Cervico-facial lift
The strong points
- We do not modify your features during our facelifts for a perfectly natural result
- We perform our facelifts most often under local anesthesia with deep sedation in outpatient surgery.
- It is a painless surgery requiring a social eviction time of 3 to 5 days.
- If necessary, we perform mini-lifts with short scars.
- The price of our cervico-facial lifts vary from 5500 to 9000 euros depending on the difficulty of the case.
Description of the face and neck lift (cervico-facial)
The purpose of the procedure is to tighten the skin and muscles of the face and neck (double plane lift). For this, an incision is made in the hair and around the ear. For people under 50 years of age, the scars can be limited to the hair and do not concern the portion in front of the ear (mini-facelifts without visible scars).
The skin muscles of the neck (responsible for the dewlap) are fixed backwards in order to redraw the angle between the neck and the jaw.
The excess skin is removed and the skin sutures are made to be as discreet as possible.
At the end of the operation, associated procedures can be performed (eyelids, injection of purified fat)
Neck and face lift in practice
The procedure is most often performed under neuroleptanalgesia (local anesthesia deepened by painkillers administered intravenously) but can be considered under general anesthesia if you wish. This requires a pre-anesthetic consultation at least 48 hours before the procedure. A cardiological consultation may be requested before the procedure if you have a particular history of high blood pressure.
In most cases, the hospitalization time is one day (entry at 8 am and exit at 7 pm the same evening). You can also spend one night in a clinic for comfort reasons.
A neck lift is not painful but a more or less important facial edema is present for 3 to 7 days. After the surgery, we recommend that you have 2 to 4 sessions of facial lymphatic drainage with a specialized physiotherapist to limit this phenomenon.
The specificities of our cervico-facial lifts
We systematically perform a Botox injection session 15 days before the surgery in order to relax the muscles of your face and thus regulate their tension more precisely during the facelift.
We favor the realization of numerous gestures but carried out without excess in order to obtain the most natural result possible.
It is a simple, painless surgery that gives excellent results when carefully planned.
Everything you need to know about facelift - cervico-facial lift
A face lift is a common cosmetic surgery procedure. Its objective is to give a more youthful appearance to the face. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon will treat the sagging skin of the facial oval. He or she will "tighten the skin" to smooth the skin folds in the cheeks and jawline.
During a face lift, a flap of skin on each side of the face is pulled back. The tissues under the skin are tightened and excess skin is removed. The main effect of this technique is to rejuvenate the face.
In most cases, a neck lift is combined with a face lift. It will harmonize the result by giving a younger appearance to the neck. During a neck lift, excess fat and skin are removed. When a face lift and a neck lift are combined, it is called a cervicofacial lift.
A facelift does not correct the damage caused by sun exposure, such as wrinkles and fine lines. For this, you can resort to cosmetic medicine, including dermal filler injections.
1. Everything you need to know about facelift - cervico-facial lift
The appearance and shape of the face changes with age. The skin becomes looser and fat is no longer distributed in the same way.
A facelift can impact various age-related changes, including:
Sagging cheeks;
Excess skin on the lower jaw;
Nasolabial folds: deep skin folds on the sides of the nose and at the corner of the mouth;
Sagging neck skin and excess fat in the neck (if the procedure includes a neck lift)
A facelift is not a treatment designed to erase fine wrinkles or folds around the nose and upper lip. To reduce wrinkles on the face, you can resort to aesthetic medicine and botulinum toxin and/or hyaluronic acid injections.
2. How to prepare for a neck and face lift?
Preoperative Consultation:
First, you will need to make an appointment for an initial consultation.
During this session, you will discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon. The pre-operative consultation also includes:
Medical history analysis and review of your current and past health status;
Review of current medications;
Facial examination: photos of your face from different angles and close-ups of certain features. The surgeon examines bone structure, facial shape, fat distribution and skin quality. This examination helps determine the best options for your facelift surgery.
Before a face lift:
Follow your surgeon's recommendations:
Stop certain blood-thinning medications or supplements at least two weeks before the operation. Stop smoking at least one month before the operation.
Wash your face and hair with a germicidal soap the morning of the operation.
Avoid eating after midnight the night before your facelift. You will be able to drink water and take medication approved by your surgeon.
Plan for recovery assistance: If your facelift is an outpatient procedure (same-day discharge), plan to have someone drive you home after the surgery. You'll also need help the first night after surgery and perhaps for a few days afterward.
If the operation is performed under general anesthesia, you will need to make an appointment with your anesthesiologist before the procedure.
During the procedure:
A face lift is performed under local or general anesthesia. It lasts between 2h30 and 5h depending on the complexity of the procedure.
In general, a facelift involves tightening the skin and muscles of the face and neck. Fat in the cheeks and neck may be sculpted, removed or relocated to harmonize the result. The facial skin is then redraped to the new facial contours.
The excess skin is removed and the wound is closed with stitches.
The location of the incisions, and therefore the scars, depends on the techniques used and the patient's preferences:
Traditional face lift: the scar extends from the hairline downward and around the front of the ears. It ends behind the ears, in the lower part of the scalp. An incision under the chin can improve the harmony between the face and the neck.
A limited, shorter incision that begins in the hairline, just above the ear. It surrounds the front of the ear, but does not extend to the lower part of the scalp.
The incision for the neck lift begins in front of the earlobe. It continues around the ear to the lower part of the scalp. A small incision is made under the chin.
Dr. Berdah and Dr. Benjoar also practice a recent facelift technique, the "no scar facelift" or "NoVi Lift".
After the procedure:
After a facelift, you may observe:
Mild aches and pains;
Swelling;
Bruises;
A numbness.
Like many prospective patients, you're probably wondering how long it takes to deflate after a facelift? It all depends on your face and your ability to heal. On average, it takes between 15 days and 3 months.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
Severe pain on one side of the face or neck within 24 hours of surgery;
Chest pain;
Irregular heartbeat.
The incisions will probably be covered with bandages. The bandages apply gentle pressure to minimize swelling and bruising. A small tube may be placed under the skin behind the ears to drain excess blood or fluid.
In the first few days after surgery:
Rest with your head elevated;
Take pain medication;
Apply cold compresses to your face to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Testimonials after neck lift:
A big THANK YOU to Dr Berdah, the result is amazing and extra .... I no longer have any jowls, bitterness or sadness folds ... Many thanks to the whole team!
I highly recommend Dr. Berdah and Dr. Benjoar for the neck lift, the result is very natural and the scars hidden in the hair are invisible. Thanks also to Jennifer, their assistant, for her gentleness and patience.
Follow-up appointment:
Several postoperative follow-up appointments are scheduled during the two months following the operation:
The day after the operation: the surgeon removes the drainage tube, applies antibiotic ointment to the incisions and places new dressings.
One week after the operation: removal of stitches and evaluation of the wound.
In the coming months: one or two appointments to check the tension of the skin, the disappearance of the swelling and the progress of the healing.
3. What results can I expect from a face lift?
A facelift can give your face and neck a more youthful appearance.
It is important to note, however, that the results of a facelift are not permanent. As we age, the skin on the face may begin to sag again. In general, the effects of a facelift last about 10 years.
4. Cervico-facial lift price and reimbursement
A facelift performed in France by a good surgeon costs between 9000 € and 12 000 €.
The NoVi Lift with invisible scars is slightly more expensive, between 10 000 € and 13 000 €.
The cervico-facial lift is a plastic surgery operation, whose purpose is purely aesthetic. It is therefore not covered by Social Security.
Questions / Answers
What is the ideal age for a neck lift?
There is no ideal age because everything depends on the quality of the patient's tissues. Nevertheless, the most satisfactory results are obtained between the ages of 45 and 65. It seems unnecessary to us to perform a neck and face lift before the age of 40, except in exceptional cases (massive weight loss after gastric banding, for example). Current methods of aesthetic medicine make it possible to delay a facelift, but it is necessary to know how to proceed with surgery when the sagging of the face is established.
Are there any alternatives to the cervico-facial lift?
Yes and no. In moderate facial ptosis (drooping of the tissues), small "cheating" procedures can bring a satisfactory result. For example, hyaluronic acid can be injected in the lower part of the bitterness fold in front of the jowls in order to redefine the oval of the face. A hollowing of the cheekbones (valley of tears) can be improved by an injection of Radiesse. However, these injections, especially if they are repeated, tend to make the face look heavier and give it a "pillow-look". Facelift remains the reference treatment for sagging of the face and neck.
What are the complications of a neck lift?
The main complication of a face and neck lift is the hematoma, which is a blood clot that forms on the evening of the operation.
It is prevented by maintaining a stable blood pressure before, during and after the surgery. The rate of hematoma is significantly reduced by using local anesthesia with deep sedation.
The sensitivity of the pinna may be transiently decreased.
Finally, skin necrosis (especially in patients who smoke) and facial muscle paralysis may be observed in exceptional cases.
These complications are rare and usually do not leave any sequelae if properly managed.
On the other hand, the post-operative swelling is quite important and leads to a social eviction which varies between 3 and 7 days.
When can I resume my social life after a facelift?
Post-operative facial swelling can be impressive for the first 3 days.
One can usually go out with a scarf and sunglasses on the 5th day.
An almost normal social life can be envisaged between the 7th and 10th day if the postoperative instructions have been respected.
What are the treatments after a cervico-facial lift?
A gentle shampoo is performed the day after the operation and can be repeated every day. Scar care is simple and consists of a simple disinfection. The stitches in front of the ear are removed between the 7th and 10th day. The staples placed in the hair are removed on the 15th day.
It is important to sleep with your head elevated by 2 pillows the week following the operation.
A cervical compression girdle or "Press-Lift" can be worn during the day.
We systematically prescribe 2 to 4 sessions of facial lymphatic drainage with a specialized physiotherapist.
Color and perms can be considered 4 weeks after the procedure.
How much does a facelift cost?
A simple Cervical-Facial Lift costs from 5500 to 7000 €. With associated procedures (lipofilling, eyelids, chin implant), the total price can go up to 9000 €. A budget of 200 to 400 € is required for post-operative lymphatic drainage sessions.
Before and after photos of a face and neck lift (cervico-facial)
Have a question? Please contact us!
The firm
Docteur Yaël Berdah and Docteur Marc-David Benjoar
Plastic surgeons in Paris France