Facelift / Neck Lift | Lisbon, Porto and Cascais

The price of a facelift depends on the initial condition of the skin, the complexity of the surgery and the combination of procedures. The facelift is often combined with other surgeries and non-invasive treatments - blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat grafting, fillers, wrinkle treatment with toxin, CO2 laser and peels. The exact cost of the facelift, whether carried out in Lisbon or Porto, will be confirmed on the day of the consultation after the medical diagnosis.

The anaesthetic administered depends on the type of facelift and the combination of procedures. Generally, a facelift is performed under sedation and local anaesthesia.

The ageing process differs from patient to patient and is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect the appearance of the face. There is no specific age at which lifting, However, surgery is indicated when there are visible and bothersome changes to the face, without allowing ageing to become too pronounced (usually at the age of 50/55). The sooner the surgery is carried out, the less invasive it will be and the more natural the result will be.

Fillers with fat or other anti-aging substances can restore lost volume - dark circles, cheekbones, nasolabial folds, the peribuccal area, etc. However, these treatments don't provide such striking and long-lasting results. They restore some lost volume and improve facial contour, but they don't eliminate excess skin or reposition facial muscles and structures.

A facelift removes excess skin and repositions facial structures, but it is not a wrinkle treatment. It can improve the appearance of nasolabial folds but does not treat wrinkles caused by muscle contraction, such as crow's feet, the “bar code” or forehead wrinkles, etc. To improve the appearance of fine, creased wrinkles, facelifts can be combined with other treatments such as toxins, fillers, peels and CO2 lasers. 

The aim of a facelift is to achieve a rejuvenated appearance without altering each person's natural features. A natural result is achieved by repositioning the deep structures of the face (fat and muscle structures) and eliminating excess skin. This approach restores lost contour and harmony to the face, without the “stretched skin” effect.

Many patients look 10 years younger after a facelift, but the appearance of the face after surgery will depend essentially on the genetic characteristics and care of each person.

As a rule, recovery takes 2 to 3 weeks, but it also depends on the combination of procedures. You can use make-up to disguise any bruising you may still have from the second week onwards.

In the post-operative period there may be some discomfort due to oedema, but pain is not expected. Swelling, bruising, numbness and tension may occur, but these are transitory symptoms that usually disappear after 3 weeks.

Facelifts can be carried out at any time of the year, the important thing is to choose a time of year when you can recover calmly. It's important to realise that you won't be able to expose yourself directly to the sun for at least a month. If you're planning a beach holiday, it's more prudent to have the surgery in the autumn or winter months.

Depending on the type of facelift carried out, scars can be located against the ear, the hairline or both. If they are located in transition zones, the scars are easy to disguise. With the passage of time, they become thinner and lighter and harder to identify. During the first three months, they tend to become redder and more sensitive. It's important to follow your doctor's recommendations to speed up the healing process and achieve more discreet scars. After the first three months, the scar will improve in appearance and the final result should be achieved 12 to 18 months after surgery.

We can say that the results of a facelift are definitive, i.e. they don't require periodic maintenance, as is the case with fillers, for example, which last for 9/12 months and you have to repeat the treatment to maintain the result. However, it's important to note that there are no surgeries that guarantee results for life or that stop the natural ageing process. After a facelift, your skin will continue to age naturally and, after a few years, you may notice that your skin is sagging again. However, if you hadn't had the facelift, this sagging would be more pronounced. On average, a facelift patient is satisfied with the result for at least 10 to 15 years.

All surgical and anaesthetic procedures are associated with a certain risk of complications. Although most patients don't suffer complications, you should talk to your plastic surgeon to make sure you understand all the risks and potential complications of the facelift. Some facelift risks include: Reaction to anaesthesia, infection, haematoma or seroma, bleeding, changes in skin sensitivity, unsightly or delayed healing, asymmetry, sensation of numbness and allergic reactions.

Having financing options to help patients manage the cost of surgery is often a crucial factor when choosing a plastic surgeon and a facelift clinic. At LMR, we have payment facilities to make it easier to pay for a facelift. Patients should be aware of the payment policies and requirements associated with these options at their initial consultation so that they can make informed decisions about financing their facelift. For more information on payment facilities, please contact us using the contact form or by email - geral@lmrcirurgiaplastica.pt.