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Facelift Surgery in San Antonio, TX

Turn Back the Clock with Double-Board-Certified Surgical Expertise

While aging is natural, loss of skin elasticity, facial volume depletion, and sagging tissue can make you look tired or older than you feel. A facelift (rhytidectomy) is the gold-standard surgical procedure to restore crisp, youthful contours to your face, jawline, and neck.

At Hill Country Plastic Surgery, board-certified surgeons Dr. Scott Farber and Dr. Amita Shah combine over 35 years of dedicated surgical experience. Utilizing advanced facial rejuvenation techniques tailored to your unique anatomical structure, our surgeons maximize precision and prioritize patient safety to deliver natural, long-lasting rejuvenation without an artificial or "pulled" appearance.

What is a Facelift (Rhytidectomy)?

A modern facelift isn't just about pulling skin tight, which creates an unnatural, "windblown" look. True facial rejuvenation requires lifting the underlying structural foundation, the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System).

By repositioning the deeper muscle tissue and restoring drooping fat pads, your surgeon recreates the youthful "heart-shaped" facial balance of your 30s and 40s. Excess skin is then trimmed with zero tension on the incision lines, keeping scars virtually invisible.

San Antonio Facelift at a Glance

Below is a quick overview of key details for facelift surgery at Hill Country Plastic Surgery, including expected surgical time, recovery expectations, and pricing.

Procedure Overview Details
Surgical Time 2 to 4 hours (depending on mini vs. full technique)
Anesthesia General anesthesia or local with deep sedation
Downtime & Recovery 1 to 2 weeks for social activities; normal routine in 4 weeks
Primary Target Areas Midface sagging, marionette lines, jowls, double chin, and neck laxity
Incision Placement Concealed along the natural hairline and ear contours
Starting Cost Starts at $9,300 (exact quote provided during consultation)

What a Facelift Corrects

  • Loss of Jawline Definition: Tightens sagging jowls along the jaw and lower cheeks.
  • Deep Creases & Folds: Smooths pronounced nasolabial folds and marionette lines around the mouth.
  • Midface Drooping: Lifts fallen cheek volume back onto the high cheekbones.
  • Neck Laxity: Firmly reshapes loose skin and excess fatty tissue under the chin.
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Before & After Facelift in San Antonio

Video: "Do I need a Facelift?"

Join board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah as they break down everything you need to know about facelifts, from aging mechanics and candidacy to surgical techniques and recovery. Discover how a facelift restores lost volume and contour, plus essential tips to maintain your results for years to come.

Dr. Shah and Dr. Farber discusses a facelift
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I had melanoma on my nose, and Dr. Farber was my plastic [surgeon] after the cancer was removed. I can’t say enough about Dr. Farber. He is fantastic, did a wonderful job on my face, and I would highly recommend him.
The office staff is amazing, they are very professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable, and stay on top of things when it comes to their patients. Thank you all for being there for me and Dr. Farber, you're the greatest.

real patient DT

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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

Types of Facelift Procedures we Offer: Mini Facelift or a Full Facelift?

A mini facelift in San Antonio is a less invasive surgical option than a full facelift, designed to address sagging skin on the lower face and jowls. Using smaller incisions, a mini facelift tightens and lifts 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

Mini Facelift in San Antonio, TX: Rejuvenation with Minimal Downtime

Often referred to as a "weekend facelift," a mini facelift is designed for patients who want noticeable, natural-looking improvement in their lower face without committing to the longer recovery of a traditional rhytidectomy.

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What is the cost of a Facelift in San Antonio? 

A facelift procedure starts at around $18,000, but individual factors influence the final cost. Your precise price will be determined during your consultation.

What to Expect: Your Facelift Surgical Journey

Private Consultation

Your journey begins with an in-depth, one-on-one evaluation with Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah. During this visit, we:

  • Analyze Facial Anatomy: Evaluate your unique facial bone structure, skin elasticity, and muscle laxity to determine if a full SMAS, lower, or mini facelift will best achieve your goals.
  • Review Medical Profile: Thoroughly review your medical history, current medications, and past procedures to ensure optimal safety and seamless surgical planning.
  • Customized Surgical Strategy: Establish a tailored surgical plan designed to restore facial volume and jawline definition by 10 to 15 years while avoiding a "pulled" or artificial look.
  • Transparent Pricing & Clearance: Provide an itemized cost breakdown with no hidden fees and issue any necessary medical clearance instructions.

Surgery Day & Surgical Execution

Performed in a fully accredited surgical facility, your procedure is executed with meticulous care under board-certified anesthesia.

  • Precision Incisions: Placed strategically within the natural hairline and behind ear contours so scars heal discreetly and remain virtually imperceptible.
  • Deep Plane & Tissue Elevation: Your surgeon operates beneath the SMAS layer to release deep facial ligaments, lifting the underlying facial muscle, midface fat, and jawline together as a single, natural unit.
  • Stress-Free Redraping & Suturing: Because structural support is built deep within the facial layers, excess skin is gently redraped over your refreshed contours with zero tension, completely avoiding a "pulled" look and ensuring fine, discreet recovery.
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Facelift Recovery Timeline

Our advanced surgical techniques prioritize gentle tissue handling to minimize surgical trauma, reducing postoperative swelling and bruising. While individual healing varies, here is your step-by-step roadmap for facelift recovery in San Antonio:

Days 1–2: Rest & Initial Healing

  • First Post-Op Visit: You will meet with your surgeon the day after surgery to check incisions and healing.
  • Compression Garment: Wear your supportive head garment continuously to control fluid retention.
  • Elevate & Rest: Keep your head elevated at all times—including while sleeping—and apply cold compresses.
  • Activity: Rest at home with light indoor walking to promote blood circulation.

Days 3–7: Swelling Peak & Suture Removal

  • Swelling Resolution: Facial swelling and minor bruising peak around Day 3 before steadily declining.
  • Suture Removal: At your 1-week follow-up appointment, your surgeon will evaluate your progress and remove skin sutures.
  • Activity: Low activity. Avoid bending over, straining, or lifting items over 5 lbs.

Days 8–14: Return to Work & Social Readiness

  • Back to Work: Most patients feel comfortable returning to desk jobs, running errands, and social outings.
  • Concealing Bruising: Any residual minor bruising is easily covered with light makeup.
  • Garment Transition: Compression garment use is typically reduced to night-use only.

Weeks 3–4: Resuming Active Routines

  • Final Contours Emerge: Over 80% of surgical swelling has resolved, revealing your restored jawline and neck contours.
  • Incision Fading: Incision lines behind the ears and hairline soften, flatten, and begin fading significantly.
  • Activity: Resume light cardio and regular daily routines. Avoid heavy weightlifting (>15 lbs) or high-impact exercise.

Months 1–3: Complete Refinement

  • Final Results: Final structural results settle fully with smooth, natural contours and no "pulled" look.
  • Full Activity: Return to unrestricted workouts, heavy lifting, and intense physical activity.
  • Long-Term Monitoring: Regular follow-up appointments ensure your results heal cleanly and maintain their longevity.

Complementary Procedures: Enhancing Your Facelift Results

While a facelift addresses sagging tissue in the lower two-thirds of the face and jawline, aging often affects the eyes, forehead, and skin texture simultaneously. Combining surgical or non-surgical treatments during your facelift achieves a more balanced, harmonious, and overall refreshed appearance with a single recovery period.

Popular Facial Rejuvenation Pairings

Neck Lift (Submentoplasty): Tightens loose neck skin ("turkey neck") and underlying platysma muscle bands to create a sharp, defined 90-degree jawline angle.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Removes droopy upper eyelid skin and under-eye bags to open up tired-looking eyes alongside your facial lift.

Neck & Jawline Liposuction: Sculpting unwanted submental fat under the chin and jaw for crisp, contoured profile definition.

Botox® & Dysport® Injectables: Relaxes dynamic expression lines around the forehead, glabella (frown lines), and crow's feet for complete upper-face smoothing.

Dr. Shah and Dr. Farber

Why Choose Hill Country Plastic Surgery for a Facelift?

At Hill Country Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, our practice offers exceptional expertise, precision, and patient-centered care for complex cosmetic procedures. With over 35 years of combined experience, Dr. Scott Farber and Dr. Amita Shah deliver personalized, natural-looking results rooted in rigorous surgical training and a deep understanding of facial anatomy.

Their refined aesthetic approach is backed by extensive backgrounds in complex cancer and trauma reconstructive surgery. Whether you are seeking subtle lower-face refinement or comprehensive facial rejuvenation, choosing Hill Country Plastic Surgery offers clear advantages:

  • Double-Board-Certified Expertise: Your care is guided by elite, board-certified plastic surgeons dedicated to the highest standards of safety, ethics, and aesthetic excellence.
  • Meticulous SMAS & Deep-Tissue Precision: By focusing on deep structural lifting rather than pulling the skin, our surgeons ensure proper facial symmetry, discrete incision placement, and natural vector lifting across the face, jawline, and neck.
  • Refined, Un-Pulled Outcomes: A commitment to customized surgical planning prevents an overly tight or artificial appearance, leaving you with refreshed, balanced contours that age gracefully.
  • Uncompromising Patient Safety & Care: From your initial private consultation through your full recovery, every step of your surgical journey is carefully monitored in accredited facilities to maximize safety and peace of mind.

When you choose Hill Country Plastic Surgery, you receive innovative surgical techniques, compassionate care, and the mastery of top-tier San Antonio plastic surgeons dedicated to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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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.

Facelift FAQs

What level of pain or discomfort should I expect after a facelift?

Most patients report minimal discomfort following surgery. During the procedure, long-acting local anesthetics are administered to keep you comfortable through the initial recovery hours. We provide personalized post-operative care plans, including specialized supplements and gentle head elevation techniques, to effectively manage swelling and control post-op tightness.

What is the expected facelift recovery timeline in San Antonio?

Most patients return to social activities, desk jobs, and public outings within 10 to 14 days. Mild swelling and bruising peak around Day 3 before steadily subsiding. By Week 2, residual bruising can be easily concealed with light makeup, and full unrestricted physical activity can typically be resumed by Weeks 4 to 6.

How long do facelift surgery results last?

Facelift results typically turn back the clock by 10 to 15 years. While surgery cannot stop the natural aging process, repositioning the deeper SMAS muscle layer ensures long-lasting, natural contours that continue to age gracefully over time.

Will I have visible scars after facelift surgery?

Incisions are meticulously placed within the natural hairline and hidden creases around and behind the ear. Once fully healed, facelift scars soften and fade, becoming virtually imperceptible.

What are the risks associated with facelift surgery?

While complications are rare, inherent surgical risks include temporary numbness, minor swelling, bruising, hematoma, or delayed incision healing. Having two board-certified plastic surgeons collaborate on your surgery shortens operative times and lowers anesthesia-related risks to maximize patient safety.

Can I fix or improve results from a previous facelift elsewhere?

Yes. Dr. Farber and Dr. Shah specialize in revision facelift and neck lift procedures to correct unnatural results, persistent sagging, or visible scarring from previous surgeries performed elsewhere. Revisions are typically evaluated at least 12 months following the initial procedure.

What are non-surgical alternatives if I am not ready for a facelift?

Patients seeking mild facial rejuvenation without surgery can explore medical-grade options like radiofrequency skin tightening, dermal fillers, or Botox®. While non-surgical treatments typically achieve about 20% to 30% of the structural correction offered by a surgical facelift, they provide an excellent temporary alternative for early signs of aging.

How can I maintain my facelift results over time?

To protect your investment, maintain a consistent medical-grade skin care routine, wear broad-spectrum daily sun protection, maintain a stable weight, and consider periodic non-surgical maintenance treatments like lasers or neuromodulators.

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.

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Begin your journey.

Your journey to a happier, more confident life starts with a private, in-depth consultation with your surgeon, where we learn about you and your vision and goals. Discover San Antonio’s premier clinic for plastic surgery.

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Experience expert  Face, Tummy Tucks, Mommy Makeovers, C Scar Revisions, and Breast procedures in San Antonio with trusted San Antonio plastic surgeons. Dr. Scott Farber and Dr. Amita Shah, renowned for their skill and dedication to personalized care.

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