Facelift and Neck Lift Sydney
Cosmetic elective procedure
➔ Not covered by private health insurance or Medicare
➔ Day procedure
➔ Most patients stay overnight
Patients will often have several concerns and questions regarding cosmetic surgery procedures. Facial surgery is not something that should be entered into lightly.
Dr Benjamin Norris, plastic surgeon, provides patients at Form and Face with a wide range of techniques that lift the face and neck areas. He will meet with you personally to determine which procedures are suited to your goals and your facial structure.
A facelift can lift areas of skin laxity, address fat pockets and address the underlying tissues of the face. It can be suitable for those who want to achieve permanent results and are suitable candidates for surgery.
Cosmetic surgery to lift the face
Facial cosmetic surgery may address an individual’s cheekbones and jawline. During your consultation with our Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr Benjamin Norris, you will discuss the specific areas that you would like to address.
Facelifts may address:
- Creases and wrinkles
- Skin laxity
- Underlying tissues
- Excess fat deposits
- Excess fat deposits
Dr Norris aims to achieve results that work with each patient’s personal features. A personal surgery plan will outline the steps that will be taken to achieve personalised results.
Who is a candidate for a facelift?
Candidates who want to address skin laxity on the face may be suitable for a facelift. There are some individual factors that will need to be considered before undergoing your procedure – such as health factors, lifestyle factors and other personal factors, such as your expectations for the results.
Typically, those over the age of 40 may be suitable candidates for a facelift. A suitable patient is in good health with skin that has retained some of its elasticity and a strong, well-defined bone structure. Factors such as past surgeries performed in the area or any health conditions the candidate may have will need to be discussed.
These procedures are not recommended for younger patients whose visible signs of ageing may be effectively addressed with less invasive treatments. They are also not recommended for patients who are obese, have problems with blood clotting, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or have a tendency to form large scars. However, Dr Norris will be happy to discuss other facial procedures offered at Form and Face with you should you not be a suitable candidate for a surgical procedure.
Candidates who are pregnant or breastfeeding will not be suitable for a facelift.
At Form and Face, we assess whether or not candidates are suitable for surgery to help reduce the chances of complications occurring, manage expectations, and find the right procedure for each patient.
If you’re not sure if you want to undergo a surgical facelift, your consultation will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Your consultation with Dr Norris
Dr Benjamin Norris will meet with you personally before you undergo your facelift.
During your initial consultation, you will discuss what you would like to achieve with the procedure, and your expectations for surgery. This will help you to personally decide if a facelift is the right procedure for you.
You will need to discuss some personal factors, including health history, current health, the details of medications or supplements, and some lifestyle factors that may influence your suitability for a surgical procedure.
Dr Norris will evaluate your skin tone and facial structure, including the degree of the skin and the amount of fat tissue on the face.
Once you have determined your suitability for surgery, you can then discuss the details of your procedure. A facelift should be personalised to consider all of your individual needs and suit your personal features. Your consultation also includes a photograph that will be taken and included in your medical records.
Dr Norris will discuss surgery preparation, recovery (including follow-up appointments and instructions to follow), and possible complications. He will aim to minimise the chance of complications as much as possible and explain the steps that you can take after surgery to help further minimise complications.
Your procedure plan will provide you with cost information. A facelift is a highly personalised surgery, and this can influence the costs of the procedure. During your consultation, you can discuss the costs and receive a personalised quote.
Your initial consultation will allow you to ask Dr Norris any questions you have about the procedure, and receive all of the necessary information to help you feel prepared for surgery.
If you decide to move forward, you will then meet Shannon, our bright and friendly Practice Manager. Shannon will arrange a detailed quote and discuss your options for surgery.
What is the cost of a facelift in Sydney?
We will need to provide you with individual costs information during your initial consultation.
There is no such thing as one-size/one-cost fits all when it comes to facelifts. Facelifts are highly individualised surgeries, and, as such, there is no real way to calculate average costs without a consultation.
Together, you can discuss your surgical options at Form and Face, devise a treatment plan to help you achieve your results, and obtain a personalised price estimate.
The cost of a facelift will need to consider the surgeon’s fees, which are dependent on Dr Norris and reflect the surgeon’s experience and qualification level. We will need to factor in the anaesthetist’s fees, which will also be determined by the particular anaesthetist who will be responsible for your general anaesthesia during your procedure.
Your costs will include hospital fees, which include time spent in the operating theatre and the recovery room. Other costs that may be required during your recovery, such as facial bandages or follow-up appointments, can also be a factor.
We invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr Norris by using the contact form below, or by calling us on 1800 376 677
Your consultation will enable you to discuss what you want to achieve with a facelift, what you expect from the surgery and other individual factors that need to be discussed to create your personalised surgery plan.
How to prepare for a facelift procedure
Prior to a facelift, Dr Norris will meet with you in our Bondi Junction practice for a preliminary consultation. After your first consultation, he prefers to see patients again at a second consultation prior to performing a facelift. At that time, he will give you detailed and specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.
Your instructions will need to be tailored to your individual needs and the details of your surgery. Often, facelift preparation instructions include the following:
- Stop smoking – Dr Norris requires that his patients stop smoking two months prior to a facelift or neck lift procedure. Smoking inhibits circulation, and good circulation is essential to healing.
- Stop taking blood-thinning medications – Discontinue any medications you are taking that are associated with a risk of increased bleeding two weeks prior to surgery. This includes over-the-counter preparations and prescribed medication, as well as herbal supplements. The only exceptions are medications that have been approved by Dr Norris.
- Arrange for transport home after surgery – You will need to arrange for a patient escort to take you home after your procedure.
- Arrange for time off from work – You will need to take some time off work or your normal daily activities to sufficiently rest and recover at home.
Other steps you can take to prepare for your recovery after surgery can include:
- You can prepare by filling prescriptions (such as for prescription pain medication) in advance, ensuring that you have a comfortable space in your home to recover, and wearing loose, comfortable clothing (such as clothing that does not have to be pulled on over your head).
- To make recovery easier, you may want to arrange your home so that items you will frequently need are within reach, as movement may be restricted during the earlier days of your recovery.
What happens during a facelift surgery?
Dr Norris will perform your facelift surgery in fully accredited medical facilities. There, you will be attended to by experienced and qualified staff, including an anaesthetist with whom Dr Norris regularly works. Facelift procedures are performed under general anaesthesia.
There are three steps in a traditional full-face facelift:
- Main Incision – This incision is made above the hairline and continues in front of and behind the ear. It is hidden in the hairline so that only a small scar will be visible post-surgery.
- Secondary Incision – This incision is made beneath the chin.
- Tissue Repositioning – Dr Norris separates the skin from the underlying tissue, removes excess fat, and tightens the muscle and tissue. The skin is pulled upwards and the incisions are closed.
Facelift surgery takes approximately three to five hours, depending on the patient and the procedure. If you are having outpatient surgery, you will be in the hospital for about seven hours. More complex procedures may require an overnight stay.
The personalised details of your facelift procedure will be explained during your consultation, before the day of your surgery.
What to expect after the surgery?
After a facelift or neck lift, you’ll be taken to a recovery room for monitoring. You’ll be given pain medication to reduce any discomfort you may be feeling.
You may have a bandage wrapped around your face, and tubes may be placed under your skin to help drain excess fluid. The tubes are removed in a day or two. Bandages remain in place for one to five days after surgery, but patients will need to wear a surgical facial garment for 6 weeks following a facelift or neck lift.
Stitches are used to close the incisions. These sutures are removed after five days. If the procedure requires the use of stitches or metal clips in the hairline area, they may be left in longer for maximum healing.
After Dr Norris removes your stitches and bandages:
- Your face is likely to feel stiff and immobile.
- Areas affected by the surgery may feel numb.
- There may be bruising and swelling.
You will receive postoperative instructions such as elevating your head and applying cold compresses to reduce swelling. You will also be given a prescription for medication to manage any discomfort you experience.
Swelling can take some time to subside, even after you have completed your initial recovery period. Swelling typically begins to subside during the first one to two weeks after surgery but can take up to three to six months to completely subside.
A follow-up appointment with Dr Norris will be scheduled for you 3-7 days after the operation. At that time, he will inspect your incision areas and change the dressing. As for other post-surgical advice:
- You may return to work and begin light exercise (such as walking) after two weeks
- You may resume normal daily exercise after six weeks.
The length of time you need to wait before returning to work or resuming daily activities can depend on the nature of your job or lifestyle. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for longer to allow for sufficient healing. During your consultation, you will discuss what you do for work and other lifestyle factors so that you can receive personalised advice.
During your recovery, you should also monitor your general health and the treated area for any possible signs that a complication has occurred. You will discuss potential complications at your consultation, how to spot them and how they can be managed should they occur.
At Form and Face, we provide patients with a Lifetime Followup Guarantee, meaning that we can provide support long after your initial recovery period. If you have any post-surgical concerns, you are able to contact our clinic for personalised guidance.
Potential Surgery Risks and Complications
All surgeries carry some degree of risk, including blood clots and a negative reaction to anaesthesia. During your consultation, you will discuss all possible scenarios and create a plan of action to help minimise your exposure. Before undergoing a facelift, you will undergo a thorough assessment to determine your suitability for surgery, which will also help prevent some complications.
Specific risks related to facelifts include:
- Pain or discomfort
- Swelling
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Nerve Injury
- Hair loss near the incision site
- Damage to deeper structures
- Asymmetry of features Blood clots
- Fluid accumulation (Seroma)
- Skin necrosis (Tissue death)
- Requirement for revision surgery (Tissue death)
- Requirement for other treatments to treat complications
There will be some scarring, but Dr Norris works carefully to make surgical incisions in the natural contours of the ear, in the hairline, or below the chin, so they will be less likely to show.
Complications such as infection will require medical treatment. During your consultation, you will discuss the symptoms of infection (and other complications). Signs of infection can include fever or swelling and redness at the incision sites.
Please contact the clinic if you have any concerns during your recovery or if you have any further questions about your recovery instructions.
Why choose Dr Norris for a facelift in Sydney?
Dr Benjamin Norris is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with particular knowledge in Cosmetic Surgery. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons FRACS in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as a Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
With over 20 years of training, he has trained in Sydney and overseas, including Auckland and the United Kingdom. He currently has an ongoing program that involves travelling to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery centres throughout Europe and the United States.
Dr Norris has trained in performing procedures with short-scar and minimal-scar techniques, and reconstructive and microsurgery procedures for patients with cancers of the face, head and neck regions, as well as complex trauma. He offers a variety of procedures at his Bondi Junction and Bella Vista locations.
Read more to learn about Dr Norris and his professional associations, or contact our team if you have any questions.
Facelift FAQs
During your consultation, Dr. Norris will discuss treatment options that may be suited to your needs. He will take your medical history and also question you about your expectations regarding a surgical outcome. If a surgical facelift is not a suitable procedure for you, he may be able to recommend alternative treatment options to achieve the results you want.
During your consultation to plan your procedure, you will discuss where the incisions will be placed. To minimise the visibility of scarring, Dr Norris carefully makes surgical incisions in the natural contours of the ear, in the hairline, or below the chin.
The recovery time after a facelift can vary from patient to patient. Factors such as the complexity of the procedure, individual healing and how well preparation and recovery instructions are followed can influence recovery time. Often, work and light exercise can be resumed after two weeks, and normal exercise activities can be resumed after six weeks.
While non-surgical treatment alternatives may be suitable for some patients, surgery can be more suitable for those who want a permanent result. A facelift can surgically remove excess skin and tissue. Non-surgical treatments can achieve effective results, but they are typically less extensive than those achieved with a facelift.
A facelift should be performed with an approach that suits your individual features. Facelifts are not designed to change your features, but to focus on excess tissue and lifting the skin on the face.
A facelift is performed as a day procedure but may require an overnight stay to monitor you. The exact time the surgery takes will depend on your individual surgery and can be discussed during your initial consultation.
Here at Form & Face, we provide patients with a
Lifetime followup guarantee
This means that we will be there for you far beyond the recovery period.
You can rest assured knowing that you can come to us about any
post-surgical concerns for the rest of your life.