How long does it typically take to do a facelift in the operating room?

The times varies depending on several factors including the type (e.g., deep plane versus plication) and QUALITY of the facelift being performed, the patient's anatomy, aesthetic goals, previous surgeries of the patient, and if other procedures are being performed at the same time.  Also, the time in the operating room is different than the surgical time of the procedure, whereas the former includes positioning the patient, induction of anesthesia, prepping the patient, post-operative facial dressing, emergence from anesthesia and initial recovery before exiting the operating room.  Anything less than 4 hours is typically too short a time.The attached link provides more information.I hope this helps.

The amount of time a surgeon takes to perform a facelift is highly variable depending on the surgeon and the techniques used. It ranges from 2 to 6 hours, with additional procedures such as eyelid surgery or browlift taking additional time. Some surgeons do the procedure under sedation (twilight), and some under general anesthesia. I would focus more on the results (e.g., reviewing before-and-after pictures) and experience of the surgeon. As a generalization, more experienced surgeons tend to be more efficient, but a mini facelift favored by many surgeons takes less time because less is done. It also gives a more temporary result.

A full regular face and neck lift should take about 3 hours if the procedure is being done completely. A mini facelift may take about half the time. As long as you are healthy, you should have no problem undergoing anesthesia for that period of time.

I have pioneered the Concept Facelift which is performed under local anaesthetic and addresses the mid to lower face. The procedure typically takes around 2.5 - 3 hours but a lot of my patients like to combine procedures which will take long in theatre. For example the typically have a neck lift and/or eyelid surgery when they have a facelift I would suggest another couple of hours to perform all three treatments together.  With my face lift I make a very small incision in front of the ear and use absorbable stitches. The scars are slightly red for a couple of weeks but after a month you can hardly notice them. This is one of the main differences between the Concept facelift and a more traditional facelift which has a much larger scar. Another difference is that as I perform this surgery under local anaesthetic the recovery time is much quicker. There is also no need for drains or bandages and you will be in and out of the clinic within a few hours. Bruising is minimal - if any and there is only a small bit of swelling for the first few days post surgery. You can also combine your facelift with a neck lift. This gives fantastic results and goes hand in hand. Liposuction can also remove the fat in the neck but I would advice having a neck lift if you have lipo so that you do not have any sagging skin.

As other physicians have noted, the time needed for facelift surgery varies from patient to patient based on the specific procedure performed and the technique used. As a facelift specialist on Long Island, I've performed thousands of facelifts throughout my career. A typical, traditional facelift will usually take about 2 to 3 hours, but that is an estimate only. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can provide a more accurate estimate for the particulars of your facelift procedure.  

It takes me about 3 hours to do just a facelift with SMAS, it take as little as two hours and at most 6 hours. Different people present with different challenges that require the attention needed for an optimal result. Some surgeons can do a reasonable improvement in just an hour, I require more time then that. see a board certified ASAPS plastic surgeon. Good luck...

The time will vary on your surgeon- and so you should ask your surgeon how long it takes. I perform my face/necklifts without general anesthesia, so it takes me about and hour and a half. If other procedures are combined with the facelift, such as fat transfer, blepharoplasty, laser resurfacing etc, then the procedure will take longer. 

Hello and thank you for your question. There are many variables involved in this.  You will likely find the average is around 3-4 hours.  Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a
surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Dear DM319Thank you for your question!  The length of the surgery depends on the steps and details the surgeon takes.On average it takes me 5 hours - for a complete lift- so that the patient does not have the features that make a facelift obvious.With Warm Regards,Trevor M Born MD

You don't want your surgeon to rush. Some surgeons perform a facelift in two hours, some four or more. There are a number of variables depending on the type of facelift and any accessory procedures. Find the best surgeon you can and let them do the surgery, for as long as they need.

I would certainly be suspicious of any surgeon who claims to do an adequate facelift in one or two hours.  However, the overall length of the surgery will depend upon many variables including the amount of techniques performed, and the number of surgical goals.  In general, a facelift alone, without any other procedures such as lids, brow, or fat injections, may take around four hours.  However, I would focus less on the specific time allotment, and more on the expertise, experience, and rapport you share with your surgeon.Best of luck!

Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA