What Is the Average Cost of Facelift Surgery?

Mature woman touching her face

You’ve been thinking about a facelift for a while now, and you’re finally ready to take the next step. But there’s one question that keeps coming up, and it’s the same one everyone asks when they get serious about this surgery. What will it actually cost? This blog breaks down the real pricing factors behind facelift surgery, helping you understand what drives costs up or down.

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How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

Every facelift comes with its own price tag because every face tells its own story. Some people need more work around the jowls, others want to focus on the neck, and plenty of patients desire full facial rejuvenation.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons puts the average cost of a facelift at $11,395, though that number only includes the surgeon’s fee and is just a starting point. Your actual investment could swing higher or lower based on several moving parts that we will discuss below.

Your surgeon accounts for all these factors during your facelift consultation before providing you with a price estimate. Once you understand what factors influence the cost, you can make better decisions about your investment.

Surgeon’s Fee

The surgeon’s fee covers your plastic surgeon’s skill and experience, as well as the actual costs of running their practice. Board-certified plastic surgeons who focus on facial procedures tend to charge more for a facelift than general surgeons. They have spent years gaining and refining their experience, learning exactly how facial muscles and skin work together. Choosing a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in head and neck surgery, such as Dr. Haena Kim, ensures a safe, professional procedure and the best possible results.

Facility Fee

Where your surgery takes place influences cost more than you might expect. Accredited surgical centers have to meet strict safety standards, which means investing in the right equipment and hiring experienced staff. These places maintain sterile environments, use high-quality surgical equipment, and have backup plans for any situation that might arise.

Hospitals tend to charge more than accredited surgical centers, as things like staff salaries and materials are taken into account.

Anesthesia Fee

You’ll be under general anesthesia or sedation for your facelift. An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist handles this responsibility, and their fee covers both their expertise and the medications they use. If you’re planning to add other procedures to your facelift, you might save money on anesthesia since you only go under once.

Post-operative Care

It’s important to take post-operative expenses into account when planning for facelift surgery. You may need to purchase compression garments to keep swelling under control while your tissues settle into their new positions.

Pain medications and antibiotics prescribed by your surgeon can help you stay comfortable and avoid infections during those first weeks, and it is best to purchase these ahead of time. Post-op checkups are typically included in the cost of surgery.

Combining Other Procedures With a Facelift

Facelifts pair naturally with other cosmetic procedures, and there’s strategic value in combining treatments. Beyond the obvious benefit of paying for anesthesia and facility fees just once, you’ll also experience a single recovery period instead of multiple rounds of downtime. This approach saves both time and money while allowing your surgeon to create more harmonious overall results. The procedures that work well with facelifts include:

Why Choose Dr. Haena Kim for Facelift Surgery?

Dr. Kim brings a refreshing philosophy to facial surgery, focusing on enhancing your natural features rather than creating an overdone look. Her specialized training in face and neck procedures means she understands the subtle differences that make each face beautiful in its own way. She’s particularly known for her refined approach to ethnic plastic surgery, helping Asian patients and those of other ethnicities achieve results that honor their heritage while addressing their aesthetic goals.

Need a Facelift in San Jose, CA? We’re Here for You

If you’re ready to address facial aging, now might be the perfect time to move forward. Dr. Kim and her San Jose team help patients throughout the Bay Area achieve natural, refreshed results through careful, conservative techniques.

Schedule your personalized consultation to discuss your specific goals and get clear answers about facelift costs by calling (650) 507-3601 or completing our online contact form today.