As we age, our skin loses elasticity, facial muscles weaken, and gravity takes its toll, often leading to sagging skin, excess skin, deep facial wrinkles, and jowling. A facelift and neck lift can restore a more youthful, refreshed look by tightening facial skin, redefining the jawline, and smoothing the neck.
At Pacific Plastic Surgery in Vancouver, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Demianczuk offers advanced facelift techniques tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals with a deep plane facelift or a SMAS facelift. With over 20 years of experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Demianczuk is recognized for his commitment to achieving natural-looking results with precision and care.
What Is a Facelift and Neck Lift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, addresses sagging skin, deep facial folds, and loss of definition in the mid-to-lower face. It is often combined with a neck lift to treat loose skin, muscle laxity, and excess fat under the chin, commonly referred to as a “turkey neck.” Dr. Demianczuk customizes each surgical plan using the most appropriate technique, whether it is a mini facelift for early aging, a SMAS facelift for moderate aging, or a deep plane facelift for more advanced concerns. Incisions are carefully placed around the ears and within the hairline to minimize visible scarring.
Facelift & Neck Lift Surgeon in Vancouver
A facelift (rhytidectomy) and neck lift (platysmaplasty) are surgical procedures designed to remove excess sagging skin, reposition underlying facial tissues, and restore youthful facial contours. These procedures address common signs of aging, such as:
- Loose skin on the face and neck
- Droopy jowls
- Deep creases around the nose and mouth
- Loss of jawline definition
- Muscle laxity in the neck (commonly called a “turkey neck”)
Incision Placement & Scarring
During facial cosmetic surgery, Dr. Demianczuk carefully places incisions around the natural curves of the ear and along the hairline to ensure minimal visible scarring. Scars typically fade over time and are well-hidden, allowing patients to enjoy a rejuvenated appearance without obvious signs of surgery.
Facelift Techniques Offered
Every face is unique, and so is every facelift. Dr. Demianczuk offers multiple facelift surgery techniques to ensure the best results for each patient:
SMAS Facelift: The Gold Standard
The SMAS facelift is widely regarded as the gold standard in facial rejuvenation. This technique addresses both the skin and the underlying superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS), a key structure responsible for facial expression. During surgery:
- An incision is made from the temple, along the hairline, and around the ear.
- The skin is lifted, and the SMAS layer is tightened and repositioned.
- This deep-layer work produces results that are more dramatic, natural-looking, and longer-lasting compared to skin-only facelifts.
Mini Facelift
Ideal for younger patients or those with early signs of aging, the mini facelift is a less invasive procedure with smaller incisions and reduced recovery time. It targets the lower face and jawline, and often includes fat grafting to restore lost volume and enhance facial contours.
Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical procedure that lifts and repositions the deeper facial tissues-including muscles and fat-rather than just tightening the skin. By releasing and elevating these deeper structures, especially the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer, this technique restores youthful contours to the cheeks, jawline, and neck, delivering natural-looking and long-lasting results without the tight or “pulled” appearance of traditional facelifts. The incisions are typically hidden along the hairline and around the ears, and the approach minimizes tension on the skin, resulting in finer scars and a smoother recovery.
Candidates for a Facelift/Neck Lift
Ideal candidates for a facelift or neck lift are individuals who are in good overall health and are beginning to experience visible signs of aging, such as sagging skin, excess fat, jowling, and diminished jawline or neck definition. If you’re considering facial plastic surgery to restore a youthful appearance, this procedure may be right for you.
Those with weakened neck muscles, loose skin, or fullness under the chin caused by excess fat can benefit significantly from neck surgery as part of a combined facelift and neck lift approach. It’s important for candidates to have realistic expectations and understand the risks, which may include temporary swelling, bruising, or, in rare cases, nerve injury. However, when performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, negative effects are rare.
During your consultation, Dr. Demianczuk will assess your facial anatomy, skin elasticity, and cosmetic goals to determine if a full facelift, mini facelift, SMAS facelift, deep plane facelift, or a customized neck lift would provide the best results. His goal is always to deliver natural, long-lasting rejuvenation while preserving facial harmony and minimizing risk.
The Surgical Experience
Facelift/neck lift is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia with twilight sedation at our fully accredited Vancouver surgical facility.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Surgery duration: 3–4 hours
- Post-op wrap: Head wrap is removed after 2 days
- Recovery timeline:
- Mild swelling and bruising for a few days
- Return to work: approximately 1 week
- Resume full activity: around 6 weeks
- Scarring: Discreetly placed and fades with time
Dr. Demianczuk and our experienced surgical team are dedicated to providing attentive pre-operative care and thorough post-operative follow-up to support a smooth recovery.
What Can Be Combined with a Facelift and Neck Lift?
Facelift and neck lift procedures are often combined with eyelid surgery, brow lift, fat grafting, or skin resurfacing for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Demianczuk will tailor your surgical plan based on your individual needs and cosmetic goals. Combining procedures can help enhance overall balance and deliver more natural-looking results.
What to Expect During Surgery and Recovery
Facelift and neck lift procedures are typically performed under general anesthesia and may take several hours to complete, depending on the surgical approach. Mild swelling and bruising are expected and generally subside within a few days. Most patients return to work in about one week and resume full activity around six weeks after surgery. Scars are discreetly placed and fade with time, allowing for a rejuvenated appearance without visible signs of surgery. Our team provides comprehensive care throughout your recovery to ensure your comfort and healing.
Facelift and Neck Lift Results
The results of a facelift and neck lift can be seen as swelling resolves, revealing smoother skin, improved definition, and a more youthful facial profile. These procedures do not halt the aging process, but they can significantly slow it down, offering long-lasting results. With proper skin care and a healthy lifestyle, patients enjoy their refreshed appearance for many years.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering a facelift and neck lift to restore a youthful appearance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Demianczuk. During your visit, he will evaluate your facial anatomy and recommend the surgical approach best suited to your goals. Contact us through our online form to begin your facial rejuvenation journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is best age for facelift?
Is there a non-surgical option?
Will I look unnatural or fake?
Can a facelift or neck lift be combined with other facial procedures?
Schedule your consultation
To find out how a facelift procedure can help you meet your goals, contact Dr. Demianczuk.
Book a Consultation“I was in need of a facelift. Dr. Demianczuk was fabulous! He listened to me and did the procedure with great results! I found Dr. Demianczuk and his staff to be very caring and kind. I am happy to tell everyone and anyone about my great experience from this surgery!”
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