. Quatela in facial plastic surgery, and excels at all facelift techniques, including the deep plane facelift. She prioritizes patient education and spends time helping you understand both the physical and emotional impact you can expect from your facelift. Through advanced surgical techniques, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine, caring personality, Dr. Lee puts you at ease and delivers satisfying, life-changing results. She is dedicated to helping you through this entire journey—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Dr. Alex Montague
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Montague completed a prestigious fellowship under Dr. Quatela here at the Quatela Center. He has published articles on facelift techniques and performs deep plane facelifts almost exclusively, with the latest techniques of deep neck lifting in combination with facelift work. As a part of the next generation of facial plastic surgery specialists, he brings a fresh, leading-edge perspective to facelift surgery. Dr. Montague believes nearly any patient who has experienced aging and gravitational descent in the face and neck can benefit from this surgery in some way. He takes whatever time is needed to understand your concerns and educate you about your options.
Facelift Techniques
Deep Plane Facelift
The Quatela Center’s double board-certified facial plastic surgeons specialize in this sophisticated, preferred technique. Because it tightens and elevates the facial structures together, instead of lifting the muscle and skin separately, it creates extremely natural-looking results that are never tight or pulled-looking. The deep plane facelift also minimizes tension on the skin for longer-lasting results. With this approach, our patients experience truly life-changing outcomes.
Like a traditional facelift, a deep plane facelift with Dr. Quatela, Dr. Lee, or Dr. Montague addresses signs of aging in the lower third of the face, including the neck. It also reduces jowls and softens laugh lines around the mouth through traditional facelift incision patterns.
Facelift
Also called a traditional facelift, this procedure addresses signs of aging in the lower third of the face, including the neck. It also reduces jowls and softens laugh lines around the mouth.
Our surgeons place incisions along the ear contour as close to the ear as possible, behind the ear, in the hairline, and possibly under the chin.
In addition to the skin, they adjust the structural support layer of the face. Tightening this foundational tissue—called the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS)—gives a smoother, more uplifted appearance.
Mini Facelift
Also called a short scar or weekend facelift, the mini facelift targets isolated problem areas for individuals with slight to moderate signs of aging. Good candidates want a subtle change and refreshed look, which our surgeons achieve by removing age-related excess skin.
Mid Facelift
This technique addresses hollows under the eyes and deep smile lines. It is usually supplemented with a brow lift to smooth the forehead and elevate the brows to open up the eye area.
Sub-SMAS Facelift
This technique tightens and elevates the skin and SMAS layer separately.
Q Liquid Facelift
This nonsurgical alternative is performed with dermal filler and BOTOX® Cosmetic injections to soften forehead lines, replace lost volume, and smooth nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
Your Facelift Procedure
Our surgeons perform facelift surgery at the Lindsay House Surgery Center, our private, onsite, accredited surgery center. They perform all facelifts as outpatient procedures, so you will return home the same day. If you prefer a medically supervised setting, you can choose to stay in our Carriage House for your first post-operative night.
We use twilight sleep with local anesthetic to keep you safe and comfortable during your facelift procedure. The surgery itself lasts several hours, after which you will be cared for in our recovery area. Your face will be wrapped in bandages and a supportive compression garment.
We will monitor you in our comfortable recovery area until you’re awake and alert and your surgeon has checked on you. Once he or she gives their permission, you will be discharged and a friend or loved one can drive you home.
Facelift Recovery
While experiences vary, most facelift patients recover along the following general timeline:
Day of surgery:
Return home in the care of an adult with your face wrapped in bandages.
Day after surgery:
Minimize swelling and discomfort by keeping your head elevated and applying ice packs intermittently. Take prescription or over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Bandages and drains are removed at a post-op checkup.
1 to 2 weeks:
Ready to return to nonstrenuous jobs and activities. Swelling and bruising gradually subside.
3 weeks:
Resume your normal exercise routine gradually with approval from your surgeon.
2 months:
All swelling resolved and ready for big events like weddings, class reunions, etc.
6 to 12 months:
Healing is complete and final results are established.
For proper healing and to achieve optimal results, closely follow our pre and post-operative instructions.
Tips for a Better Facelift Recovery
For at least the first 3 weeks after surgery, be sure to:
- Refrain from bending over, lifting heavy items, and exercising vigorously.
- Stay away from alcohol and beverages high in caffeine.
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
- Sleep propped up with pillows or on your back, but not on your stomach or in any way that puts pressure on your face.
- Do not smoke, as it interferes with the healing process.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Rochester, NY?
The cost of a facelift in our area varies, depending on the specifics of your procedure. After your consultation with one of our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons, you will receive an all-inclusive price quote that covers pre- and post-operative appointments, surgeon’s fees, surgery center fees, and anesthesia costs. For more information, see our page on Plastic Surgery Costs.
Complementary Procedures
Because the aging process typically affects more than the lower face, our surgeons often combine facelift surgery with one or more of the following procedures:
Neck lift
Tightens lax, crepey skin and repairs prominent vertical bands.
Brow lift
Elevates heavy brows and smooths forehead creases.
Eyelid surgery
Addresses lax upper eyelid skin, puffy under-eye bags, and pockets of fat around the eyes.
Fat transfer
Restores lost facial volume with your own purified fat.
Cheek and chin implants
Add definition to the face and enhance proportions.
Skin resurfacing
Improves the texture and appearance of the skin by correcting lines, wrinkles, and other signs of sun damage.
Your consultation is a good time to discuss possible complementary procedures with your surgeon. If you are ready to meet with one of our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons, Request a consultation online, or call us at (585) 244-1000 to schedule your appointment.
Facelift FAQ
What’s the best age for a facelift?
People age differently, so there is no specific “best” age for a facelift. When nonsurgical treatments cannot provide your desired improvements, it’s time to consider a facelift. The general age range of our facelift patients is between 45 and 70 years old.
When are the sutures removed after a facelift?
Facelifts involve a number of sutures. While individual experiences vary, we typically remove the sutures that are in front of the ears between day 4 to 5 after surgery and the sutures behind the ear and some staples on day 7. By day 10, any remaining sutures or staples are removed.
Will there be visible scars after a facelift?
Our surgeons take care to place the incisions in the hairline and natural creases of the face where the resulting scars become thin, faint and are not readily noticeable to others.
How long will I have visible bruising and swelling after surgery?
Visible bruising and swelling diminish significantly over the first 1 to 2 weeks. Most patients report they feel comfortable being seen in public with makeup about 2 weeks after facelift surgery.
Will I look natural after facelift surgery? I still want to look like myself and not appear pulled.
As one of the most popular procedures at our practice, our surgeons have extensive experience perfecting the art of facelift surgery. Their artistic talent and practiced eye enable them to provide consistent and natural results.
How long do the results of a facelift last?
Facelift surgery “resets the clock” on aging, providing a lifelong improvement, but the natural aging process continues. Not smoking, using sun protection, eating a healthy diet, and staying fit can all help prolong your facelift results.
As a destination practice offering world-class care, the Quatela Center attracts patients from around the globe. Our virtual consultations and support program take the effort out of travelling for surgery.