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Facelift

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Why Choose a Facelift?

A facelift can make you look refreshed, rejuvenated, and younger while leaving no trace of cosmetic work. Instead of transforming your facial appearance, it can reintroduce you to your younger self from 10 or 20 years ago. If you meet your friends and family after the recovery period, they’re likely to note how much younger you look without guessing your secret.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Boston, MA, Dr. Boustany specializes in customized facelift techniques to address your unique facial anatomy, aging concerns, and goals, all while avoiding the telltale signs of surgery.

Dr. Boustany’s personalized facelift techniques

Dr. Boustany is a Harvard-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who uses the latest and safest facelift techniques available. She avoids a cookie-cutter approach, instead designing a plan tailored to your facial structure, skin quality, and aesthetic goals. During surgery, Dr. Boustany carefully repositions and lifts the deeper facial tissues, removes excess fat and skin, and tightens the underlying musculature. Her technique avoids the over-pulled or “windblown” look, focusing instead on results that appear completely natural.
Common incision types include:

Traditional facelift incision: Begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ears, and ends in the lower scalp.
Limited/mini facelift incision: Smaller incisions, typically located around the ear.
Neck lift incision (when combined): Often placed under the chin to address laxity in the neck.

Am I a suitable candidate for a facelift in Boston?

Consider a rhytidectomy (or neck lift) if you find yourself dissatisfied with your reflection. If you notice facial sagging, wrinkles, or signs of aging, along with the development of deep jowls and nasolabial folds, you may be an ideal candidate for these procedures.

The primary goal of a facelift is to make you look younger rather than changing your existing facial features. You will still look like yourself, but more like how you looked 10 or 20 years ago.

Dr. Boustany conducts a thorough consultation to assess your facial anatomy, skin elasticity, and medical history to help determine whether a facelift or a combination of facial rejuvenation procedures will best achieve your aesthetic goals.

What can a facelift improve?

Lift facial skin and tissues
Remove sagging skin from the jawline
Soften the wrinkles, creases, and fine lines
Tighten the underlying muscles
Make your skin look taut and firm
Provide a sculpted jawline
Remove sagging jowls
Remove excess fat deposits under the chin
Remove excess skin from the upper neck

What happens during the facelift?

Every facelift begins with a thorough assessment of your facial skin, musculature, and goals. Dr. Boustany performs the facelift procedure in a state-of-the-art Boston surgical facility, often under general anesthesia, though local anesthesia with IV sedation may be used in select cases. The entire surgery will take a few hours, but you won’t have any recollection of it.

Dr. Boustany carefully makes incisions behind the ears, along the hairline, under the chin, and in other locations that usually remain hidden from plain view. She will precisely reposition fat tissues, remove excess skin and fat, and tighten the underlying muscles. Finally, the incisions will be closed with the utmost precision to minimize scarring.

After the surgery, you’ll be taken to our recovery suite, where our healthcare professionals will monitor you to rule out the possibility of complications or bad reactions to anesthesia. Your face will be bandaged, but you’ll be allowed to return home the very same day. You will need a trusted adult to accompany you home and stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours.

Facelift Surgery Aftercare:

You should expect mild swelling and bruising for the first two weeks, following which the side effects will gradually dissipate. Dr. Boustany will prescribe medications with specific instructions to prevent infections, minimize discomfort, and ensure optimal healing.

You must follow her instructions precisely, which may include the following tips:

Keep your head elevated, even while sleeping
Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity
Wear any recommended compression garments
Use prescribed medications and follow wound care instructions
Avoid sun exposure to protect healing skin

The recovery period for a facelift in Boston should take around six weeks, but you can resume most of your daily activities in two weeks.

What Are My Facelift Options?

Full facelift

A full facelift rejuvenates the entire face from the forehead to the neck and addresses deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of muscle tone caused by aging. It involves lifting and tightening the skin and deeper tissues, creating a smoother and more youthful appearance. Typically performed under general anesthesia, a full facelift requires incisions around the hairline and ears, where excess skin is removed, and the underlying facial structure is reshaped. The results can last up to a decade, offering long-term facial rejuvenation.

SMAS facelift

The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) facelift is a more advanced technique than a traditional facelift. It focuses on the deeper layers of facial muscles and connective tissue. By targeting the SMAS layer, the surgeon can lift and tighten not only the skin but also the deeper structures, resulting in a more natural and longer-lasting improvement in facial contour. A facelift in Boston procedure is particularly effective for addressing sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, and jowls, providing a more youthful and balanced look without over-tightening the skin.

Deep plane facelift

The deep plane facelift is an advanced facial rejuvenation technique that offers dramatic and natural-looking results. Unlike the SMAS facelift, the deep plane facelift goes beneath the SMAS layer, allowing the surgeon to reposition the muscles and fat pads without pulling the skin too tightly. This technique is highly effective for addressing midface sagging, restoring volume to the cheeks, and refining the jawline. The deep plane approach results in minimal tension on the skin, which reduces scarring and leads to natural outcomes.

Mini facelift

A mini facelift is a less invasive option for individuals showing early signs of aging, particularly around the lower face and jawline. This procedure involves smaller incisions and focuses on lifting the skin and tightening the tissues in the lower face, including the jowls and chin. The recovery time is significantly shorter than with a full facelift, making it an attractive option for those looking for a subtle, refreshed appearance without extensive surgery.

Lower facelift

A lower facelift is a targeted procedure that focuses on the bottom third of the face, primarily addressing sagging in the jawline, chin, and neck. This surgery is ideal for individuals whose primary concerns are jowls, loose neck skin, and diminished jawline definition. By tightening the underlying muscles and removing excess skin, the lower facelift in Boston provides a more defined and youthful lower face. It can be combined with other facial procedures, such as a neck lift or eyelid surgery, for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Facelift Before and After

Possible complementary treatments

For comprehensive facial rejuvenation, Dr. Boustany may recommend combining your facelift with one or several of these procedures:

Neck lift to tighten sagging skin below the jawline
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to refresh tired, heavy eyes
Brow lift to smooth forehead lines and elevate drooping brows
Fat grafting or dermal fillers to restore volume in the cheeks or under the eyes
Laser resurfacing or RF microneedling to improve skin texture and tone

Facelift cost breakdown

The total cost of your facelift in Boston varies depending on the complexity of your case and whether additional procedures are performed. On average, you can expect:

Surgeon’s fee: $8,000 to $15,000+
Anesthesia fees: $1,000 to $2,000
Facility fees: $1,500 to $3,000
Pre-op labs & medications: $300 to $600

These are estimates and not a substitute for a personalized quote. Since this is a cosmetic procedure, insurance typically does not cover it. Flexible financing options may be available. Please schedule a private consultation with Dr. Boustany, during which she will curate a personalized surgical plan and offer a specific quote for your case.

How to choose the right facelift surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon is crucial for achieving natural and safe results. When evaluating a plastic surgeon for your facelift, look for:

Board certification in plastic surgery
Fellowship training in facial aesthetic surgery
A portfolio of before-and-after photos
A surgeon who emphasizes natural outcomes
A transparent consultation process
Access to hospital-grade surgical facilities

Dr. Boustany meets all of these qualifications and more. She is a board-certified plastic surgeon who completed an elite aesthetic surgery fellowship at Harvard Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship, one of the nation’s top fellowship training programs. With her advanced reconstructive training and a meticulous eye for detail, she combines surgical expertise with refined artistry to deliver safe, natural-looking, and transformative results.

Facelift FAQs

Are there any risks or complications associated with facelift surgery?

Like any surgical procedure, rhytidectomy surgery carries risks such as infection, bleeding, scarring, and nerve damage. Complications may include hematoma, seroma, or unfavorable scarring. However, you can significantly reduce these risks by choosing a Harvard fellowship-trained facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon like Dr. Boustany and following all pre- and post-operative care instructions diligently.

How long do the results of a facelift last?

The longevity of facelift results varies from person to person, depending on factors such as age, skin quality, and lifestyle habits. Generally, the effects of a facelift can last for 7 to 10 years. However, ongoing aging and environmental factors can gradually affect the results over time.

Will a facelift address other signs of aging, such as wrinkles or sagging skin in the neck?

Yes, a facelift in Boston can improve various signs of facial aging, including wrinkles, sagging skin, and jowls. Depending on the specific techniques used, a facelift can also address sagging skin in the neck region, providing a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the lower face and neck.

Are there alternative treatments to a traditional facelift?

Yes, there are non-surgical alternatives to traditional facelift surgery. These include injectable fillers, laser resurfacing, and thread lifts, among others. While these treatments may offer temporary improvements, they do not provide the same level of results as a surgical facelift. We also offer other surgical procedures to help reverse the signs of aging such as neck lift, brow lift and eyelid surgery, which can add to facelift results and an overall refreshed appearance.

How much does a facelift cost, and is it covered by insurance?

The cost of a facelift in Boston varies depending on the extent of the procedure. Furthermore, since facelift surgery is considered elective cosmetic surgery, it is not covered by insurance. Please consult Dr. Boustany to explore your facelift options and receive a personalized quote.

Why choose Dr. Boustany for your Boston facelift?

Dr. Boustany is a Harvard fellowship-trained facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon with keen artistic sensibilities and a talented team of Harvard-affiliated professionals to support her. She focuses on elevating your facial features and reversing the hands of time, reintroducing you to your younger self. Her innovative techniques ensure naturalized and subtle results that leave no obvious signs of cosmetic work. To learn more about your options for a facelift in Boston, contact our office today.

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