Facelift
In Sydney, New South Wales
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Have Your Face Reflect How You Feel Inside With A Facelift
The goal of facelift surgery is to create a natural-looking shape that compliments your face and results in improved quality of life. Dr Joseph Rizk is a board-certified choice for facelifts in Sydney. Contact us today for a personalized consultation. The new, youthful, and revitalized you is possible with a facelift.
What is a Facelift?
At Rizk Plastic Surgery in Sydney facelift surgery (also known as a Rhytidectomy) is one of the most common surgical procedures undertaken by people who wish to revitalise their appearance and combat the most visible age-related changes.
This type of surgery restores the contours of your face and neck to produce a more youthful appearance. A more youthful appearance is achieved through the tightening or elimination of sagging skin, elevation of facial muscles, loss of skin tone (causing jowls), and elimination of excess fat from the cheeks, chin, and neck. Facelift surgery involves an incision along your hairline, and around the ear, which allows your underlying facial muscle tissue to be tightened, and any excess skin and fat removed.
Mini facelifts are similar to the full procedure. However, they differ in the extent of work performed. Generally, mini facelifts are less invasive and require less downtime and recovery time. Mini facelifts are perfect for individuals with minimal skin sagging and only experiencing early-onset age-related changes.
Benefits of a Facelift procedure
Facelifts are an excellent option for anyone who wants to rejuvenate the way they look in a dramatic way. This procedure directly combats some of the most obvious age-related changes and can take years off of your appearance. Facelifts don't change your fundamental appearance, so you'll still look like you, just younger. A rhytidectomy surgery immediately addresses common marks of age.
- •Jowls
- •Double-chin
- •"Turkey neck"
- •Sagging skin
- •Fine lines and wrinkles
- •Creases on the forehead
- •Crows feet and laugh lines
All of these signs can be reduced or eliminated with a facelift, restoring your face to project your ideal image. However, keep in mind that a facelift cannot stop the aging process, so ongoing care of your face and skin is important, as is a healthy diet and regular exercise. What's more, a facelift can be combined with various other cosmetic procedures such as neck lifts, chin lifts, brow lifts, eyelid rejuvenation, and fat grafting in order to provide a customised rejuvenation solution for each individual pursuant to their needs and desires.
Am I a candidate for a Facelift?
A Rhytidectomy procedure is good for any man or woman who wants to look younger. It is also important that candidates for a facelift have skin is relatively healthy with enough elasticity and resilence to achieve the ideal results.
Good candidates are people who are generally in good health. People without any disease that could interfere with the healing process. This can include heart disease, diabetes, or circulatory problems. Also, you should be free of any infections since they can cause complications during surgery and hinder recovery as well. Good candidates will also be non-smokers and people in good mental health. As outlined above, there are some situations where a facelift may not be the best option for a patient.
During your consultation for a facelift Sydney plastic surgeon, Dr. Rizk will discuss your complete medical history and talk you through other options if a facelift is not right for you. As with all cosmetic treatments, Dr Rizk advocates the National Law and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) guidelines that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Your Facelift procedure
Prior to your surgery, Dr Rizk will outline any steps you need to take to prepare adequately. These may include taking certain medications or adjusting those you already take. If you smoke, you'll be asked to stop. And if you take any supplements, make sure to let Dr Rizk know because some may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. You will be under general anesthesia during your surgery, so you'll be unconscious and you should plan for a friend or family member to take you home from the clinic that day.
Limited or "mini-facelifts" involve localized incisions that are much smaller, but the extent of the work is more limited as well, so they are not able to address concerns that involve the entire face. However, the recovery and aftercare required for a mini-facelift are much less than for a full procedure. Once the "under-the-skin" work has been completed, Dr Rizk will then pull the skin tight and remove any excess skin as needed. He will finalise the procedure by closing the entire incision with stitches or, in some cases, skin adhesives.
Your Facelift Procedure Recovery
The recovery process from your facelift greatly depends on the extent of the procedure you have performed. Dr Rizk will provide you with any prescriptions you may need for pain or antibiotic medication as well as any aftercare instructions you will need. There will be dressings or bandages covering your face and we know you will be excited to see your results, but make sure not to remove these before Dr Rizk recommends.
You should expect there to be significant swelling, discoloration, and bruising around the impacted areas that will resolve in time, depending on your body's natural healing properties. Depending on your needs, Dr Rizk may also utilise small tubes to drain excess fluid from the surgical sites, and he'll let you know the proper way to care for these as well.
Your face, forehead, and/or neck will probably be tender and sore for several days as well. Your medication should be adequate to address any discomfort you have, but you can contact Dr Rizk if you have any concerns. As always, call for emergency medical attention immediately in the case of any severe or life-threatening issues. Following your surgery, Dr Rizk will schedule any follow-up visits to check on your progress and remove any stitches or drainage tubes, if necessary.
Your Facelift results
You will be sufficiently healed to go out in public or back to work within two weeks of your surgery, but it may take longer than that for your face to feel back to "normal." This is because of the process your facial skin and muscles undergo to relax and settle into their new, restored shape.
After the swelling and bruising have subsided, you should readily notice your face's tighter, firmer appearance and more defined features like your cheekbones, chin, and jawline. Your overall appearance should be the more youthful and energetic face you wanted to get back.
It is important to remember that each person's body is unique, so your results will not exactly match someone else's. Also, following Dr Rizk's instructions closely and staying vigilant with your skincare routine will be vital to maintaining your facelift's results.
Complementary Procedures
Many people choose to couple their facelift with one or more supplementary procedures. These treatments take the rejuvenating effects of a facelift even further, applying the restoration to other parts of the face as well. Some common complementary procedures for a facelift are:
Rhinoplasty
A Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the world. Rhinoplasty is used to restore and reshape the nose into its most ideal shape for your face. If you feel your nose is too big, too small, misshapen, or just not quite right, a Rhinoplasty is designed to fix it.
Blepharoplasty
Also called "eyelid surgery," Blepharoplasty targets the form and function of either the upper eyelid, the lower, or both. Often, patients choose this to reduce sagging in the upper eyelid, which can make the eyes appear tired and can even impair vision. Likewise, lower Blepharoplasty can reduce puffiness and make the eyes look younger and more vibrant.
Brow Lift
While a facelift rejuvenates and enhances the middle and lower portions of the face, a brow lift smooths and refines the upper face. The process is similar to a facelift, but a brow lift tends to be somewhat less invasive. The result? Eliminated creases and a smooth, youthful forehead to compliment your restored facial appearance.
Neck Lift
Excess fat and skin around the neck can create the dreaded "turkey neck" effect. Creases and bands form that can detract significantly from your overall appearance. A neck lift ("platysmaplasty") reduces or eliminates these age-related changes and restores the look of a strong, slender neck.
Face Contouring
Wrinkles and lost volume can be a common complaint for many people undergoing a facelift procedure. This can be remedied through:
- •Facial Implants — prosthetic devices are implanted under the skin to fill out sunken places
- •Fat Transfer — fat is harvested from another area of the body and injected under the skin of the face
- •Dermal Fillers — biosynthetic materials are injected beneath the facial skin
Non-surgical Treatments
Many patients take advantage of non-surgical procedures to improve the health and vitality of their skin following a facelift. Common treatments include intense pulsed light (IPL), laser treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, and dermabrasion.
Other face surgeries performed by Dr Rizk
In terms of Face surgery, Sydney offers a variety of procedures under Dr Rizk. These include:
Facelift FAQs
A deep plane facelift releases and repositions the deeper structural layer of the face (the SMAS and underlying ligaments), rather than simply tightening the skin. This produces more natural, longer-lasting results because it addresses the actual cause of facial sagging rather than just the surface. Standard (SMAS) facelifts tighten the muscular layer beneath the skin but do not release the retaining ligaments, which limits how far the tissues can be repositioned. Dr Rizk will assess your anatomy during your consultation to recommend the most appropriate technique for your goals.
Facelift costs in Sydney vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, whether complementary procedures (such as a neck lift or blepharoplasty) are performed at the same time, anaesthesia fees, and hospital costs. Dr Rizk provides a detailed, personalised quote following your consultation. In some cases, a portion of costs may be partially covered by Medicare if there is a functional component. Please contact our rooms on 1300 707 007 for more information.
Most patients are comfortable returning to work and light social activities within 2–3 weeks. Significant swelling and bruising typically resolve within the first 2 weeks, though subtle swelling can persist for 2–3 months as the deeper tissues settle. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 4–6 weeks. Dr Rizk will provide you with a tailored recovery plan and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
A well-performed facelift typically provides visible rejuvenation for 7–12 years, and in some cases longer. A deep plane facelift tends to have greater longevity than a skin-only lift because it restores the structural foundation of the face. Results depend on your skin quality, lifestyle factors (sun protection, smoking, diet), and the natural ageing process, which continues after surgery. Maintaining a good skincare routine and healthy lifestyle will help preserve your results.
Dr Rizk performs facelift surgery under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the procedure. You will be unconscious during surgery and will not feel anything. You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure and to stay with you for the first 24 hours of recovery.
There is no fixed age requirement for a facelift. Most patients seeking a full facelift are in their 40s–70s, when facial sagging and volume loss become more pronounced. Younger patients with early-onset laxity may be good candidates for a mini-facelift. Older patients in good overall health can achieve excellent results. What matters most is your general health, skin elasticity, and realistic expectations — all of which Dr Rizk will assess thoroughly during your consultation.
Learn more about Facelift procedures in Sydney with a consultation with Dr Joseph Rizk
Are you ready to find out if a facelift procedure is right for you? Contact Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Joseph Rizk today! You can fill in the consultation form on this page or give us a call on 1300 707 007, Monday – Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.
Choose the practice that puts you first
Dr Joseph Rizk (MED0001186612) became Australasia's plastic surgeon of the year by making sure that each patient is heard, respected, and treated well. His patient-first approach provides you with the accurate medical information you need to make informed decisions about your course of treatment. At the same time, he offers his decades of knowledge and experience to help you along your path.
Double Bay
Suite 301, Level 3
451 New South Head Road
Double Bay NSW 2028
