Facelift & Neck Lift in Anchorage

At some point, you may start to notice your face looking older than you feel inside. With age, wrinkles and fine lines develop around the mouth, jowls add bulk to the lower face, and loose neck skin forms a “turkey wattle.” While nonsurgical treatments can minimize early signs of aging, people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s often choose to get facelift and neck lift surgery at our Anchorage, Alaska, practice for these more advanced signs of aging. We will personalize each facelift procedure to help women and men look naturally rejuvenated.

To schedule an appointment, please call (907) 563-2002 today.

Are You a Candidate for Facelift & Neck Lift Surgery?

If you look in the mirror and feel like the sagging cheeks and jowls you see don’t reflect your energy and youthfulness, a facelift can help you look as good as you feel. A neck lift can repair the vertical platysma muscles in the neck that separate as we age, creating thin bands on either side of the neck and reducing the definition of the jawline. Additionally, to be a good candidate for a facelift, you must be a nonsmoker. Smoking not only contributes to facial aging but inhibits healing after surgery. You should be in good overall health and it’s important to have realistic expectations about your results. A facelift typically makes patients look as they did about 10 years earlier.

Many facelift patients also benefit from eyelid surgery and a brow lift, lip lift, and chemical peels to address the entire face.

What Is the Best Type of Facelift?

If you’ve researched facelifts for any time at all, you may be overwhelmed by the various types of facelift procedures described online. The technique offered to you will depend on your underlying anatomy and aesthetic goals.

You may have read about a “deep plane facelift,” which is a comprehensive rejuvenation technique that targets the underlying layers of facial tissue, including the deeper muscle and fat structures. By lifting and repositioning these foundational elements via the SMAS layer, it addresses significant sagging, deep wrinkles, and volume loss for a more youthful, natural appearance. This approach provides dramatic, long-lasting results and is ideal for individuals seeking a significant enhancement in facial contours and overall rejuvenation.

All modern and effect techniques involve modification of the SMAS layer, which is the strength layer just deep to the skin and fat, and superficial to the nerves and muscles of facial expression. SMAS is short for superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a layer of tissue and muscle that connects the lower face, jawline, and neck, stretching from the ear to the neck. Plastic surgeons learned many years ago that simply stretching the skin tight during a facelift, without adjusting the SMAS layer, led to results that didn’t last long and appeared pulled or “windswept.” There are some techniques that allow for modification of the SMAS layer with minimal violation of the layer itself. These techniques may be utilized for your lift, if it is right for you.

Meet Our Surgeons

Our surgeons are uniquely talented and share a dedication to providing our patients the type of personalized care that has established Plastic Surgeons of Alaska as the premier practice in the state.

Dr. James Lee Dr. Daniel Suver Dr. Aaron Berhanu Dr. Kerry Latham

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How Long Is Facelift Recovery?

Recovery experiences can vary based on the specifics of the surgery and individual factors. Here is a general timeline of what to expect:

First Few Days

• Expect significant swelling and bruising, which will peak around 3 to 4 days post-surgery.
• Discomfort and pain can be managed with prescription medication.
• Avoid bending over and strenuous activities to aid in healing.
• Rest and elevate your head while sleeping to reduce swelling.

1 to 2 Weeks

• Physical recovery will involve managing swelling and bruising, with the initial phase of recovery often requiring a significant amount of rest.
• Follow-up appointments to check on healing progress and potential removal of sutures if applicable.
• Return to light, non-strenuous activities as advised by your surgeon.
• You may return to work if your job involves minimal physical activity, but avoid any strenuous tasks.
• Maintain a low profile in social situations, as swelling and bruising may still be noticeable.

2 to 4 Weeks

• Swelling and bruising will begin to subside, though residual effects may remain. You will gradually become socially presentable during this phase.
• Gradually return to more regular activities and follow your surgeon’s advice on resuming normal routines.
• Return to more demanding work duties and resume regular exercise, avoiding vigorous activities that could strain the healing tissues.

1 to 2 Months

• Significant improvement in appearance as swelling and bruising continue to fade.
• Follow-up visits to assess the final results and overall recovery progress.

Several Months

• Final results will become apparent as swelling fully resolves and healing progresses.
• Scars will continue to fade and refine over several months.
• Continue to follow your surgeon’s recommendations for maintaining optimal results.

The recovery following a facelift is really 2 phases—the physical recovery and the social recovery. Your social recovery depends on how comfortable you feel being in public before the swelling and bruising completely resolve. If you’re planning to attend a significant social event, such as a wedding, you should allow at least 2 months to completely heal.

Commonly Combined Procedures

Many patients enhance their facelift with a complementary procedure to enhance their results. “Stacking” procedures allows you to enjoy comprehensive rejuvenation with only one recovery period and one set of anesthesia and facility fees. Popular options include:

• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
• BOTOX® Cosmetic
• JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will create a custom treatment plan to meet your needs.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Anchorage, AK?

The cost of a facelift depends on several factors, including if it’s combined with a neck lift, the extent of the changes needed, the location of the plastic surgery procedure, and other factors. The cost of facelift surgery in Anchorage, for example, will be different than in Seattle or Los Angeles. After your consultation, we’ll provide a price quote that breaks down the costs.

Facelift FAQ

What’s the best age to get a facelift?

There’s no specific ideal age for facelift surgery. It completely depends on the level of facial aging, skin elasticity, and personal preferences. In short, the best time to have a facelift is when you look in the mirror and expect a younger version of what you see. However, some people have facelift surgery earlier or later. At Plastic Surgeons of Alaska, your procedure is tailored to your goals and stage of life to help you look like a refreshed, younger version of yourself.

Are there any nonsurgical alternatives to facelift surgery?

Yes and no. Facial aging is a multifactorial process, and some nonsurgical procedures are able to restore volume and improve skin quality. Some options like BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, and microneedling can temporarily reduce early signs of aging. However, the only way to address laxity of the deep structures will be a facelift procedure.

How painful is the procedure?

Facelift surgery is performed under anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. Some swelling, tightness, and discomfort are common during recovery, but pain is usually well controlled with prescribed medication. Most patients describe the recovery as manageable and return to their regular routines within 2 to 3 weeks.

Is a neck lift always done at the same time as a facelift?

Although it isn’t clear in the name, a “full” facelift involves the lower 2/3 of your face and the neck. The areas are combined together, as treating both areas can create a more balanced, harmonious result.

How many years will the results last?

Facelift results typically last 7 to 10 years. Although the aging process continues after your surgery, you will continue to look younger than your chronological age. Protecting your skin from the sun, following a healthy lifestyle, and maintaining a good at-home skincare routine can help extend your results.

Will my facelift look natural?

Yes. Today’s facelift techniques focus on repositioning deeper tissues, not just tightening the skin, to create smooth, natural-looking results. The goal is not to change your appearance but to restore a more youthful version of yourself. Our facelift patients look refreshed, never overdone.

Schedule a Consultation

Women and men in Anchorage and elsewhere in Alaska considering a facelift can schedule an appointment by calling (907) 563-2002 or request a consultation at our practice using the online form.