Your face is continuously subjected to harsh elements such as the sun, wind, and dirty air. As the years pass, your facial skin will eventually lose its resilient, flexible quality. This causes wrinkles, lines, and jowls to appear, marking the physical appearance of age. A facelift is the definitive facial rejuvenation surgery, and when performed by a surgical artist, this procedure delivers a result that looks exceptionally natural — not pulled or “worked on.” Contact us today to book a consulation today to see if a facelift in NYC by Dr. Mesa is right for you.
Should I get a facelift?
You may be dismayed to see your face looking older, with sagging skin, lost volume at your temples and cheeks, deep smile lines, and jowls that leave you looking old and tired. If you feel that your facial appearance does not match your energy, vitality, and youthful approach to life, a facelift may be the right procedure for you.
What Are Different Facelift Options?
A facelift corrects a variety of age-related concerns and creates a refreshed, refined, vibrant look: one that looks more like your younger self. When done by Dr. Mesa, our facelift in NYC is always customized to your specific concerns and goals, and Dr. Mesa may advise one of the following procedures:
Mini lift
This procedure is appropriate for those with less extreme facial aging. If you’re developing jowls and have lost youthful definition at the jawline, you may be a good candidate for this approach. The incisions are placed at the front and, in some cases, behind the ear. Once healed, the scars are virtually invisible. This approach is best for those who do not need to tighten the underlying facial muscles.
Full facelift
This more extensive procedure removes jowls, lax skin at neck and jawline, deep wrinkles, and creases. It subtly lifts the corners of the mouth. Deep laugh lines are smoothed away, and the underlying muscles tightened to achieve a very natural enhancement. The incisions are placed behind and in front of the ears and at the temples, with minor variations.
Lower facelift
A lower facelift focuses the surgical corrections on the lower face, jawline, and upper neck. This is often the recommended procedure for younger patients who retain more flexible skin and have not lost much facial volume at the cheeks.
Neck lift
If the signs of aging have impacted the appearance of your neck, combining a facelift with a neck lift may be advised. Removing excess neck fat and skin to smooth away creases or removing vertical neck bands creates a youthful, sculpted, jawline and a graceful neck contour.
Facial rejuvenation with FaceTite™
Dr. Mesa provides minimally invasive facial rejuvenation treatments with FaceTite™ in NYC. The radiofrequency energy emitted by the system lifts and tones excess skin without large incisions or big scars, triggering a natural lifting and firming effect — with far less downtime.
Dr. Mesa also performs facelifts under local anesthesia without general anesthesia or twilight anesthesia (IV sedation), which can significantly speed recovery time. If you would like to undergo the procedure with either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, it will be administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist.
What is the recovery time after a facelift?
The recovery time after a facelift will vary from person to person, but in general you should expect two to three weeks before you’re ready to venture out to show off your new look. A mini facelift may require only ten to fifteen days, as the incisions and surgical corrections heal more quickly.
You will need to sleep on your back while healing, and follow all aftercare instructions. Dr. Mesa’s patients are so thrilled with the results that you can expect that the wait will be well worth it. Your results should last from ten to fifteen years.
Why choose Dr. Mesa
for a facelift in NYC?
Dr. John Mesa is a triple fellowship-trained and board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon with certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). His skills and techniques have led to a reputation for excellence and countless positive reviews. Beyond his outstanding skills and techniques, Dr. Mesa focuses on establishing a strong patient-doctor bond and treats all of his patients with compassion and kindness. Your journey will be under the care of one of the most talented, caring plastic surgeons in the country, and a leader in the field of cosmetic facial surgery.
Facelift Frequently Asked Questions
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that lifts and tightens sagging facial tissues to restore youthful contours and reduce signs of aging. The procedure addresses wrinkles, lines, jowls, and loose skin by removing excess skin and tightening underlying muscles. Dr. Mesa's facelift technique delivers natural-looking results that don't appear "pulled" or "worked on."
Dr. Mesa offers several facelift options customized to your specific needs: a mini lift for less extensive aging with focus on jawline definition, a full facelift for comprehensive correction of jowls and deep wrinkles, a lower facelift targeting the lower face and upper neck, and combination procedures that may include a neck lift. He also offers minimally invasive FaceTite™ treatments for those seeking less downtime.
Facelift procedures typically take 2-4 hours, depending on the extent of correction needed and whether additional procedures are performed. Dr. Mesa specializes in performing facelifts under local anesthesia, which allows for a more comfortable experience and faster recovery compared to procedures performed under general anesthesia.
Recovery from a facelift typically takes 2-3 weeks before you're ready to show off your new look. A mini facelift may require only 10-15 days of recovery time. Most patients experience minimal pain, manageable swelling, and bruising, with many returning to social activities within two weeks. You'll need to sleep on your back during the healing process and follow all aftercare instructions.
Facelift incisions are strategically placed behind and in front of the ears and at the temples to minimize visible scarring. Once healed, the scars are virtually invisible due to Dr. Mesa's meticulous surgical techniques and careful incision placement. The natural healing process further helps scars fade over time.
Facelift results typically last 10-15 years, depending on individual aging processes and lifestyle factors. While the natural aging process continues, a facelift creates a more youthful starting point. Factors like sun exposure, smoking, and genetics can affect the longevity of your results, but Dr. Mesa's expert techniques aim for long-lasting, natural outcomes.
Yes, facelifts are frequently combined with other procedures such as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), brow lift, neck lift, or non-surgical treatments like dermal fillers for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Mesa often performs combined facelift and neck lift procedures to address sagging skin and muscle bands in the neck for enhanced overall results.
While non-surgical options like injectables (Botox, dermal fillers) and laser treatments can address certain signs of aging, they may not provide the same level of improvement as a surgical facelift. Dr. Mesa also offers minimally invasive FaceTite™ treatments that use radiofrequency energy to lift and tone skin with less downtime than traditional surgery.
Facelift costs typically range between $10,000 and $25,000, depending on the specific needs, extent of the procedure, and whether additional treatments are included. The cost includes surgeon fees, anesthesia, facility fees, and postoperative care. Dr. Mesa provides clear, transparent pricing during your consultation along with financing options.
Dr. Mesa's meticulous surgical techniques are designed specifically to provide subtle yet significant rejuvenation without the "operated" look. His approach maintains natural facial expressions and creates results that look like a refreshed, younger version of yourself rather than an artificial or "pulled" appearance.
Most patients can return to work within 7-14 days after facelift surgery, depending on the extent of the procedure and their healing progress. Office workers typically return sooner than those with physically demanding jobs. Dr. Mesa will provide specific guidelines based on your individual case and recovery progress.
Dr. Mesa is a triple fellowship-trained and board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon with certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His reputation for excellence, innovative awake facelift technique, and focus on natural results make him a leader in cosmetic facial surgery. Beyond his outstanding skills, Dr. Mesa focuses on establishing strong patient-doctor relationships and treats all patients with compassion and kindness throughout their journey.