Facelift Surgery Before and After Photos

Best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to ask their opinion with regards to post op expectations.  Best of luck.

Hello and thank you for the excellent question. When viewing before/after photos it is very important to ensure that the photos are generally consistent. This means that both before and after photos have similar lighting and that the patient is photographed in the same position. For example, beware of someone who is tucking their chin down in the before photo, but extending their chin outward in the after photo as this will significantly alter the appearance of the neck and jowls. You want to see after photos that look natural, not stretched, pulled or over-filled. The mouth and eyes should never look distorted or pulled. Also - pay close attention to scars in the hairlines and around the ears. Overall the patient should look better and younger overall to you even if you cannot pinpoint why. There are many other things to consider but hopefully this helps!

Thank you for your question. An in person consult is best advised. I would advise you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination to discuss all possible treatment options and what your expectations are. 

There are a number of important things to look for in a good facelift:
1. Time frame after surgery - needs to be at least 3 months.  Prior to this time, there may be significant residual swelling which may make the facelift look better then it actually is.
2. Consistent high definition photos (front-on, side-on and oblique angle).  This willl allow a full assessment of the entire face. 
3. Scars - assess the appearance of established scars surrounding the ears.  Stretched and unsightly scars, uneven ear lobes, pixy ear deformities are all signs of a less then ideal facelift.
4. Overall appearance - a good facelift should look natural, refreshed and un-operated.
Hope this helps.  

Facelift photos can be helpful in selecting a surgeon. It can not only demonstrate a sampling of work, but is also an indication of what your surgeon believes is a good result. Although photos can be helpful, they can also be deceiving.  Keep in mind that not all patients will allow their photos to be shown, so you may not be seeing a complete representation of the work. Of course the photos will usually be cases that turned out well. In any case, look for consistency in lighting, facial expressions and use of make-up between the before and after photos. These factors can markedly influence the appearance aside from the actual effect of the surgery. For example, almost everyone looks better when smiling or with makeup, so a comparison to a smiling after photo or with makeup, (and even jewelry or new hairstyles) can make it difficult. Look for a variety of examples of people with different facial features and find some that are similar to yours.  Find out if other procedures were also performed to achieve the changes that you may seeing. The amount of time since the procedure is also an important consideration in assessing the healing of scars and the temporary effects of swelling. I hope you find this helpful.
Best to you,
Stephen H Fink DO, FAOCO
Facial Pastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question.Always make sure you see a board registered surgeon before undertaking any kind of surgery. Surgeons should be able to show you a portfolio with a variety of before and after pictures. Check to see how the incision sites heal and where they are placed. Make sure to watch out for photo enhanced after photos. The lighting and facial positions should be the same as in the before pictures. This way you will get a true reflection of how good the work is.Some surgeons also have patients who have given consent to be contacted by prospective clients. Ask about this when you go for your consultation.Look at the earlobe and hair line to ensure there are no distortions.You should also have a good relationship with the surgeon: Has he/she listened to your questions and answered them fully? Have the discussed how they perform the procedure and aftercare advice. You should trust that your surgeon will give you the best outcome and both be on the same page when it comes to your expectations. 

I would recommend looking at a doctor's before and after photos to see if the patients show signs of being operated on. This is many patient's biggest fear - that they will look "plastic" or everyone will know that they've had surgery. I take pride in giving patients a natural look and hiding incisions in such a way that even their good friends and family are unable to tell that they've had surgery.
Also ask yourself if the patient looks natural and has gotten a nice improvement without looking strange.
Finally, look at the consistency of their before and after photos. It is easy to put up photos of a frowning patient before surgery and a smiling patient after surgery, but this does not always accurately illustrate the before and after changes.
Be sure to start your search for the right surgeon with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon specializing in facial aesthetics.
All the best,

Hello. When looking at before and after images, be sure to consider only before and after images that use the same photography setup - similar background, same angle, same lighting. Look closely at the scar areas which will be near the hairline and in front and behind the ear to be sure the scars are small and well hidden. Check to be sure there are no distortions of the ear, ear lobe, corner of the mouth, and hair line. Lastly, look at the overall result. Does it look natural (not pulled tight)? Does the neck, cheek, and jowl look firmer and tighter without sagging skin?  Do you like the results you see? Trust your eyes and look at several before & after images, not just one. In addition, be sure to check the experience and board certifications of the surgeon you choose.

For the most part, people are looking for a nice neck contour, smoothing of the jowls, and a decrease in the marionette lines.  Check for a result in those areas which are to your liking.  Incision placement without alteration of the hairline is also important.

As surgeons we all have our own aesthetic eye. Think about what it is you are trying to accomplish and pay special attention to these areas of the photos. For instance a common area of complaint is the jowl area (where the chin and jaw meet). So if that is your concern see if that is something your surgeon accomplishes in their patients.We can very the technique to meet your needs so have a detailed discussion with your surgeon and ask to see photos of someone who required similar work. 

Hi and thanks for your question.  The important thing to look for in before and after photos is for natural results and to see many examples of the surgeon's work.  If a surgeon is doing facelifts regularly, he or she should be able to show many results.  Good luck.