Facelift in San Antonio, TX

Name: Facelift
Brand: Hill Country Plastic Surgery
Rating: 4.9 (129 reviews)

While some people age gracefully, others don’t appreciate how aging takes a toll on their appearance. Fine lines and wrinkles can make someone look tired or unhappy, and sagging skin can make them look older than they really are. A facelift in San Antonio is a surgical procedure that can help to rejuvenate the face by tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Remove wrinkles, jowls, and sagging with a Facelift

Signs of aging most often appear first on the face. Midface sagging, marionette lines, jowls, and a double chin can all make you look older. A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is the most comprehensive and definitive way of treating wrinkles and facial sagging associated with aging and is performed regularly by the plastic surgeons at Hill Country Plastic Surgery. This is considered the gold standard in the treatment of facial aging.

Facelift Menu:

Before & After Facelift

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Our Approach and Expertise in Facelift Surgery

Our approach to facelift surgery is both meticulous and personalized. We use advanced medications and techniques designed to minimize bruising and swelling, making your recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible. With precise suturing methods, facelift scars are virtually imperceptible. We carefully address all aspects of facial aging, including skin laxity and volume loss, to deliver natural, balanced, and long-lasting results using the newest and safest surgical techniques.

Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon for your facelift is crucial. With Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah, you can feel confident knowing you are in skilled hands. Their extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and proven expertise ensure that your facelift will enhance your features safely while achieving the dramatic, rejuvenating results you desire. Their commitment to personalized care means your procedure is tailored specifically to your unique facial structure and aesthetic goals.

Before & After Facelift in San Antonio

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Video: "Do I need a Facelift?"

What makes me a good candidate for a Facelift?

Sagging skin in your midface, jawline, and/or neck
Pronounced nasolabial folds, which are creases that run from your nose to the corner of your mouth

Loss or drooping of facial volume (particularly in the cheeks)
Sagging, crepey skin of the neck area
Jowls, the sagging of volume in the lower face along the jawline
A double chin (a result of loose skin and extra fat along the jawline and chin)
Marionette lines, which are creases extending from the corner of your mouth to your chin

Mini Facelift or a Full Facelift?

A mini facelift in San Antonio is a less invasive surgical option than a full facelift that is designed to address sagging skin on the lower face and jowls. By using smaller incisions, a mini facelift tightens and raises the tissues of the jawline and lower face. Depending on your needs, it can sometimes be performed under light sedation and local anesthesia.

Mini Facelift

Targets mild sagging in the lower face and jawline
Less invasive with shorter incisions
Typically performed under local anesthesia with light sedation
Requires 7 to 14 days of recovery
More affordable than a full facelift
Delivers subtle, natural-looking rejuvenation

Full Facelift

Addresses advanced aging in the face and neck
Involves deeper tissue tightening and skin removal
Performed under general anesthesia or deeper sedation
Recovery time is usually 2 weeks or more
Produces more dramatic, long-lasting results
Ideal for patients with significant skin laxity or neck sagging

If the area bothering you is your neck, then a neck lift or mini facelift would be a better choice. Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah will review all treatment options and create a surgical plan tailored specifically for you.

Begin your journey.

Schedule Consultation Today

What to expect at my Consultation?

Prior to your consultation, we recommend that you review the procedures on our website so you are familiar with the terms we will be using during our discussion. During your initial consultation with your surgeon at Hill Country Plastic Surgery:

We will discuss your concerns and goals before recommending treatment options that are tailored specifically to your needs.
Once we identify your concerns and surgical goals, we will discuss all treatment options that are available to you.
Every patient is unique, and we will develop a tailored surgical plan that addresses your specific goals.
In addition, we will thoroughly review your medical history, surgical history, medications, allergies, family medical history, and other important details such as your family breast cancer history.
It is very important that we obtain accurate information in all areas, as it may impact the outcome of your surgery.
If you have any prior breast imaging, please send it to the office prior to your appointment.
While discussing different treatment options, we will perform a physical exam and take measurements that are necessary for planning for your surgery.
Pre-operative (before surgery) photos will be taken either at your initial consultation or during your pre-operative visit.

Following Your Consultation

You will receive access to your notes on the patient portal in addition to information about your specific surgery. If you have not activated your patient portal, you can do so at your appointment by asking any of our staff to assist you.
If you have questions after your appointment, you can contact our office or message us through the patient portal. Some patients will require medical clearance from their primary care physician or a specialist, or additional tests before undergoing surgery.
Once you have determined that you would like to have surgery and have completed any clearances and tests that were requested, contact our office at (210) 658-3555 to schedule a pre-operative appointment with one of our surgeons.

How is a Facelift performed?

Both Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah work with each of their patients to create a customized treatment plan that will allow the achievement of the best results. The goal of a facelift is to tighten the underlying tissue but not overtighten the skin, leading to beautiful, natural-looking results and avoiding the “pulled” look. A facelift will have a lasting, powerful effect on the contour of the neck and jawline, restoring your appearance to that of 10-15 years younger.

For a full facelift, the incision is placed behind the hairline and in the natural crease around and behind the ear. For a mini facelift, the incisions are more limited and are behind the ear with some extension into the crease under the ear, depending on how much skin needs to be removed.
For a lower facelift and neck lift, the incisions start behind the ear, backward along the hairline, and may extend in the natural crease in front of the ear as necessary to remove the skin. These incisions allow your plastic surgeon to remove any excess skin and fat, as well as to strategically reposition facial tissues to restore youthful volume. The remaining skin is lifted and sutured in place over the restored contour for a firmer facial appearance, redefining the jawline and reducing wrinkles and sagging.

Facelift Recovery

Recovery after a facelift is typically smooth and well-tolerated. Most patients experience minimal pain, swelling, and bruising. A post-operative compression garment is worn for two weeks to support healing and minimize swelling. To help reduce swelling and promote circulation, patients are encouraged to apply cold compresses as directed and keep their head elevated, especially while sleeping.

Within about a week, many patients feel comfortable returning to public settings, and normal activities can usually resume after one month.

Dr. Farber & Dr. Shah ensure attentive post-operative care, with follow-up appointments scheduled the day after surgery, one week later, and at regular intervals for up to a year to monitor your healing and results.

Our patients consistently share how thrilled they are with their refreshed, youthful appearance. Many feel more vibrant and confident, enjoying a boost in both their personal and social lives. They often tell us their facelift was one of the best decisions they’ve made, not just for how they look, but for how they feel.

Enhancing Your Facelift Further

Many patients choose to complement their facelift with additional procedures to achieve more balanced, youthful results. These enhancements can address areas not fully treated by a facelift alone, such as volume loss, skin texture, or fine lines, creating a more harmonious and refreshed overall appearance.

Fat Transfer: Restores volume to the cheeks, jawline, or under-eyes using your own fat for natural results.
Neck & Jawline Liposuction : Removes unwanted fat for sharper, more defined facial contours.
Dermal Fillers : Add subtle volume to areas like the lips or nasolabial folds for balanced facial harmony.
Botox® or Dysport®: Softens dynamic wrinkles, such as crow’s feet or forehead lines, to complement surgical results.

blond woman with blue gloves holding a mirror and smiling

Limitations, risks, complications

Risks of the procedure include risks of anesthesia, bleeding, infection, fluid collections, opening of the incision, widened scarring, numbness on the abdominal wall, skin discoloration, recurrent looseness of skin, deep fat may die (fat necrosis), deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications, asymmetry, need for revisions, persistent pain.

The surgeon may adjust any of the above guidelines and instructions based on the patient and the type of surgery performed.

View Our Pre & Post-Op Instructions

Why Choose Hill Country Plastic Surgery?

At Hill Country Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, our dual-surgeon approach provides an unparalleled level of expertise, precision, and safety for complex cosmetic procedures. With over 35 years of combined experience, Dr. Shah and Dr. Farber have worked together for more than six years, delivering exceptional, natural-looking results through a collaborative surgical method.

The Dual-Surgeon Advantage enhances every aspect of your procedure, especially for patients considering multiple or complex surgeries. By combining their expertise—refined through challenging cancer and trauma microsurgical reconstructive cases—they offer:

Enhanced expertise and skill
Improved precision and safety
Reduced surgery time
Better post-operative care and recovery
Increased patient confidence and peace of mind

When you choose Hill Country Plastic Surgery, you receive innovative techniques, compassionate care, and the combined skill of two highly accomplished surgeons, ensuring a safer, more efficient, and ultimately superior surgical experience.

Meet Our Experts

Dr. Farber

A skilled plastic surgeon and dedicated Naval officer, Dr. Farber actively assists wounded warriors while advancing medical science through his research. With over 30 peer-reviewed articles, he has contributed extensively to the field. Additionally, he served as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas, shaping the next generation of surgeons with his expertise.

Dr. Shah

Dr. Shah is double-board certified and combines her clinical skill with a background in biomedical engineering. She is an adjunct professor in the BioMedical Engineering PhD program at UTSA and an active faculty member at UT Health San Antonio. She also pioneered the pediatric burn reconstruction program at UT Health, continuing her impactful work with young burn survivors at University Hospital.

What is the cost of a facelift?

A facelift procedure starts at $9,300, but individual considerations influence the ultimate cost. Your precise price will be determined during your consultation.

Facelift FAQs

What level of discomfort should I expect after my facelift?
What is the expected recovery after a facelift in San Antonio?
Is the recovery for a facelift the same for everyone?
What to do if you have had a facelift but are not happy with it?
How long do facelift results last?
What are the risks associated with a facelift?
Will I have visible scars after a facelift?
What if I want facial rejuvenation, but I am not yet ready for a facelift?
How long does a facelift procedure take?
When can I return to work after a facelift?
What can I do to maintain facelift results?

What level of discomfort should I expect after my facelift?

Most of our patients experience little to no pain the day after surgery. In the operating room, they receive a local anesthetic that helps control pain during the day of surgery. We provide specialized aftercare instructions to reduce swelling and discomfort. Our team will also recommend supplements to help reduce swelling and bruising after surgery.

What is the expected recovery after a facelift in San Antonio?

Recovery time after a facelift is about 2 weeks. During the first week, patients may experience some swelling and bruising. During the second week, patients may begin to go out in public. After the second week, patients may resume typical day-to-day activities. Our two-week protocol optimizes the recovery period, making recovery last about the same length as for most nonsurgical options!

Is the recovery for a facelift the same for everyone?

It is important to note that recovery time varies from patient to patient, depending on medical conditions, extent of surgery, and other factors. After a facelift, patients are advised to keep their head elevated while sleeping, apply a cold compress when needed, and avoid exercise and other strenuous activity.

What to do if you have had a facelift but are not happy with it?

Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah can also perform a revision facelift and/or neck lift to address issues you may be experiencing from a previous procedure. They generally collaborate with patients seeking revisions a year or longer after their initial surgery.

How long do facelift results last?

Facelift results typically last 10-15 years, depending on factors like age, skin type, and lifestyle.

What are the risks associated with a facelift?

Common risks include swelling, bruising, scarring, or infection, but complications are rare.

Will I have visible scars after a facelift?

Scars are typically minimal and hidden in natural folds, hairlines, or behind the ears.

What if I want facial rejuvenation, but I am not yet ready for a facelift?

Some patients are not ready for surgery and prefer nonsurgical treatments, such as dermal fillers, tightening radiofrequency, and BOTOX®, which provide a shorter-term, less dramatic rejuvenation. With these non-invasive options, you can expect to achieve about 30 percent of what you would get with a facelift.

How long does a facelift procedure take?

A facelift usually takes 3-6 hours, depending on the extent of the surgery and if other procedures are being combined with it.

When can I return to work after a facelift?

Most patients can return to work within 2-3 weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure and their recovery.

What can I do to maintain facelift results?

Protect your skin from the sun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and consider non-surgical treatment options to help prolong results.

Ready to look years younger with a Facelift? Meet with us.

Are you interested in learning more about this procedure? To schedule a consultation, please contact us. Hill Country Plastic Surgery is the premier plastic surgery center in the San Antonio area, and our friendly team members are here to help you and will reach out promptly.