How Much Does a Deep Plane Facelift Cost?Facelift

Nearly every patient’s first question is, “how much does this cost?” This is a question that should be answered based on several factors such as surgeon’s expertise, surgical facility fee, anesthesia, and aftercare. Here are some elements of cost for a deep plane facelift at my practice in Newport Beach.

What Is the Average Cost of a Deep Plane Facelift in Newport Beach, CA? ($65,000 and Up)

A deep plane facelift, in which the deeper layers of the face are moved rather than just pulled on by the skin, is technically demanding and requires specialized skill. In my practice, the cost of my Preservation Deep Plane Facelift starts at around $65,000. That price reflects over 5,000 facelifts over two decades, a technique I developed and published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and a post-op recovery protocol that many practices do not offer.

Consultation Fee ($500)

During your consultation, we would discuss what, if anything, your facial anatomy needs. And more importantly, what it doesn’t. I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to recommend a procedure for a patient that isn’t needed, just to drive up the cost of surgery. At your consultation we would build a specific plan for you.

Surgeon’s Fee

More than anything else, this drives up the cost of a facelift. And it depends on the surgeon’s experience and specialization. A surgeon who does, say, 10 facelifts every year (along with breast and body surgery) will charge much less than one whose practice over the past 20 years has been exclusively facial rejuvenation. And his or her fee would reflect that experience. So would a technique published in a major journal and taught internationally by that surgeon.

Anesthesia Fees

Often, most deep plane facelifts are performed under general anesthesia, which involves more risks and stress on the body. I use IV sedation with propofol called twilight anesthesia for my patients with a board certified anesthesiologist monitoring your vitals. There are no after effects like nausea and lethargy after surgery, faster recovery. The cost of anesthesia whether general or twilight sedation is the same since that fee reflects the anesthesiologist time.

Facility Fees

Facility cost will depend on whether you’re having surgery in a hospital OR in a dedicated surgical center. I do my procedures in my own, accredited surgical center at my Newport Beach office. Here we can create an environment suited to facial surgery with staff trained to do one thing and fully equipped with high tech devices.

Additional Procedures

Many patients add to their facelift a brow lift, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, lip lift, or laser resurfacing. Where appropriate, it makes sense to do these together rather than separately. In that case, you’d only pay facility and anesthesia fees once. More importantly, you only have one recovery rather than taking time from life to recover several times. Whether one or a combination of procedures are right for you depends on your anatomy, not on price.

Recovery and Aftercare

In my pricing, I include more than most practices would. A private recovery room with nursing, photobiomodulation light therapy to reduce bruising and swelling, hyperbaric oxygen therapy to speed healing, IV vitamin therapy, and nutritional support. This isn’t an optional add-on. Rather, it supports the fact that for many patients, their investment in a facelift will pay off in faster, smoother recovery.

How to Determine the Cost of Your Deep Plane Facelift

Only through a consultation could you know the cost of your facelift. Every deep plane facelift is individual to the patient. But don’t necessarily judge a facelift by price. Ask a surgeon how many he’s done, what his 1-2 year results look like compared with his 6-week results, what percentage of his patients need a revision and whether his facility is accredited.

More often than not, this would tell you more about your outcome than the price. A deep plane facelift is an investment, and usually, the cheapest option isn’t the best value. It’s more important that a surgeon has real expertise in this procedure, has a proven technique, good long-term results and specialization in facial rejuvenation. Only then will your investment in his work have a good chance of paying off. If cost is a concern, flexible financing options are also available to help make the right procedure accessible.