In simplest terms, a facelift is an operation that is performed to surgically tighten the facial tissues. I perform what is called a modified deep-plane facelift, meaning that an emphasis is placed on muscle tightening, not pulling the skin tight. This creates a natural look, and not a “wind-blown” appearance. I feel strongly about avoiding a surgical, pulled-too-tight look, and I find that conservative tightening is the best way to go. I hide my incisions around the ears and in the back part of the hair. This incision hides very well in both men (click for image) and women (click for image). For many of my patients, getting rid of that “turkey gobbler” look is one of their greatest rewards from a facelift procedure.

For patients requiring a mid-facelift, very small incisions are hidden in the crow’s feet of the eyes and in the hairline. Mid-facelifts are for patients whose natural cheek fullness has dropped and needs to be repositioned up over the cheek bone where it was in earlier years. Only after a complete physical exam can I determine if a facelift or mid-facelift is most appropriate for you.

To fully understand the costs of cosmetic surgery, you must understand the guiding principles of my medical practice: Safety, Quality and a Respect for Cost. I have not designed the surgical experience to be lowest bid; rather, I want you to have an exceptionally high-quality medical experience. If this interests you, please read on.

There are three main components that contribute to your final cosmetic surgery fee. The first component is the surgeon's fee. As this is a medical experience, your final surgeon's fee can only determined after a full consultation with me. I will perform a complete history and physical exam and we will carefully discuss your concerns. Computerized imaging is often used to help better plan your surgery. As a reference point, a recent survey of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery showed the average fee of facelift surgery to be $6894.

The second cost component is the facility in which your operation is performed. I operate only in a state of the art surgical enter - not in a in-office surgical room. This surgical center is JCAHO certified, which means it has passed the highest level of federal inspection. Cosmetic surgery is real surgery, and I strongly believe that having it performed in a JCAHO certified center is in your best medical interest. The average surgical center fee for this operation is $1390.

The final cost component is the anesthesia fee. The training background of the person ultimately responsible for your sedation should be carefully considered. Nurse anesthetists are members of the surgical team; however, in every cosmetic operation I perform, an anesthesiologist who has completed medical school, residency, and board certification is responsible for your sedation. This is the level of care I would insist on for my own family members. Anesthesia fees for this operation average $780.

After your consultation you will leave the office with an easy to understand written quote in which we will list the cost of these three components for your individualized surgical plan. Keep in mind that the facility and anesthesia fees are time-based and so may be increased, or decreased, based on the actual final length of your surgery.

Dr. Mobley wants to make cosmetic surgery available to as many people as possible. For that reason we have hand picked lending services exclusively for Dr. Mobley's patients. When you come in for your consultation we will be more than happy to go over all your financial options with you. We have provided web links to our financial lenders so that you may research them on your own if you so desire. www.mlendfinancial.com

Most patients will recover in the surgical center and go home after several hours of nursing observation. You will then be seen back in the office the first and second day following surgery. One week after surgery, I will see you back in the office and remove your stitches. A special elastic facial dressing is worn around the face and neck for the first week. I encourage my patients to wear this elastic dressing at home and at night for another week following surgery.

For the first 1-2 days following surgery, the face is wrapped with a compressive bandage. This can cause some pressure discomfort, but most patients find this very tolerable, particularly in combination with the prescription pain medications that all patients receive. Once the compressive headwrap is removed, most patients feel that the majority of their discomfort has been alleviated. It is normal to feel tightness in the neck muscles under the chin. This is simply a sign of a successful surgical tightening of the neckline. This lasts for about 7 days.

• Daines SM, Mobley SR. (In Press). Considerations in male aging face consultation: psychologic aspects. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am.

American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Annual Fall Meeting, 2008, Chicago. "High Speed Facelift Workshop". Dr. Steven Mobley- Instructor