Facelift & Neck Lift
Our genetics and lifestyles cause each of us to age differently. Furthermore, each person has different goals about how they want to look as they age. For that reason, some people choose facial rejuvenation surgery as early as their late 30s or as late as their 70s, such as facelift and/or neck lift surgery.
If you're considering a neck lift or facelift, choose board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Sean Bidic and Dr. Vinay S. Gundlapalli, who have the experience and proven track records that exceed expectations. Request your consultation online, or call 888-309-8892 to schedule your appointment at American Surgical Arts in Mullica Hill, New Jersey.
What Are the Benefits of a Facelift Procedure?
Facelift surgery results in a general firming of the soft tissues of the mid-face and lower face, while a neck lift tightens the tissues of the jawline and area beneath the chin. These procedures – often performed in a single surgery – improve facial volume, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and restore definition to the chin and neck.
Your Facelift Consultation
One Patient's Facelift Experience
Because no two people age in exactly the same way, Dr. Bidic and Dr. Gundlapalli approach each face and neck lift consultation as a unique case. They spend a great deal of time assessing your face and neck, answering all of your questions, and discussing the changes you'd like to make.
The surgeon can use the VECTRA® 3D imaging system to create a computer simulation of how you might look after surgery. Using this input, they will customize the treatment plan to address your concerns and give you a result that looks like a younger, naturally refreshed version of you.
Your Facelift & Neck Lift Procedure
Dr. Bidic and Dr. Gundlapalli often perform a facelift and neck lift together to create a more complete rejuvenation.
For the facelift, an incision is usually made on each side of the face, beginning near the hairline at the temple, curving in front of the ear, and continuing behind it. In a mini facelift, these incisions are shorter and limited to the area around the ear.
When a neck lift is included, a small incision may also be made beneath the chin along a natural crease. Through these openings, the surgeons tighten the underlying muscles, reposition excess fat in the cheeks and jowls, and smooth the contours of the neck. They may also use liposuction to reduce fat under the chin or along the jawline.
Finally, the skin is gently redraped over the refined facial structure, and any loose tissue is adjusted. This careful approach addresses both the deeper layers and the surface.
Rejuvenating Combinations
Many women and men combine their facelift and neck lift procedures with other facial rejuvenation procedures to address multiple signs of aging in a single surgery. The plastic surgeon can often perform one or more of the following procedures with a facelift and neck lift:
- Eyelid surgery reduces lax eyelid skin and puffy under-eye bags to help you look more refreshed.
- Brow lift surgery elevates heavy brows and reduces horizontal forehead lines.
- Fat transfer restores volume around the eyes and on the cheeks.
- Non-surgical skin care reduces lax eyelid skin and puffy under-eye bags to help you look more refreshed.
These procedures can be used to complement or prolong the results of facial surgery.
How Much Does a Facelift Procedure Cost?
The cost of a facelift in South Jersey varies from patient to patient and depends on several factors. You will be provided with a specific estimate when you come in for a consultation.
Because a facelift and neck lift are elective procedures, they are not covered by health insurance plans. However, our practice has financing available, so you can pay for surgery in monthly installments.
The price of a facelift is something each patient should consider, but it shouldn't be the most important factor in determining the choice of a surgeon. This is a major surgical procedure, and your surgeon should be experienced and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
What Should I Expect After Surgery?
You will spend one night in the hospital or surgery center to reduce complications and keep you comfortable. Before you go home, your drains and dressings will be removed, and only a small piece of tape on your neck will remain in place for about a week.
At home, you should sleep propped up on a few pillows and avoid sun exposure during your first week. Some bruising is normal and usually fades within a week. Your sutures will be removed at your first follow-up appointment, and you can begin wearing makeup again after that visit.
Most people can return to exercise after three weeks, but healing times vary. If you have a major event, such as a wedding or reunion, plan for at least three months of healing before you’re ready for the spotlight.
See the Possibilities With Advanced 3D Imaging
We use VECTRA to help evaluate your needs and better assess the expectations that are possible with surgery. You and the plastic surgeon will be able to review the 3D outcomes for the same procedure you seek.
Why Choose American Surgical Arts?
Place your care in the hands of two highly respected, board-certified plastic surgeons.
Dr. Sean Bidic is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and in hand surgery, a distinction that reflects the depth of his surgical training and precision. He is also a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and has built his reputation on combining technical skill with a genuine commitment to patient relationships and individualized care.
Dr. Vinay S. Gundlapalli is an internationally trained surgeon with more than a decade of advanced surgical experience. He is double board-certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery and holds the title of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). His expertise spans a wide range of procedures, from facial rejuvenation and body contouring to complex reconstructive surgery. In addition, he is active in professional organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Aesthetic Society, and the New Jersey Plastic Surgery Society, and he performs surgeries at several area hospitals, including Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill.
At American Surgical Arts, the mission is to deliver advanced plastic and reconstructive care. The team combines experience, continuous learning, and genuine support to create the best experience for each patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Facelift?
The facelift procedure is generally ideal for adults who are concerned about:
- Sagging jowls
- Moderate to severe creases around the nose and mouth
- Marionette lines
- Flat or sunken cheeks
- Poor jawline definition
- Double chin
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so it is important that we confirm you can safely receive deep sedation. We may determine this via a comprehensive consultation and medical history, review of current medications and supplements, and various diagnostic tests.
How Do I Prepare for a Facelift?
Before a facelift, patients may be advised to make certain adjustments based on their lifestyle or health.
- Stop smoking and using nicotine products: Nicotine restricts blood flow and can interfere with healing. Patients should quit several weeks before and after surgery to reduce complications and support recovery.
- Plan clothing options for recovery: After a facelift, it is ideal to have shirts that button or zip up the front. Pulling shirts over the head may accidentally bump incisions or areas of tenderness.
- Plan for help: You must have someone drive you to the surgery center and return you home after the procedure. It is beneficial to have someone present at all times for 24 to 48 hours after surgery to help with medication, meals, and getting around the house safely.
- Fill prescriptions ahead of time: Obtain all necessary supplies outlined in post-operative instructions.
- Prepare meals ahead of time: This eliminates any stress that may arise around deciding what to eat during recovery and how to get or make dishes. Pre-made meals that are refrigerated or frozen bypass the need to plan and cook on a daily basis.
- Hydrate: In the weeks leading up to surgery, you should consume about half your body weight in water every day. More than half of your body's volume is water, indicating that physiological functions require adequate hydration. A well-hydrated body may heal more optimally than one that is dehydrated.
Will I Have Scars After My Facelift?
Scarring is an inevitable effect of cutting the skin. That said, facelift procedures involve incisions that are made in the natural crease at the front of the ear.
In a comprehensive facelift, the incisions also run up and around the back of the ear, behind the hairline. In a mini facelift, the surgeon makes shorter incisions along this same area.
During the initial recovery period, you will see marked lines where incisions were made. Stitches are also visible but will dissolve or be removed at the post-op visit. As noticeable as incisions are right after surgery, they are much less so at the ten-day mark. Over time, the skin heals well enough for the facelift scars to fade almost completely.
How Painful Is a Facelift?
When you wake up after surgery, you may feel groggy or disoriented as the anesthesia wears off. Some nausea, tingling, or numbness is also normal during this stage.
As the anesthesia clears, you will likely notice soreness and tenderness. Take your prescribed pain medication exactly as directed. There is no advantage to trying to push through discomfort. Staying ahead of pain will help you heal more smoothly, while skipping medication can make recovery more difficult.
During the first two or three days, expect to spend most of your time resting, sleeping, and managing discomfort. After about three to four days, you should start to feel more comfortable, and most people find that surgical soreness has resolved within two weeks.
How Much Younger Will I Look After a Facelift?
Based on a clinical survey, 97 percent of patients who underwent facelift surgery have reported that they feel they look about 12 years younger. Ninety-five percent report feeling satisfied with their results and happy with their decision to have a facelift. Also, more than 85 percent of patients report feeling a boost in self-esteem as a result of their facial rejuvenation.
So not only does a facelift beautifully rejuvenate the face, it can also revive your sense of confidence in your appearance!
Will a Neck Lift Alone Give Me the Results I Want?
Although a facelift and neck lift are good complementary treatments, combining the two procedures isn't always necessary.
The neck often shows signs of aging before the rest of the face. Excess fat and skin, along with weakened muscles, can transform your overall appearance even if the rest of your face remains relatively youthful.
A neck lift alone – which may include liposuction to remove fatty tissue, surgical removal of skin, and tightening of the muscles that cause a "turkey wattle" – is an excellent option in that situation. When there is sagging and a hollow appearance in the areas of the cheeks and jawline, a facelift may also be necessary.
How Long Do the Results Last?
The results of a facelift and neck lift, when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, last for years. The goal of facial cosmetic surgery is to have you look like a younger version of yourself, not somebody different.
A facelift turns back the clock, but it doesn't stop it. The aging process continues, and depending on your cosmetic goals, you may want to return for fine-tuning with fillers or other surgical procedures down the line.
What Is a Mini-Facelift?
As its name implies, a mini-facelift is a less invasive surgical procedure that reduces minor sagging around the cheeks, jawline, and neck. It may be appropriate for patients in their late 30s or 40s who are concerned about the earliest signs of aging. It involves a shorter recovery time and smaller scars, but it gets much less dramatic results.
What Happens if I Gain or Lose Weight After a Facelift?
Minor weight changes will not affect your results, but significant fluctuations can. Losing a large amount of weight may make the face appear thinner and highlight hollowness, while gaining weight can add fullness that softens your new contours. For the longest-lasting results, it is best to maintain a stable, healthy weight after surgery.
How Should I Care for My Incisions to Help Scars Heal Discreetly?
Your surgeons place incisions in natural creases and along the hairline to minimize visibility. To encourage discreet healing, follow all aftercare instructions carefully: keep the incision sites clean, avoid sun exposure, use only approved skincare or scar-care products, and avoid smoking or nicotine use. Over time, most scars fade significantly and blend well with the surrounding skin.
Patient Testimonials:
"The staff at American surgical arts were professional, very understanding and patient with me. After my consultation. I knew that he was the doctor that I was going to trust with my procedure. He went over everything and answered every question that I had. The day of my procedure went perfect! The nurses were so kind that I forgot to be nervous. I highly recommend Dr. Bidic and American Surgical Arts." - G.T.
"I was recommended to Dr. Bidic for my procedure. He knew exactly what I needed and he and his staff were very professional. He was on time and proceeded with the surgery carefully. The post op was easy to manage and the pain was minimal. I greatly recommend Dr. Bidic and his staff." - T.B.
"extremely evident that Dr. Bidic hand selected his staff very carefully. He ensures that everyone who visits his practice, receives the same exceptional care that he or she deserves" - B.H.
Call American Surgical Arts for a Facelift in Mullica Hill!
Interested in learning more about facelift and neck lift surgery? Call 888-309-8892 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bidic and Dr. Gundlapalli today! Our practice serves Mullica Hill, NJ & all nearby areas.