Is a Facelift Painful?

When undergoing facelift surgery, you will be administered general anesthesia to be pain-free. Post-surgery, patients have reported mild swelling, discomfort, and bruising. Dr. Schafer can prescribe pain medication as needed to deal with these symptoms.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Schafer will have you return to the office 24 hours after surgery. He will then want to see you a week after surgery to remove the sutures. You will then need to follow up one month after surgery and then every quarter for the first year after your surgery.

How Long Until I See Results?

Even though you might see immediate changes right after surgery, the bruising and swelling during the first few weeks will obscure the impact. While recovery should only take about three to four weeks, most patients will require about six months to a year to see their optimal facelift results.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

The scarring depends on the type of facelift you receive. For a mini-facelift, the scarring is in front of the ear lobe or behind it. The scars will initially be red and fade to your skin color with time. We recommend using scar gel, resting, hydrating, and following post-operative instructions.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Facelift?

Patients are recommended to abstain from exercise for the first three to four weeks. However, gentle walks are encouraged right after surgery to prevent the formation of any blood clots.

Can I Combine a Facelift with Other Procedures?

Absolutely! Many of our patients choose to combine their Facelifts with other facial contouring surgeries like buccal fat removal or PRP/PRF therapy. Regardless of your aesthetic goals, you are encouraged to share any cosmetic ideas with Dr. Schafer during the initial consultation to gain his advice.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Facelift?

A facelift is an involved procedure and does have some associated risks. Some of these risks include: Anesthesia risks Bleeding Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications Facial nerve injury with weakness Fluid accumulation Infection Hair loss Hematoma (collection of blood hematoma under the skin) Nerve injury Numbness or other changes in skin sensation Persistent pain Scarring While many of these side effects should heal on their own over time, if you do find yourself experiencing any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please be sure to contact the practice immediately.

Facelift In Philadelphia | Subbio Plastic Surgery

Introduction to Facelift

With the effects of time, gravity, and diminishing collagen in our bodies, our faces, like other body parts, begin to sag and droop. Even though this is normal, many are interested in reversing this process and extending their youthful-looking faces. Thus, a facelift is one of the world’s most popular and well-known plastic surgery procedures. It aims at tightening and lifting the face by eliminating excess skin, wrinkles, and fine lines. If you are interested in receiving a facelift in Philadelphia, consider scheduling a consultation at Subbio Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa. Founded by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Subbio, our practice has become the one-stop shop for cosmetic and aesthetic procedures, including a facelift performed by Dr. Charles Schafer in Philadelphia.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift, medically known as a Rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery involving various procedures targeted at facial features. Personalized to meet each client’s aesthetic goals, Dr. Schafer will target each section of the face to arrive at a final facial anatomy that suits your aesthetic desires. Patients who have received a facelift have felt more rejuvenated and reported increased self-esteem.

Types of Facelifts

At Subbio Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa, we offer different types of facelifts. During your initial consultation, we will discuss all the procedures to determine which best suits your needs.

Mini-Facelift

A mini facelift is a surgical facelift that involves a smaller incision than a traditional one and targets the face’s lower half. It is the best option for younger patients with sagging skin and wrinkles in their early phases.

Non-Surgical Facelift

A non-surgical facelift uses filler injections and topical applications that are strategically applied and distributed to achieve a newer shape of the face. For a non-surgical approach, make a consultation with one of our NP Injectors.

What Are The Benefits Of A Facelift?

Some benefits include:

Better facial proportion and anatomy
Boost in self-esteem
Elimination of saggy jowls
Long-lasting results
Reduction in wrinkles and fine lines
Tighter jawline

Red haired woman in a red leather jacket

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Facelift?

Patients who opt for a facelift are those who want to look as young as they feel. They do not want the outside world to judge how they feel internally. Patients who are good candidates for a facelift will typically:

Have a double chin
Have excess and sagging skin on their face
Have low self-esteem due to an aging face
Maintain realistic expectations
No underlying medical conditions
Non-smokers
Notice significant lines and wrinkles across the face.

What’s the First Step?

The process of getting a facelift starts early with your consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Schafer will analyze your face very thoroughly and suggest an approach that will work for your personal and unique physiology. He will also ask you about your main areas of concern and talk you through the various techniques available to target them. This is the right time to discuss your medical history and ask any questions you might have about the procedure and its associated risks.

Once you both agree to proceed with the type of facelift, Dr. Schafer will make a surgical plan, which you can then take to our Patient Care Coordinator for pricing, scheduling your procedure, and receiving any pre-operative instructions.

What to Expect on the Day of Facelift Surgery

Facelift procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can return home once the immediate effects of the anesthesia wear off. In most cases, no overnight hospital stay is involved in a facelift procedure. Patients are recommended to have a family member or a friend drive them home.

Once you are settled in your room at the surgical center, Dr. Schafer will go over the surgical plan once more in case of any outlying questions and concerns. It is essential that you feel carefree going into the surgery. Finally, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer the predetermined type of anesthesia so that you are comfortable throughout the procedure.

Once sedated, Dr. Schafer will create the incisions and manipulate the various target areas of the face to arrive at a facial anatomy of your choice. Once that work is complete, the incisions are closed with sutures, and potentially are some locations with surgical staples.

Sometimes, Dr. Schafer might place drains to prevent any fluid build-up.

Facelift Recovery

Once the surgery is complete, our team will monitor you in the recovery room until the sedation wears off.

Given that the face is a sensitive part of the body, patients are recommended to take a few weeks off from work and take it easy. It takes around that time for the swelling and bruising to subside. The face should be kept elevated, strenuous exercise beyond walking should be avoided, and cold compresses and pain medication should be used as needed.

Depending on the approach, a facelift can remove ten to fifteen years from your face. It is a long-lasting result that might need to be repeated every five years for maintenance.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Philadelphia, PA?

The cost of a facelift in Philadelphia, PA, depends on your case’s complexity, and the surgeon’s fees, among many factors. To get an accurate estimate of the price, you should schedule your consultation with Dr. Schafer so that he can create the best surgical plan for you. Our Patient Care Coordinator will then be able to provide you with the cost after your plan is created.

Why Choose Subbio Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa?

For this reason, Subbio Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa in Philadelphia has earned the reputation of being a leader in the area and its field. Its founding inspiration has come out of service, impact, and the importance of boosting self-esteem in its clients. Founder and board-certified plastic Surgeon Dr. Christian Subbio was inspired to become a surgeon after learning about plastic surgeons who volunteer their skill and artistic vision to help cleft lip and burn victims in India. Once he became a surgeon, he began volunteering himself, traveling globally once or twice a year.

Dr. Charles Schafer is an Emory-trained plastic surgeon, an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Dr. Christian Subbio is Board-certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by the prestigious American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Robert H. Ivy Pennsylvania Plastic Surgery Society.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you are looking to reverse time on your face, consider a facelift at Subbio Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa near Philadelphia, PA. Don’t delay scheduling your consultation with Dr. Schafer so that you can begin discussing the next steps toward your youthful transformation. You can call us directly at (610) 356-6100 or fill out our online form, and a concierge team member will contact you.

Facelift FAQs

Your procedure questions answered.

Even though you might see immediate changes right after surgery, the bruising and swelling during the first few weeks will obscure the impact. While recovery should only take about three to four weeks, most patients will require about six months to a year to see their optimal facelift results.
The scarring depends on the type of facelift you receive. For a mini-facelift, the scarring is in front of the ear lobe or behind it. The scars will initially be red and fade to your skin color with time. We recommend using scar gel, resting, hydrating, and following post-operative instructions.
Absolutely! Many of our patients choose to combine their Facelifts with other facial contouring surgeries like buccal fat removal or PRP/PRF therapy. Regardless of your aesthetic goals, you are encouraged to share any cosmetic ideas with Dr. Schafer during the initial consultation to gain his advice.
A facelift is an involved procedure and does have some associated risks. Some of these risks include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Facial nerve injury with weakness
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Hair loss
- Hematoma (collection of blood hematoma under the skin)
- Nerve injury
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Scarring
While many of these side effects should heal on their own over time, if you do find yourself experiencing any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please be sure to contact the practice immediately.

Take the first step to becoming the best version of yourself.

3734 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073

In our office, you will be treated like a part of our family. It’s a relaxing, pressure-free haven where you can feel comfortable to ask all of your questions. We think you’ll sense immediately that we care as much about your safety and your beautiful results as you do. Contact us today for a consultation, and find out why Dr. Subbio has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted and skilled plastic surgeons in Philadelphia.

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