Facelifts aren’t just for the older crowd anymore. Younger patients are seeking the surgery, drawn to results that look refreshed, not obvious. While there’s growing debate online about which techniques deliver better results, surgeons including La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD stress that the best approach is one tailored to the individual. “There are multiple techniques available, and no single method is definitively better than others,” he explains. Even as results become more seamless, a facelift remains a significant surgery requiring thoughtful consideration. Here, patients share their personal stories about why they chose to have one.
CASE 01: Subtle Reset
PATIENT: Yolanda, 50
PROCEDURES: Facelift and necklift
LOCATION: Palo Alto, CA
FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEONS: David Lieberman, MD and Sachin Parikh, MD
PROCEDURE DETAILS
“Three years ago, approaching my 50th birthday, I made the life-changing decision to undergo a deep-plane facelift and necklift. This procedure was comprehensive, addressing my cheekbones down to my clavicle, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the result. The first seven days were challenging, but by day 12, I was back at work. In hindsight, I could have used a bit more time to rest. However, I felt more like myself again within a couple of weeks.”
WHY I HAD A FACELIFT
“I never imagined I would get a facelift in my 40s. Working in tech and finance, I hadn’t come from the aesthetics world, but after joining a medical practice, I started seeing younger patients opting for facelifts. When I hit perimenopause, I noticed early signs of aging: My jowls were more prominent, and my neck had begun to wrinkle. I’d always taken pride in my skin, following the skin-care rituals my mother and grandmother instilled in me, but this was beyond what creams or injections could handle. Realizing surgery was the only solution, I decided to go for it.
Even though I work in the aesthetics industry and knew how skilled my surgeons were, I still had some nerves. But, I trusted Drs. Lieberman and Parikh completely. They both performed the surgery together, which felt reassuring. Their teamwork ensured I’d get the best possible outcome. I initially thought facelifts were for women much older, but now I’m glad I didn’t wait.”
MY RESULT
“The impact this procedure had on my confidence was surprising. I’ve always felt comfortable in my skin, but after my facelift, I felt a new sense of ease. I stopped worrying about my profile or avoiding certain angles on camera, and I even feel more confident in selfies with my son. My face feels naturally refreshed, and no one suspects I’ve had anything done, but the freedom it’s given me is invaluable. Today, three years post-surgery, I look in the mirror and see the best version of myself—not overly ‘done,’ just me. And I love that I can now focus on things that matter more to me than a few lines or jowls.”
CASE 02: Picture Perfect
PATIENT: Georgia, 63
PROCEDURES: Facelift, necklift, eyelift and lip lift
LOCATION: Austin, TX
FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON: Yula Indeyeva, MD
PROCEDURE DETAILS
“At 63, I decided to have a deep-plane facelift and necklift. I also opted for upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty and a lip lift to refresh the areas that had started to bother me. Despite years of good skin care, Botox and fillers, my jawline had softened, my neck sagged and my upper lip appeared longer. Dr. Indeyeva’s attention to detail gave me confidence that my results would look natural. She explained that my thicker skin required specialized techniques to ensure the best outcome.”
WHY I HAD A FACELIFT
“I’ve always taken good care of my skin. Even into my 50s, I felt good about how I looked. But by 60, I noticed my jawline disappeared, my neck sagged and my eyes hooded. I didn’t have wrinkles, but everything drooped. The turning point was planning for my son’s wedding. I had begun to hate being in photos, so I knew it was time to act.
The surgery was intense, but I didn’t experience deep pain—just tightness. For the first week, I could barely open my mouth and relied on applesauce and a straw to eat. Over time, the tightness and swelling eased, but even nine months later, I still have some numbness and tingling as the nerves reconnect.”
MY RESULT
“When I look in the mirror now, I just see myself. My results don’t scream, ‘I had surgery.’ I feel like me again. My friends have all commented that I look younger. One asked me if I had lost weight or done something to my hair. Another said I look 30 years younger.
My husband initially worried I might look overdone, but he’s now thrilled with the result. That was my biggest fear, too—that I wouldn’t look like myself. But my surgeon gave me exactly what I wanted: a refreshed, natural look.
I’m so glad I did this, especially before the wedding. Now I feel confident taking pictures and don’t feel the need to hide. I’d absolutely do it all again.”
CASE 03: Fresh Start
PATIENT: Janet, 59
PROCEDURES: Facelift, fat transfer, necklift and fractional CO2 laser resurfacing
LOCATION: New York, NY
FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON: Dilip D. Madnani, MD
PROCEDURE DETAILS
“Despite caring for my skin, my jawline and neck lost definition over time, so I decided on a lower facelift and necklift. I’ve always been physically active and maintained a healthy lifestyle, but after menopause, I noticed my skin-care routine and regular facials weren’t delivering the same results. When I looked in the mirror, I felt like I didn’t recognize myself. Dr. Madnani recommended a deep-plane facelift to refresh my appearance while keeping my features natural. Although I had some concerns due to my health history, his team worked closely with me to ensure a safe and smooth process.”
WHY I HAD A FACELIFT
“When I met with Dr. Madnani, part of me thought, what am I doing? Do I really need this? In my mind, I still felt like I was in my 40s, and I expected his team to tell me I didn’t need surgery. When they confirmed that I was a good candidate for the surgery, it took me by surprise, but I trusted Dr. Madnani’s expertise and professionalism.
I didn’t want to change my features; I just wanted to look refreshed. I was also worried about my health because I’ve been on blood thinners for most of my life. Dr. Madnani and his staff worked with my doctors to coordinate the proper steps before and after surgery, ensuring all precautions were in place. Their constant communication, along with the Klara app for answering quick questions, eased my anxiety before my surgery.”
MY RESULT
“When I first got home and saw myself in the mirror, I thought, what did I do? The first few days were tough—not because of pain, but mainly due to swelling and discomfort.
By the two-week mark, I began to recognize the person I used to see in my younger years. Now, at one month post-op, I’m thrilled with my results. I can already see the more youthful look I was hoping for. Dr. Madnani explained that this is a journey, and I’ll continue to see positive changes for up to a year.
If you’re considering a facelift, it’s important to feel confident in your surgeon and their team. Recovery takes time—it’s a marathon, not a sprint—but the results are absolutely worth it. I’m so happy with how I look and feel, and I’m excited to continue seeing progress.”
CASE 04: New Chapter
PATIENT: John, 63
PROCEDURES: Browlift, facelift with fat transfer, necklift, chin implant, and lower and upper blepharoplasty
LOCATION: New York, NY
PLASTIC SURGEON: Ira Savetsky, MD
PROCEDURE DETAILS
“I consulted a plastic surgeon because my face no longer matched how I felt inside. I’ve been into weightlifting my whole life and my body looked strong, but my face just didn’t align with that. My jawline had softened and my eyes made me look tired all the time. I didn’t want anything drastic; I just wanted to look better.
Dr. Savetsky walked me through the process and explained what each procedure would do. We initially discussed a facelift, fat transfer, a browlift and eyelid surgery. At my preoperative appointment, he suggested adding a chin implant, saying, ‘This will really tie everything together.’ I hadn’t even thought about it, but I trusted him, so I said, ‘Go for it.’ He was absolutely right.”
WHY I HAD A FACELIFT
“I started considering this back in my late 40s when I became a dad. I was an older father and most of the other dads were a lot younger. I didn’t want to look like the grandpa at my kids’ school events, so it was something I had thought about for years. My wife at the time was supportive, but I never followed through.
After my retirement and divorce, I decided to finally go for it. I wanted to feel better about myself. Dr. Savetsky and I had a great consultation. He was straightforward, and I appreciated how he didn’t sugarcoat anything.”
MY RESULT
“The first night was tough—I had some pain—but after that, recovery wasn’t bad. The stitches around my eyes made them feel tight, but that was the worst part. By the second week, most of the swelling had gone down, and after a month, I started to really see the full results.
What I love is that people say, ‘You look great,’ but they can’t tell what’s different. That’s exactly what I wanted. I’d say I look 12 to 15 years younger, but I still look like me—just a refreshed version. I’m not ashamed of having this done. I’ve always believed in doing what makes you feel good.
If you’re thinking about it, my advice is to find a doctor you trust. For me, this was about feeling good about myself again, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
