Why Does a Face Lift Have to Cost So Much Money?

You can always find a bargain, but what you get is often what you pay for! No where is this more true than in elective cosmetic surgery. Too many doctors take weekend courses in facelifting techniques and think they are then qualified to "practice" on your face. All you need is a severed branch of your facial nerve causing permanent stroke-like paralysis (loss of the ability to smile or close your eyelids, for example) to make you understand that cosmetic surgery is REAL surgery, and best performed by a doctor with full training in plastic surgery and certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Considering what you get for the money you pay, a facelift is a significantly-better investment than a new car. The car can break down, rust out, have any number of mechanical problems, and needs constant upkeep and ongoing investment, and still they wear out after 5 years or so. And most of us pay far more for a much-less reliable piece of machinery multiple times throughout our lives, whereas most patients have one facelift and that's it!

This isn't about being only for "the rich" and saying "the heck" with low income or poor people. Over 1/3 of all plastic surgeons travel to third world countries and perform free cleft lip and palate surgery for the most desperately poor people on our planet (You are "rich" compared to these people, who often walk miles to have their child evaluated for possible reconstructive surgery so they can eat and speak like you), and many others perform charitable works for less-fortunate people here at home.

I'm sorry you feel compelled to complain about this. If wanting was the same as deserving, we would all eat steak, drive Cadillacs, and live in the suburbs. All the men would be strong, the women beautiful, and the children above-average. (credit Garrison Keillor)

Most of my patients are not "the rich" they are hard working individuals who feel strongly about investing in their appearance.  Many of my patients have saved for years to be able to afford the operation.  Think of it in terms of an investment that is spaced out over many years.  We all make choices in terms of clothing, hair, jewelry, makeup, cars, etc. based on our priorities.  If this is a priority for you, develop a plan to make it happen.  For those who are struggling to survive, then cosmetic surgery (or most indulgences) are not a good idea.

Once you get to the point of deciding to have something like a facelift done, get several consultations and make your choice based on who you trust will take the best care of you and give you the results you desire, not on cost.  If the surgeon you prefer is out of your range, try to work out financing or negotiate terms that will work for you.  I would discourage you from settling for less when it comes to your face.

If your question is really asking why a facelift must cost what it does, consider that those of us who practice in the art of plastic surgery value are work not just for the labor but for the knowledge it takes to perform the procedure properly and with invisible incisions and the effort it has taken for us to dedicate our lives to this pursuit.  

Each surgeon has within them only a limited number of this type of operation in their career.  Most surgeons support a practice with employees, rent, and extensive overhead.  This operation is not just something someone "whips up" but takes time in pre-operative planning, about 4 hours during surgery (when performing a proper lift with SMAS lifting and neck/platysmal work) and multiple visits postoperatively for proper after care.  Additionally, an anesthesiologist and surgery center with well-trained staff also contribute to the cost of the operation and are generally non-negotiable.

The bottom line is, like many things in life, something valuable costs more.  The reason a facelift is valuable is because not just anybody can perform it right, and those who can work very hard to continue to be able to do it.  

Facelift surgery is labour intensive and requires precision. Your surgeon should also have had extensive training performing the procedure. The procedure may seem expensive, but if you consider the longterm costs of skincare, nonsurgical treatments and other things that you do to maintain your appearance, it's comparable. The only thing is that you would be paying for the surgery all at once, while for the other things you'd be paying over the course of several years.

Your are right. A good facelift isn't cheap, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune either.  A well done basic facelift should be around $7500.  If you add other things to that it can add up pretty quickly.  For example expect another $4000 to have your upper and lower lids done as well.

One of the main factors is that you have to make sure you are comparing apples with apples.

For example if a 60 year old woman goes to an experienced face lift surgeon she may receive a shocking face lift estimate of $25-30k but this will include:

Brow lift
Eyelid lift
Facial fat grafting to multiple regions
Deep plane face lift
Neck lift with platysmaplasty

The same woman may go to one of the face lift Mills that advertise on TV and may get a price quote for $5k for a ‘face lift’.  This may seem like a great deal but when you break it down:

Brow lift → not performed
Eyelid lift → not performed
Facial fat grafting → not performed
Deep plane face lift →  not performed (a mini lift performed instead)
Neck lift with platysmaplasty → not performed

The cost of a Facelift is at a certain level for a variety of reasons, starting with the training and expertise of the Surgeon performing the procedure.  As previously mentioned, one also has to factor in the cost of the facility, supplies, anesthesia, and after care involved.  Consider that it is "your face", and you are free to see a Surgeon simply because cost is lower.  However, I will caution you from examples on this website and from my own anecdotal experience that patients who decide purely on cost often end up regretful and unhappy.  A simple formula to consider: Cheap Facelift + revision is much more expensive that a well performed primary Facelift.  Facelifts results are not necessarily transferable from Surgeon to Surgeon as is often advertised.

One of the main reasons that this procedure is so expensive is the time it takes to perform.  Cost of surgery is usually predicated on time.  The O.R. cost and the cost of an Anesthesiologist are charged per hour.  Because this operation takes a while ,(longer than say a breast augmentation), the costs for time will be higher.  The cost of going to a certified surgery center and having a board certified Anesthesiologist will be more than someone who performs their surgery elsewhere.  Good ideal to visit with at least three board certified surgeons, (Plastic or Otolaryngologist/ENT),  before making your decision.

In reality, your facelift, if the result is good, is quite inexpensive when you consider what is involved. 

What is the value of looking more youthful in every single professional, social, and personal situation you encounter during the next 20-30 years.

What is the value of not becoming "irrelevant" in the workplace?

What is the value of feeling attractive, vibrant, and self confident with peers, family, and friends, and what are the alternatives?

PRICELESS! 

Of course, if you have a poor result, the procedure becomes a liability, potentially for the rest of your life, so DO YOUR RESEARCH, FIND A GOOD SURGEON, AND DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS.  SHOP SURGEON AND RESULTS, NOT PRICE.

 

The marketplace punishes surgeons who charge too little.  Many people believe that they must pay top dollar to get "the best", and are only satisfied by what they perceive to be the best possible result.  If you can avoid this mentality, you can save some money AND find a surgeon who provides real value.

Consider contacting University plastic surgery departments, as many training programs offer discount surgery performed by Surgical trainees (residents) under supervision by faculty plastic surgeons.

A facelift is a very complication procedure requiring a lot of time, skill and efforts in behalf of the surgeon, his/her staff, surgery center, and much more.  Keep in mind you get what you pay for, so beware of a 'budget facelift'