Facial Surgery
Facelift Surgery in Melbourne
Dr Rodrigo Teixeira FRACS, Specialist Plastic Surgeon
A facelift (rhytidectomy) repositions tissues of the face and neck that have descended over time. Dr Rodrigo Teixeira plans each facelift around the person’s facial anatomy. Depending on the plan, a facelift may soften jowls and deeper folds, redefine the jawline, improve the neck and remove excess skin. The aim is a refreshed appearance that keeps natural movement and expression.
Suitability
Why a Facelift May Be Considered
A facelift (rhytidectomy) may be considered when changes in facial shape and contour become more noticeable and feel less aligned with a person’s self-image. This is often experienced as the face appearing heavier, lower, or less supported overall, rather than a single line or a purely surface-level skin concern.
The reasons for these changes differ between individuals. In some cases, deeper facial tissues shift over time; in others, the main issues are skin laxity, changes in facial volume, or a combination. Identifying what is contributing most helps guide a personalised plan that addresses support and contour within appropriate safety parameters.
Concerns Addressed by Facelift Surgery
Many aesthetic concerns are surface expressions of deeper anatomy. Bone provides the structural frame, muscles create the movement, and soft tissue shapes facial contour and expression. Each layer may contribute independently or in combination, which is why facial rejuvenation begins with anatomical diagnosis rather than treating a concern in isolation.
Not all faces age in the same way, and not every concern is caused by tissue descent alone. Structural support, muscle activity, fat distribution, skin quality, and facial balance all need to be assessed before deciding whether facelift surgery is appropriate, or whether a different or additional procedure may be considered.
Softening Deep Nasolabial Folds
Nasolabial creases can deepen as bony support and soft tissue volume change with age, while tissue descent may make the folds appear more prominent. Patients may also notice hollowing beneath the eyes, prominence at the fold, or a more shadowed appearance through the central face. In suitable patients, facelift surgery may improve these changes by repositioning deeper tissues rather than treating the fold as an isolated surface concern.
Refining the Jawline and Reducing Jowls
Jowls are a common lower-face ageing change caused by tissue descent along the jawline. This may contribute to marionette lines and shadowing, prejowl hollowing, and loss of a crisp mandibular line. Facelift surgery may help improve jawline definition by lifting and redraping deeper facial tissue.
Addressing Midface Volume Loss and Definition
Ageing may lead to reduced cheek projection and a flatter upper cheek contour. Some patients also notice loss of cheek highlight, or reduced support beneath the lower eyelid. In suitable patients, facelift surgery may improve this area by repositioning descended soft tissue, although some patients may also be assessed for volume-related treatment where appropriate.
Tightening Loosened Skin Beneath the Chin and Neck
Skin laxity beneath the chin and through the neck can make the profile appear less defined. Patients may also notice platysmal banding, submental fullness, or laxity along the anterior neck. Facelift surgery may improve this area through deeper support and repositioning, rather than skin excision alone.
Improving the Transition Between Face and Neck Contours
With age, the transition between the face and neck may become less distinct. This can present as blunting of the cervicomental angle, softening of the cervicofacial junction, or reduced definition in oblique and side views. Facelift surgery may help improve this junction by restoring support and creating a more defined contour between the face and neck.
Suitability
Who Is Facelift Surgery Suitable For?
Facelift surgery is generally considered for adults who have noticed established changes in facial shape, such as jowling, a softer jawline, deepening folds, or laxity through the neck, that are no longer well suited to non-surgical treatment. Age alone is not the deciding factor; the pattern and degree of change, skin quality, and general health matter more.
Suitability is assessed at consultation. It may be more appropriate to defer surgery or plan differently for people who smoke, who have medical conditions that affect healing or anaesthetic safety, whose expectations do not match what surgery can change, or who are going through a period of significant life stress. Some people are better served by a more limited procedure, by volume restoration alone, or by non-surgical care, and this is discussed openly.
A facelift does not stop the ageing process and does not, on its own, change skin texture, pigmentation or fine lines. Skin treatments may be suggested alongside surgery where relevant.
Our approach
Dr Teixeira's Approach to Facelift Surgery
Dr Rodrigo Teixeira approaches facelift surgery with an emphasis on restoring facial shape and balance in a way that suits each person’s features. Faces don’t age in the same way, and differences in skin quality, facial support, fat distribution, and underlying structure mean the plan needs to be individual. Consultation and planning look at the face as a whole, including how the cheeks, jawline, and neck relate to each other, and what changes are most important to address.
Facial ageing is rarely a simple “straight line” drop. Different areas tend to shift in slightly different directions, influenced by the natural support structures of the face. Planning aims to restore support in a controlled way so the result looks refreshed but still natural in expression. Important factors, such as skin quality, tissue thickness, and the legacy of previous treatments, are also considered so the areas treated and the extent of surgery are matched to what the tissues can safely support.
Techniques
Facelift Options and Techniques
There is no single facelift technique that suits every face. The most appropriate option depends on the pattern of change, anatomy, and what needs support versus refinement. The summaries below outline commonly used approaches and when they may be considered.
Mini facelift (short-scar facelift)
A mini facelift may be considered for selected patients with early lower-face ageing, where concerns are mainly along the jawline and jowls, and the neck is minimally affected. It uses shorter incisions than more extensive approaches and is designed for a focused improvement in lower-face contour and definition. Because its scope is narrower, correction is typically more limited than with a full facelift, and any softening of nasolabial folds can vary depending on whether the main driver is descent, volume change, or skin quality.
Dr Teixeira offers mini facelift surgery in Melbourne for patients whose changes are confined to the lower face. Recovery is usually shorter than after a full facelift, and the anaesthetic and hospital arrangements are confirmed at consultation. The trade-off between a shorter scar and a more limited correction is discussed candidly; some patients who enquire about a mini facelift are advised that a fuller approach, or a different procedure altogether, is more likely to meet their goals.
SMAS / High-SMAS facelift
SMAS-based techniques are established approaches that reposition deeper facial tissues to address jowling and loss of definition. In selected patients, they can also redistribute existing soft tissue to support contour through areas such as the cheeks and the preauricular/lateral face, depending on anatomy and the pattern of change.
Deep plane facelift
Deep plane approaches may be considered when deeper facial tissues have descended and support has reduced through the midface and lower face. In selected patients, releasing deeper attachments can allow improved tissue mobilisation and repositioning to support contour. Suitability depends on anatomy and the overall plan. Learn more about the deep plane facelift.
Endoscopic facelift / midface lift
Endoscopic approaches may be considered for selected patients with early changes through the upper face and midface, where a subtle lift and contour refinement is the goal. Small incisions are typically placed within the hairline to help keep them discreet. In some patients also presenting with early lower-face concerns, an endoscopic approach may be combined with a mini lift as part of an individualised plan. Learn more about the endoscopic facelift.
When the Neck Is the Main Concern
Not everyone ages through the neck in the same way. Some people maintain a defined neck as the face changes, while for others the neck becomes the main concern, often described as loose skin, visible banding, or fullness under the chin. Neck contouring can involve more than skin alone and may be influenced by deeper factors such as fat under the chin, platysma banding (the neck muscle), and in some patients, prominence of the submandibular glands beneath the jawline. Chin and jaw structure also affect what is achievable, and whether additional neck-focused steps may be needed to restore balanced contour and definition. Learn more about neck lift surgery.
Your journey
What to Expect From Your Consultation
During a facelift consultation, Dr Rodrigo Teixeira will assess suitability for surgery by reviewing medical history, discussing goals and priorities, and performing a photographic and anatomical assessment. The facial examination considers skin quality, tissue laxity, facial volume and support, jawline and neck anatomy, ageing pattern, and overall facial balance. The consultation includes discussion of treatment options (including when complementary procedures may be relevant), recovery expectations, potential risks, and limitations to support informed consent.
In line with Medical Board of Australia and Ahpra requirements for cosmetic surgery, two consultations are required before proceeding. Motivations for surgery are explored, and screening for psychological conditions (including Body Dysmorphic Disorder) is performed when appropriate. A GP referral is required, and a seven-day cooling-off period applies after the second consultation before surgery can be scheduled. For further details on preparing for your consultation, visit our patient information page.
Combining procedures
Combining Procedures
In some patients, facelift surgery may be combined with other procedures to address differences in ageing patterns across the face and neck. This is considered when a single procedure is unlikely to provide balanced improvement, or when additional support or contour refinement is needed in specific areas. The aim is a personalised treatment plan rather than adding procedures routinely.
Other related procedures that may be combined (depending on anatomy and goals) include:
- Neck lift – when neck laxity or submental fullness is a dominant concern.
- Facial fat transfer – when volume loss contributes to contour change.
- Brow lift – when upper-face descent affects overall balance.
Blepharoplasty – when eyelid changes are a key concern
Your journey
The Day of Surgery
Facelift surgery is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital, at Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne or Warringal Private Hospital in Heidelberg, with a specialist anaesthetist. Surgery usually takes four to six hours, and longer when procedures such as neck lift, facial fat transfer or eyelid surgery are combined in the same operation.
Patients stay in hospital overnight so that monitoring, pain relief and dressing checks on the first night are managed by nursing staff. Most people go home the following day with a support dressing in place and written instructions covering wound care, head elevation and when to contact the practice. Someone will need to drive you home and, ideally, stay with you for the first day or two. Follow-up appointments are scheduled in the days and weeks after surgery.
Aftercare
Recovery & Timeline
Recovery after facelift surgery varies and is influenced by the extent of surgery and individual healing. Many patients plan for around 2–3 weeks of social downtime, as swelling and bruising are usually most noticeable in the early phase. Swelling then continues to settle over the following weeks, while scars mature more gradually, often softening and fading over several months. Timelines can differ, and follow-up is used to guide a safe return to usual activities.
Early recovery (first week)
Head elevation is often recommended to help manage swelling. Depending on the surgical plan, dressings may be used and some patients may wear a support garment or neck dressing for a short time; drains are used in selected cases. Written aftercare instructions will outline what applies.
Returning to activity (general guide):
- Walking/light activity – usually encouraged early, as advised.
- Light cardio – often from around 2–3 weeks, depending on progress.
- Heavier lifting/gym – commonly reintroduced gradually from around 4–6 weeks.
Aftercare and Follow-up
Written instructions are provided before surgery, and follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing and progress. Contact details are provided so patients know how to reach the practice for routine questions and, if needed, urgent support during recovery.
Informed consent
Risks and Considerations
Like all surgical procedures, facelift surgery carries potential risks. These vary depending on individual anatomy, medical history, and the extent of surgery. Healing also differs between patients, so outcomes cannot be fully predicted and specific results cannot be guaranteed.
General surgical risks may include bleeding, infection, scarring, and risks related to anaesthesia. These are discussed during consultation, along with measures used to reduce risk.
Facelift-specific considerations can include swelling and bruising, temporary changes in sensation, asymmetry, visible scarring, and, less commonly, changes related to facial nerve function or contour irregularities.
When further treatment may be considered: In some cases, additional treatment may be discussed if concerns persist after healing. This may involve non-surgical management, minor revision procedures, or (less commonly) further surgery, depending on the nature of the concern and reassessment findings.
Following aftercare instructions and attending scheduled follow-up appointments is an important part of recovery, as early review can help identify concerns that may be managed promptly.
Our Melbourne Clinic
Unveil Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery is based in Ivanhoe East, Melbourne, around 10 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD. The clinic is designed to provide a calm, professional setting for surgical consultations and follow-up, with a consistent focus on clear communication and high clinical standards.
Unveil integrates surgical care with skin health support, which may be used to prepare the skin before surgery and support recovery afterwards, depending on individual needs and suitability. Optional adjuncts may include LED light therapy, skin-supportive topical regimens, lymphatic drainage massage (where appropriate), and advanced scar management once healing allows, which may include treatments such as laser and microneedling.
Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery
Before & After Gallery
Questions
Facelift Surgery FAQs
These terms describe different ways of repositioning facial tissues, and the right option depends on anatomy and the pattern of change. A mini facelift is more limited in extent and may suit early lower-face changes. SMAS-based techniques reposition the deeper facial layer to improve contour. Deep plane approaches release and move deeper tissues and may be considered where descent is more advanced. Consultation determines which approach is appropriate and what trade-offs apply.
A facelift primarily addresses changes through the face, often the midface, jowls, and jawline, while a neck lift focuses on the neck and the jaw–neck transition. Some patients have minimal neck ageing and may not need neck-focused surgery. Others have neck laxity or submental fullness as the dominant concern and may benefit from neck-specific treatment, either alone or in combination. The most appropriate plan depends on the pattern of change and anatomy.
All surgery heals with some degree of scarring, but how noticeable scars become varies between individuals. Scar quality can be influenced by skin type, healing response, sun exposure, and aftercare. Incisions are placed as discreetly as possible and scars typically soften and fade over time, though this cannot be fully predicted. Scar care and follow-up are discussed as part of recovery planning.
Recovery varies, but many patients plan for around 2-3 weeks of social downtime, as swelling and bruising are often most noticeable early on. Improvement continues over the following weeks, and scars mature more gradually over months. Exact timing depends on the extent of surgery and individual healing, and guidance is provided at follow-up appointments.
Activity is increased gradually. Light walking is encouraged from the first days, as advised. Light cardio may be possible from around two to three weeks, and heavier lifting or gym work is usually reintroduced gradually from around four to six weeks. Swimming and contact sports are deferred until incisions have fully healed. Individual instructions vary and are guided by healing progress at follow-up.
A facelift aims to restore support and contour, but it does not stop the ageing process. Longevity varies between individuals and is influenced by anatomy, skin quality, lifestyle factors, and the extent of surgery. Many patients describe long-lasting improvement, with the understanding that the face will continue to change gradually over time.
Costs vary depending on the extent of surgery, whether the neck is also treated, and fees related to theatre, anaesthesia, and postoperative care. Because the plan is individual, an accurate estimate is usually provided after consultation, once options and scope have been agreed and a written quote can be prepared.
Facelift surgery is generally considered for adults with established changes in facial shape, such as jowling, a softer jawline, or laxity through the neck, that are no longer suited to non-surgical treatment. Age alone is not the deciding factor. Skin quality, general health, smoking, healing capacity and realistic expectations all matter, and suitability is assessed individually at consultation. Some people are better served by a more limited procedure or by non-surgical care.
Facelift surgery with Dr Teixeira is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital, at Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne or Warringal Private Hospital in Heidelberg, with a specialist anaesthetist. Surgery usually takes four to six hours, and longer when procedures such as neck lift or fat transfer are combined. Patients stay in hospital overnight and usually go home the following day with written aftercare instructions.
A mini facelift may suit people with early lower-face changes, mainly along the jawline and jowls, where the neck is only mildly affected. It uses shorter incisions and usually involves a shorter recovery, but the correction is more limited and may not last as long as a full facelift. Whether a mini facelift is appropriate depends on the pattern of change seen at consultation, and a different approach is sometimes recommended.
Most patients plan for around two to three weeks away from work and social commitments, as swelling and bruising are most visible in this period. People in physically demanding or public-facing roles sometimes take longer, while those working from home at a desk may return earlier once they feel comfortable. Timing is individual and is discussed at follow-up as healing progresses.
Journal
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