What a Face Lift Really Does
More Than a “Pull”—It’s a Restoration of Youth
A modern face lift isn’t just about stretching skin. It addresses the deeper support layers to:
- Lift sagging cheeks
- Define the jawline
- Smooth deep facial folds
- Restore the natural structure of your face
The result? Natural-looking, not “overdone.”
Neck Lift: Redefine Your Neckline
Say Goodbye to Loose Skin and Neck Bands
A neck lift targets the subtle but impactful changes aging brings:
Why Many Patients Choose Both Together
Addressing only the face or only the neck can leave an uneven appearance.
A combined face and neck lift creates harmony, smooth transitions, balanced contours, and a youthful look from every angle.
Are You a Good Candidate?
- Sagging cheeks or a soft jawline
- Deep wrinkles or facial folds
- Loose skin under the chin
- Neck fullness or vertical bands
- A desire for natural, long-lasting rejuvenation
The difference in procedures is the extent of scarring. Flaps are used during a simple lift procedure. Fat transfer is used for patients who desire a more fullness over their buttock area. During the fat transfer procedure, the removed fat is placed deeply within the muscle and in many different layers to create a smooth surface without irregularities. It is common for surgeons to perform liposuction as well to enhance the shape of the buttocks.
Fat grafting has changed buttock enhancement to be a simpler procedure, performed within 1.5 hours, with minimal pain, discomfort, and recovery time. Candidates for this surgery are usually 18 years or older and in good physical health.
BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT PRE-OPERATION
If you are a smoker, your surgeon will strongly urge you to quit at least six weeks before your surgery as smoking can interfere with the healing process and the viability of the fat grafts. Also, medications that can increase the risk of bleeding should be stopped. As this surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, it’s important to arrange for transportation.
Recovery timeline
After Surgery | What Happens |
First week | Swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness are common; rest is important |
2–3 weeks | Bruising reduces; many patients return to work |
1 month | Skin feels smoother; swelling continues to fade |
2–3 months | Results look more natural; scars begin to lighten |
6 months+ | Final results show; skin looks firm and refreshed |
Care tip: Follow your surgeon’s advice, avoid heavy work early on, and use sunscreen to protect healing skin.
have a question?
Common Questions
Will it hurt?
Some discomfort is normal, but it can be controlled with medicines given by the doctor.
Will there be scars?
Yes, but they are placed in natural skin folds or near the hairline, so they are not easily visible.
How long will the results last?
The results usually last 8–10 years, though the skin will continue to age naturally.
Can I do both together?
Yes, many patients choose to combine face and neck lifts for a complete result.
FACELIFT PRE-OPERATIVE
With any procedure, there is always a concern for complications. While you should definitely consider the risks, know that complications from facelifts are rare. The potential risks may include:
- Infections
- Hematoma
- Reactions to anesthesia
The good news is, you can reduce your risks by taking the advice of Dr. Patel and following the instructions you’re given before and after your surgery.
Before surgery, you will need to avoid smoking and medications that may increase the risk of bleeding. Also, because facelifts are performed as an outpatient procedure, you’ll need to arrange for transportation.
DAY-OF FACELIFT SURGERY
Your procedure will be performed in our office-based surgical site. During your preoperative visit with Dr. Patel, you will determine the anesthesia that is best for you. This will be administered before the procedure takes place. For safety purposes, you will be connected to different machines that will track vitals to ensure your surgery goes smoothly.
Once your procedure is complete, you will be moved to a recovery area. Your face will be bandaged and small tubes will be helping to remove any excess fluid. Usually, you will be allowed to go home only hours after your surgery has been completed. You will be sent home with instructions on care and a prescription for medication to alleviate any initial pain from the procedure you may experience.
FACELIFT RECOVERY
Recovery time will vary from person to person. To help with healing, you will be asked to keep your head elevated as much as possible. Also, you will be told to avoid Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications as well as smoking because this may delay the healing process.
Be aware that once your bandages and drains are removed, you may notice bruising, discoloration, and even some unevenness. This is normal and will resolve the coming weeks following your procedure. Usually, swelling will alleviate within 24-48 hours while bruising may take up to two weeks. Occasionally, you will notice numbness at the surgical site, this should resolve itself within several months. Within a week of surgery, you will have your stitches removed.
If you are feeling concerned about how long the healing process may take, you may want to look into a MACS facelift. This modern procedure usually allows patients back in public within three weeks with possibly only minor bruising.
YOUR FACELIFT RESULTS
Before your procedure, you and Dr. Patel would have discussed your goals for your surgery so your facelift may result in subtle or dramatic changes. Remember, always give yourself time to recover after any plastic surgery; it may take several weeks to see the full effect of your facelift.
Dr. Dhaval Patel is an accomplished Double Board Certified Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, who is skillful enough to restore your youthfulness which has been lost with the effects of aging & gravity. He is the man behind the famous Chicago Institute of Plastic Surgery.
