Face & Neck Lift Surgery
“The best facelift should never look like a facelift. My goal is not to create a tighter or different face, but to restore youthful definition while preserving the features that make you look like yourself.”
Introduction
A face and neck lift is designed to address the changes that naturally occur as the face ages. These may include skin laxity, jowling, loss of jawline definition, neck banding and deepening folds around the mouth and cheeks.
The goal of surgery is not to create a different face, but to restore a fresher, more rested version of your own. Dr Raymond's approach focuses on achieving natural, balanced results that preserve each patient's individual facial character while restoring youthful definition and contour.
Lower face and necklift
56 years old woman
16 months post Lower face and neck lift
THE PROCEDURE
Face and neck lift surgery is performed under general anaesthetic at Hunter Valley Private Hospital.
Depending on the extent of surgery and whether additional procedures are performed, operating time is typically between three and six hours. Most patients stay in hospital for one night before returning home.
A face and neck lift may improve:
- Skin laxity of the lower face and neck
- Loss of jawline definition
- Jowling
- Neck banding
- Deep folds around the mouth, chin and cheeks
While surgery restores facial shape and definition, it does not improve skin quality such as fine lines, pigmentation or sun damage. Where appropriate, these concerns may be addressed with complementary skin treatments.
THE PROCESS
No two faces age in exactly the same way, and no single facelift technique is appropriate for every patient.
Successful facial rejuvenation requires careful attention to every layer of the face, including the deeper support tissues, facial ligaments, skin and underlying volume. Rather than relying on a single technique, Dr Raymond tailors each operation to the individual, selecting the combination of manoeuvres most likely to achieve a natural and long-lasting result.
Particular attention is paid to the neck, which forms the foundation of a successful face and neck lift. A well-defined jawline is rarely achieved without first restoring a smooth neck contour and a well-defined cervicomental angle. Once this foundation has been established, attention turns to restoring harmony throughout the lower and mid face.
In many patients, this involves a deep plane facelift, allowing the deeper facial tissues to be repositioned rather than simply tightening the skin. However, not every patient requires the same degree of release or tissue repositioning, and the operation is tailored to the individual rather than applying a single technique to every face.
Once the deeper structures have been restored, the skin is carefully redraped to complement the underlying repair. The goal is to remove excess skin while avoiding unnecessary tension on either the facial tissues or the skin closure itself, helping to create a natural appearance and fine scars.
During the early healing period, the skin is temporarily secured to the underlying tissues using specialised fixation techniques. This helps minimise bleeding and swelling, promotes adherence of the skin to the deeper tissues and supports precise contouring of the neck and jawline as healing occurs.
There is rarely one step that creates an exceptional facelift. Instead, the final result comes from the careful combination of many individual details, each contributing to a natural, harmonious and durable outcome.
Face and neck lift surgery is commonly combined with eyelid surgery, brow lift surgery or facial fat transfer where appropriate, allowing multiple aspects of facial ageing to be addressed in a balanced way.
Scars are carefully positioned around the ears and within the hairline to make them as inconspicuous as possible.
Although a facelift can restore a more youthful appearance, it cannot stop the ageing process. The face will continue to age naturally, and some patients choose to undergo further facial surgery many years later.
RECOVERY
Swelling and bruising are expected and vary between individuals.
A supportive facial garment is worn during the early recovery period. LED light therapy is routinely incorporated into the first two weeks after surgery to support wound healing, with sutures removed during this time.
RISKS
All surgery carries risk. Risks specific to face and neck lift surgery include:
- Bleeding or haematoma
- Infection
- Delayed healing or unfavourable scarring
- Temporary or permanent numbness
- Temporary or permanent nerve injury affecting facial movement
- Asymmetry
- Dissatisfaction with the cosmetic outcome
- The need for further surgery
These risks will be discussed in detail during your consultation. Further information is also available on our Treatment Risks page.
PRICING
Face and neck lift surgery is quoted using all-inclusive pricing, incorporating surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and routine post-operative care.
As a guide:
- Neck lift: approximately $28,000–30,000
- Lower face and neck lift: approximately $32,000–35,000
- Full face and neck lift: approximately $35,000–38,000+
Garments and LED light therapy are included as part of your recovery. Additional treatments, including laser resurfacing, may be recommended where appropriate.
A personalised written quotation is provided following consultation.
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