Is a facelift right for you?
As we age, skin loses its elasticity, the tissues of the face loosen and fat moves downwards. The result is jowls along the jawline, deeper folds around the mouth and a neck that loses its shape. A facelift lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face, not just the skin.
The lower face and neck age together, so many people combine a facelift with a neck lift for a more balanced result. Bülent will talk through which combination makes sense for you.
More than skin tightening. Bülent lifts the SMAS, the layer of muscle and connective tissue under the skin, and puts it back where it used to sit. That gives a natural result that moves with your face, rather than the pulled or windswept look of older techniques.
Local anaesthetic facelift result. Individual results vary.
You may be a good candidate if you have:
- Jowls or a less defined jawline
- Deep lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth
- Loose or sagging skin on the face and upper neck
- A neck that has lost its shape
- Good general health and realistic expectations
- No smoking, or you're willing to stop before and after surgery
A facelift doesn't treat fine lines, skin texture or the eyes and brow. Those are separate procedures, and Bülent will be clear about what a facelift can and can't do for you.
Local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic?
Bülent offers facelifts under both local and general anaesthetic. Neither is better for everyone. The right choice depends on your health, your anatomy and how much change you'd like, and Bülent will give you his recommendation at your consultation.
Option 1
Facelift under
local anaesthetic
$16,500
Option 2
Facelift under
general anaesthetic
$35,800 to $38,800
Where
Waikato Specialist Centre, Hamilton (our procedure room)
Where
Braemar Private Hospital, Hamilton
How long it takes
About 4 to 5 hours
How long it takes
Longer, allowing more extensive work where needed
Hospital stay
None. You go home the same day with a driver.
Hospital stay
One night at Braemar Private Hospital
On the day
You're awake but comfortable, with your face numbed. You can eat normally beforehand and have up to 2 glasses of fluid on the morning of surgery.
On the day
You're fully asleep. Standard fasting rules apply, and you'll meet your anaesthetist that morning.
First day at home
Your lips will feel numb for about 6 hours, so soft food and a straw or pump bottle help. Keep your head raised at all times.
First day at home
You go home the morning after surgery. Someone should stay with you.
Stitches
Net sutures out on day 3, incision stitches at 7 to 10 days. You can shower from day 3.
Stitches
Net sutures out on day 3, incision stitches at 7 to 10 days.
Back to normal
Light daily activity from 2 to 3 weeks. No strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks.
Back to normal
Light daily activity from 2 to 3 weeks. No strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks.
Best suited to
People wanting a real improvement to the lower face and jawline who'd rather avoid a general anaesthetic or a hospital stay. It's a full facelift, not a "mini" one.
Best suited to
People wanting a more extensive result, or combining a facelift with a neck lift or other procedures.
Is a local anaesthetic facelift right for you?
A local anaesthetic facelift doesn't suit everyone, and it can't be promised before your consultation. Bülent will look at your health, anatomy and goals and recommend what's safest. Some people who ask about the local option are advised that a general anaesthetic is the better choice.
Being awake for 4 to 5 hours is worth thinking about carefully. You won't feel pain, but you'll be aware of sounds and activity around you. Most people manage it well, but it isn't for everyone, and feeling prepared and calm on the day helps a lot.
Usually well suited
- Good general health with no significant heart problems
- Normal or well-controlled blood pressure
- Comfortable with the idea of being awake during surgery
- Main concerns are jowls and the lower face
- People in their 50s, 60s and early 70s, assessed individually
- Very fit, healthy people in their mid-70s may also be suitable
General anaesthetic may be better
- High blood pressure that isn't well controlled
- Significant heart disease
- Anxiety about being awake for a long procedure
- Loose neck skin is your main concern (a neck lift under general anaesthetic treats this better)
- You'd like a more extensive result than local anaesthetic allows
Age alone isn't a barrier. A very fit and healthy 75-year-old may be a better candidate than a less healthy 60-year-old. Fitness and general health matter most, and patients aged 70 and over are always discussed carefully before a decision is made.
Local anaesthetic facelift and the neck: the local anaesthetic facelift lifts the lower face and jawline, and lifts the skin of the upper neck as part of that. It isn't a full neck lift, though. If loose neck skin or neck bands are your main concern, a facelift and neck lift under general anaesthetic will give you a better result, and Bülent will tell you so.
Option 3
Facelift and neck lift
General anaesthetic · Braemar Private Hospital · One night in hospital
$43,200 to $47,200
For people who want to treat both the face and a poorly defined neckline in one operation. Treating both together gives a more balanced result. Includes surgeon, anaesthetist, Braemar Private Hospital, nursing and six weeks of follow-up.
What happens during surgery
Bülent lifts and tightens the SMAS layer under the skin, rather than pulling the skin itself tight. With the deeper tissues back in place, the skin can be laid over them without tension, which is what gives a natural and longer-lasting result.
Incisions
Incisions follow natural lines: along the hairline, in front of and behind the ear, and sometimes under the chin for the neck. Over time they become very hard to see. Bülent will show you where yours will be at your consultation.
Lifting the SMAS
The SMAS is lifted and moved upwards and backwards, taking the deeper tissues of the face, including fat and muscle, back towards where they sat when you were younger. The skin is then redraped over the top without tension.
Neck lift (when combined)
In a neck lift the platysma, the thin muscle that runs down the front of the neck, is tightened to reduce bands and sagging. Excess skin is removed and the line of the neck and jaw is refined. Sometimes liposuction under the chin is done first to improve definition.
How long it takes
A facelift under local anaesthetic takes about 4 to 5 hours. A facelift and neck lift under general anaesthetic takes longer and includes a night at Braemar Private Hospital.
Two consultations before surgery. NZAPS guidelines require at least two weeks between your consultation and your surgery, and Bülent asks to see you face to face twice before a facelift or neck lift. It gives you time to ask questions and think it through, with no pressure to go ahead.
General anaesthetic facelift result. Individual results vary.
Bülent's suture technique and why it helps your recovery
As well as the usual stitches along the incisions, which come out at 7 to 10 days, Bülent places net sutures (also called quilting or through-and-through sutures) across the operated area at the end of surgery. These come out on day 3.
He uses them deliberately, because they help your recovery in three ways:
- Less swelling. The net sutures press evenly on the tissue in the first few days, when swelling is at its worst, which limits fluid build-up and helps the skin settle smoothly.
- Lower risk of haematoma. A haematoma, a collection of blood under the skin, is one of the more common problems after a facelift. The gentle, even pressure leaves less space for blood to collect during the first 72 hours.
- Better healing. Holding the skin against the tissue underneath while healing starts helps give a smoother, more even result.
By day 3 the main risk period for a haematoma has passed, so the net sutures come out. Most people find this quick and comfortable.
Recovery: what to expect
Everyone recovers differently. You'll get written instructions and regular follow-up appointments with Bülent and the nursing team. This is a general guide.
Bülent in consultation at Waikato Specialist Centre
Days 1 to 2
Some swelling, tightness and mild bruising is normal. Rest at home with your head raised and stick to soft food. Make sure someone is with you.
Day 3: net sutures out
Bülent removes the net sutures. The main risk period for a haematoma has passed. Keep to soft food a little longer if that's more comfortable.
Days 4 to 7
Swelling keeps going down and most people feel well enough to move around at home. Keep sleeping with your head raised and avoid anything strenuous.
Days 7 to 10: stitches out
The stitches along the incisions are removed. You'll start to look and feel much better, although some swelling and firmness can last a few more weeks.
Weeks 2 to 3
Most people feel comfortable going out and getting back to light daily activities. Scars are still pink, so keep them out of the sun.
Weeks 4 to 6
Gentle exercise is usually fine again and most of the swelling has gone. Your follow-up appointments continue through this time and are included in your fee.
3 to 6 months
The final result shows as the last of the swelling goes down and the scars fade.
Things to arrange before surgery
- Someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night
- At least two weeks off work, more if your job is physical
- A comfortable way to sleep with your head raised
- Stopping smoking well before surgery, which is essential for healing
- Stopping blood-thinning medication as Bülent advises
Risks and complications
All surgery has risks. For a facelift and neck lift the main ones are haematoma (blood collecting under the skin, which may need draining), infection, wound healing problems, visible scarring, nerve injury affecting feeling or movement, and asymmetry. Smoking greatly increases the risk of complications, so Bülent asks patients to stop before and after surgery. He'll go through the risks that apply to you at your consultation.
Fees and what's included
Your written estimate covers everything from surgery to the end of your six weeks of follow-up.
| Facelift under local anaesthetic | $16,500 |
| Facelift under general anaesthetic | $35,800 to $38,800 |
| Facelift and neck lift (general anaesthetic) | $43,200 to $47,200 |
Each fee includes the surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre and hospital fees (including the overnight stay at Braemar), nursing, consumables and six weeks of follow-up. Your written estimate after your consultation is based on your own procedure.
Consultation fee: $275 for your first consultation. Your second consultation, and any other appointments before surgery, are free for cosmetic patients. Fees are paid before your surgery date and payment plans aren't available.
See all fees and pricing
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a facelift and a neck lift?
A facelift treats the lower face and jawline, lifting the cheeks and reducing jowls. A neck lift treats the neck and under the chin, tightening the platysma muscle and removing loose skin to give a clearer neckline. The face and neck age together, so many people have both at the same time. Bülent will talk through what suits you.
What is the SMAS and why does it matter?
The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is the layer of muscle and connective tissue under the skin of the face. Lifting this deeper layer, rather than just pulling the skin, is what gives a natural result. When it's repositioned properly, the skin can sit over it without tension. Bülent works at this layer in every facelift.
What are net sutures and why does Bülent use them?
Net sutures (also called quilting or through-and-through sutures) are placed across the operated area at the end of surgery and removed on day 3. They press gently and evenly on the tissue in the first few days, when swelling and the risk of a haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) are highest. They help reduce swelling, lower the risk of haematoma and hold the skin against the tissue underneath while it starts to heal.
When do the stitches come out?
There are two sets. The net sutures come out on day 3, and the stitches along the incisions come out at 7 to 10 days. Bülent sees you at both appointments to check how you're healing.
How long does a facelift last?
Usually 5 to 10 years, depending on your age, genetics, skin quality and lifestyle. A facelift doesn't stop ageing, but it turns the clock back. Looking after your skin and protecting it from the sun will help your result last.
Local or general anaesthetic: what's the difference?
With local anaesthetic your face is numbed and you stay awake but comfortable, in our procedure room, and go home the same day. With general anaesthetic at Braemar Private Hospital you're fully asleep, which allows a longer and more extensive operation, and you stay overnight. Which suits you depends on your health, your anatomy and what you'd like to achieve.
How long does recovery take?
Most people feel comfortable going out after 2 to 3 weeks. Plan on at least two weeks off work, and longer if your job is physical. Swelling and bruising are normal for the first two weeks. Avoid strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 weeks. The final result takes 3 to 6 months to settle.
How many consultations do I need before a facelift?
Two face-to-face consultations, and NZAPS guidelines require at least two weeks between your consultation and surgery. The first consultation is $275. Your second consultation, and any other appointments before surgery, are free.
Will I look natural after a facelift?
That's the aim. Because the deeper tissues are lifted and the skin isn't pulled tight, the result should look like a rested, slightly younger version of you rather than a different face. Bülent will tell you plainly what's achievable for you.
Is Bülent Yaprak a qualified plastic surgeon?
Yes. Bülent is a specialist plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon with over 20 years of surgical experience, including more than ten years as a consultant plastic surgeon at Waikato Hospital. He holds FEBOPRAS (Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), which the Medical Council of New Zealand recognises as equivalent to FRACS. He is board certified by ANZBCPS (Australian and New Zealand Board of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery) and is a member of NZAPS, ASAPS and ISAPS.
How much does a facelift cost in New Zealand?
At Bülent's Hamilton practice, a facelift under local anaesthetic is $16,500. A facelift under general anaesthetic is $35,800 to $38,800, and a facelift with neck lift is $43,200 to $47,200. Prices include the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, nursing and six weeks of follow-up. You'll receive a written estimate after your consultation.
