Is a Facelift procedure painful?

Thanks to general anesthesia, your facelift surgery should be very comfortable, and your recovery process should be relatively smooth as well. You will be temporarily prescribed some pain medications to help your initial recovery, but many of our traditional facelift surgery patients have a pretty easy healing period. You may feel a slight tightness at first, which can be uncomfortable for some, but Dr. Bhat will provide you with specific instructions to make it easier for you.

How many appointments will I need?

Every patient's facelift recovery time will be different, but most patients will need to return for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Bhat within three to six weeks. These appointments typically occur a few days after surgery, a week after surgery, and then again every two to four weeks as needed. You will always be advised when it is time to return after each check-up.

How long until I see results?

Visible results from a facelift vary from patient to patient. Once the swelling and bruises dissipate over the first few weeks, you should notice a significant difference from before your surgery. However, most patients won’t see their full results until about three to six months post-surgery. Once your face has settled into its natural resting position, you can enjoy the results for an average of ten years or more.

Can I Pair a Facelift with Other Treatment Options?

Facelift surgery in Tampa is often performed in tandem with other procedures to achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated, and balanced appearance. Many of our facelift patients in Tampa combine their surgery with eyelid surgery , lip lift , and facial fat grafting . If you have specific aesthetic goals in mind for your appearance or are interested in additional procedures, please inform Dr. Bhat during your facelift consultation, and she will be more than happy to offer her expert recommendations.

What are the risks associated with Facelifts?

Dr. Bhat takes her patients' health and safety very seriously, but, as with any surgery, there are potential risks and side effects associated with the procedure. For a facelift, risks include the following: Poor anesthesia reactions Swelling Bruising Bleeding Infection Deep vein thrombosis Cardiac and pulmonary complications Nerve injury Muscle injury Fluid buildup Hematoma Changes in skin sensation and color Poor wound healing Poor scarring If you experience any serious side effects or prolonged swelling, please contact our Tampa offices right away so we can assist you.

Are non-surgical procedures (i.e., filler or BOTOX) good alternatives to facelifts?

Non-surgical procedures can be a great treatment option for facial rejuvenation, but they will never replace a traditional facelift in terms of their ability to lift and tighten the face. Noninvasive aesthetic solutions can soften the appearance of creases, lines, and wrinkles while also enhancing facial contours without the need for surgery. However, the results of these procedures are typically temporary. They need to be repeated to maintain the desired effect. Alternatively, these non-surgical modalities can be used to enhance cosmetic surgery. There are many non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation, including dermal fillers, BOTOX, Xeomin, and Dysport. These treatments can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, add volume to the face, and enhance facial contours without the need for surgery. However, they will never be able to treat the face as robustly as a traditional surgical procedure.

How Do I Choose the Best Facelift Surgeon Near Me in Tampa?

Choosing the right surgeon for your facelift in Tampa involves research and careful consideration. Look for a surgeon who is trained in plastic surgery, experienced, and has a good reputation in the community. You should also feel comfortable with the surgeon and their team, feel that they listen to your concerns, and answer your questions thoroughly and professionally.

Can a Facelift Improve Sagging Facial Skin?

Depending on the facelift technique, Dr. Bhat will tighten the underlying facial and neck structures while removing excess skin. The surgery aims to enhance and re-establish the patient's natural contours.

Can Facelift Surgery Improve a Double Chin?

Yes, a neck lift is often combined with facial plastic surgery, which should pull back the neck contours and improve a double chin. Facial wrinkles and an aging neck can often cause a "turkey neck" appearance. With neck lift and facelift surgery, both the face and neck are positively impacted.

Can I Get a Facelift If I Have a Lot of Facial Fat?

Our facial rejuvenation surgery patients should be close to their ideal weight before getting a facelift or any other procedure. It is possible to undergo a facelift, but you'll need to consult with Dr. Bhat first.

Is Facial Rejuvenation the Same As a Facelift?

Facelift procedures are considered a type of facial plastic surgery that falls under the umbrella of facial rejuvenation, but they do not encompass it. Facial rejuvenation can also include other surgical procedures, such as a Neck Lift or Brow Lift, and non-surgical treatments like BOTOX or Fillers.

What is Facial Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon takes fat from another area of the body and injects it into the face. With fat grafting, there is no need for neck reconstruction or facelift incision. Facial fat grafting will not improve the neck, as it's not a neck lift; however, it can give the face a beautiful and natural appearance.

When Can I Work Out Again After a Facelift?

You will be encouraged to engage in some light walking during your initial recovery, but avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for approximately six weeks to prevent swelling or delayed healing. Dr. Bhat will monitor your progress and notify you when it’s safe to resume your workouts.

Facelift In Tampa, FL | Facelift Cost In Tampa Bay

Introduction

Introduction to Facelift

As you age, masking the signs of aging can become increasingly difficult. Many skincare products and nonsurgical treatments for facial aging can produce stunning results. However, these treatments can only take you so far. A facelift is considered a gold-standard rejuvenation solution for firming loose skin and restoring a youthful appearance to the face.

When you visit Ravive Plastic Surgery, we offer a wide array of powerful surgical and non-invasive treatments to help you achieve a more youthful appearance. However, the facelift procedure is one of the most popular. To learn more about the techniques that Dr. Deepa Bhat uses and how she can help you, please continue reading our guide to the procedure.

What is a Facelift?

Also referred to as rhytidectomy, a Facelift is a plastic surgery procedure that helps reduce and improve the visible signs of aging in your face and neck. The more common age-related skin problems that a Facelift can treat are sagging facial skin, fold lines that appear between the nose and mouth, jowls, and loose skin with excessive fat around the neck (often referred to as a “turkey neck” or double chin).

The full Facelift technique is a very popular, long-lasting procedure that can be performed using various techniques to help patients regain confidence and appear more youthful. At Ravive Plastic Surgery, Dr. Bhat has performed numerous facial plastic surgery and facelift procedures over the years. In addition to a traditional Facelift, we offer our patients several procedures that treat the whole face or can target specific problem areas.

What Sets Dr. Bhat Apart From Other Facelift Surgeons in Tampa?

Dr. Deepa Bhat has performed hundreds of successful cosmetic surgeries, earning a reputation for her precision and artistry in aesthetic procedures. Her extensive experience with a variety of facelift techniques ensures that each patient receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
Dr. Bhat’s excellence in plastic surgery has earned her numerous accolades and recognition for her skills and patient outcomes.
Dr. Bhat takes a compassionate, patient-centered approach to facelift surgery, focusing on both aesthetic goals and overall well-being. She works closely with each patient, considering their unique facial anatomy, goals, and lifestyle to achieve the best possible outcome.

Facelift At-A-Glance

Surgery Time: Approximately 2-6 hours, depending on the technique used by Dr. Bhat.
Price: Approximately $10,000–$30,000 (For an accurate cost, please inquire during your consultation).
Recovery: Most patients return to light activities within a week and fully recover in 2-4 weeks. They should see full results between several months post-op.
Results: Almost immediate improvement in breast shape and position, with final results visible as swelling subsides over a few months.

Facelift Basics

A facelift can be highly customized to each individual’s preferences and goals, addressing troublesome signs of aging in the face and neck. At Ravive Plastic Surgery, Dr. Bhat customizes each facelift using state-of-the-art techniques tailored to the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals. Depending on the degree of facial aging, various types of facelifts—ranging from full, deep-plane facelifts to mini facelifts—may be recommended.

Facelifts work by tightening the underlying facial muscles, removing excess skin, and repositioning fat and soft tissue to restore the youthful contours of the face. Dr. Bhat strategically places your incisions in the fine folds and creases of the skin, where scarring will remain discreet. Whether you’re experiencing sagging jowls, deep nasolabial folds, or a drooping mid-face, Dr. Bhat will help you select the most effective technique to achieve a refreshed, natural look.

Deep Plane Facelift

During a deep plane facelift, Dr. Bhat addresses the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), allowing her to preserve facial ligaments and achieve maximum mobilization of the underlying soft tissues. Repositioning the deeper tissues can restore a youthful facial contour while avoiding that “pulled back” or overdone appearance. Since the tension on your skin is minimal, you will experience a tension-free closure, accompanied by a dramatic and sustainable rejuvenation of your midface and nasolabial folds.

*Keep in mind that there is an ongoing debate in the plastic surgery community regarding which facelift technique is superior.

Mini Facelift

Also referred to as a “short scar lift,” a mini facelift comes with a shorter incision and is an excellent alternative to more in-depth cosmetic surgery for younger patients. The surgery procedure can be a good option for patients who want to address mild to moderate signs of aging but don’t require a full facelift. Patients who get a mini facelift are generally younger and have less sagging skin. Therefore, less facial skin is removed. A mini-facelift comes with less downtime compared to a traditional facelift and can be performed using local anesthesia.

Non-Surgical Facelift

If you’re not ready for surgery or want to delay it, non-surgical facelift options can provide subtle yet noticeable results with minimal downtime. These treatments can enhance facial volume, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and rejuvenate your appearance using advanced injectables and energy-based therapies.

At Ravive Plastic Surgery, Dr. Bhat offers a variety of non-surgical facelift solutions, including:

Dermal Fillers (Juvederm, Restylane) – Add volume to cheeks, under-eyes, and around the mouth
Neurotoxins (BOTOX, Xeomin, Dysport) – Smooth dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet and forehead lines

While the results are not as dramatic or long-lasting as those of a surgical facelift, these options are ideal for individuals with mild signs of aging or those seeking a temporary refresh.

Facelift For Men

Facelifts aren’t just for women—more men are turning to plastic surgery to maintain a youthful, confident appearance. A male facelift focuses on preserving masculine features while addressing common concerns, such as jowls, deep lines, and sagging skin.

Dr. Bhat tailors each procedure to suit her male patients’ unique anatomy and goals. Incisions are carefully placed to accommodate beard lines and thicker facial skin, ensuring a natural look that doesn’t appear “overdone.” Many male patients opt for a combination of facelift and neck lift procedures to refine the jawline and reduce a double chin, achieving a refreshed and revitalized look that remains authentic.

Blonde in black top in jungle - Facelift

What Are the Benefits of Facelift Plastic Surgery?

A standard facelift is likely the best option for patients with considerable mid-face sagging who want to address signs of aging in their lower face. A standard facelift surgery in Tampa can:

Contour the jawline
Get rid of deep creases
Improve the appearance of the nasolabial folds
Produce natural results
Reduce smile lines
Restore lifted cheeks
Tightens up sagging skin

Who are the Best Candidates for Facelift Surgery?

Ideal candidates for a facelift in Tampa are healthy, non-smoking individuals in excellent health who have positive yet realistic expectations for their results.

Other characteristics that make a good candidate for a Tampa facelift are:

Committed to good skincare
Dissatisfied with their facial appearance
Flexible skin
Has sagging facial tissues (i.e., deep wrinkles, jowls, double chin)
Near the desired target weight
Understand the procedure, recovery time, and risks
Non-smoker

What’s the First Step?

The first step to getting facial plastic surgery in Tampa with Dr. Bhat is to book your initial consultation. To get the most out of your facelift, prepare your questions in advance and conduct thorough research.

When you arrive for your consultation, you will sit down with Dr. Bhat to discuss your goals and medical history and ask any questions you might have. After conducting a physical examination, she will develop a surgical plan that she believes will yield the best results. Once you both agree, our patient coordinator will coordinate a surgery date.

5 Steps to Selecting a Facelift Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon is the most important step in your facelift journey. Here’s how to ensure you’re in the best hands:

Check Credentials
Select a plastic surgeon with in-depth education in facial procedures. Fellowship training, like Dr. Bhat’s, is an added bonus.
Schedule a Consultation
You should meet with the surgeon to ask questions, review your options, and discuss your goals. You should feel heard and never rushed.
Read Patient Reviews
Reputation matters. Look for testimonials that speak to both the surgeon’s skill and their bedside manner.
Ask About Customization
Your face is unique—your surgical plan should be too. A great surgeon tailors each procedure to the patient, not the other way around.

We will also provide you with detailed preoperative and postoperative instructions to help you prepare effectively and recover smoothly from your surgery.

What to Expect on the Day of Facelift

On the day of your facelift surgery, you will first be administered general anesthesia to make your experience more tolerable.

Once in the surgical suite, Dr. Bhat will begin making an incision near the temple, just above and in front of the ear. It will extend beneath the earlobe and stretch behind the ear, winding up in the hairline. The skin is gently lifted as she repositions and tightens the underlying muscles and connective tissue. Some fat and excess skin may be removed. For male patients, the incision will take into consideration the natural outline of the beard and facial hair patterns. In all cases, the incisions are placed where they will naturally fall in a skin crease to appear camouflaged.

After trimming the excess skin, Dr. Bhat closes your incisions using state-of-the-art suturing techniques, allowing for scars to fade and become inconspicuous. Surgery typically lasts from 4 to 6 hours.

After the procedure is complete, Dr. Bhat will apply a light dressing to protect your incisions and discourage fluid from collecting. One to two surgical drains will also be placed to promote the egress of any excess fluid.

Facelift Surgery Recovery

You will receive detailed postoperative instructions and see Dr. Bhat in the office one to two days after your surgery, and at regular intervals thereafter. She will remove your drains once the amount of fluid being collected falls below a certain number.

While you should be doing light activity daily to prevent blood clots, you should refrain from strenuous physical activity for six weeks. You should be able to return to work within 10-14 days, depending on your healing rate and how you feel, as well as the nature of your work. There will still be some swelling and bruising present, but it will subside over time and can usually be well concealed with a good application of makeup. Once the incisions have healed, they will be concealed within your hairline and blend with the natural contours of your face, resulting in a natural, rejuvenated, and refreshed appearance.

Recovery Steps After Getting a Facelift

Recovering from a facelift requires care, patience, and proper follow-up. Here’s what you can expect:

Days 1–3: Rest is key. Keep your head elevated and use cold compresses to reduce swelling. You can expect to feel some tightness and mild discomfort.
Week 1: Drains are typically removed, and sutures may start coming out. You’ll begin light walking to improve circulation.
Week 2: Most patients can return to non-strenuous work. Swelling and bruising continue to subside.
Weeks 3–4: You’ll start to look and feel more like yourself. Resume light exercise unless otherwise instructed.
6 Weeks+: Resume full physical activity. Most residual swelling resolves, and your refreshed appearance becomes more noticeable.

Following Dr. Bhat’s recovery plan ensures optimal healing and results. Adhering to post-op care, avoiding sun exposure, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will also help prolong your results.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Tampa, FL?

The cost of a facelift in Tampa is widely determined by Dr. Bhat’s facial rejuvenation techniques, the degree of change required to meet your desires, anesthesia fees, surgeon fees, and a few other factors. The best way to determine the cost is to attend your initial consultation. After Dr. Bhat has created your individualized treatment plan, we can offer you a detailed price breakdown for your procedure.

Why Choose Dr. Bhat?

If you’re interested in facelift surgery in Tampa, look no further than Deepa Bhat, M.D, at Ravive Plastic Surgery. Using a perfect blend of expertise, artistry, and personalized care, Dr. Bhat’s exceptional skills and extensive training make her the go-to expert for achieving a more rejuvenated and natural-looking facial appearance.

As one of the few fellowship-trained aesthetic plastic surgeons in Tampa, Dr. Bhat pays meticulous attention to detail. To obtain her fellowship, an additional year of aesthetic surgery training was required, following her previous seven years of residency and training. She understands that subtlety is crucial when it comes to facial plastic surgery, so she strives to achieve results that enhance your natural beauty without creating an overdone look. Her expertise will help you achieve a refreshed, youthful appearance that still reflects your unique style. Get ready to unleash your true beauty and discover a new level of confidence with Dr. Bhat by your side.

Additional Facelift Resources

We’re here to help with additional facelift resources. Take a look at the links below to learn more about facelift:

Schedule Your Consultation

Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you have to look it! For your facelift consultation in Tampa, please use our consultation request form or contact Ravive Plastic Surgery via telephone today.

Schedule A Consultation

Facelift FAQs

Your procedure questions answered.

Thanks to general anesthesia, your facelift surgery should be very comfortable, and your recovery process should be relatively smooth as well. You will be temporarily prescribed some pain medications to help your initial recovery, but many of our traditional facelift surgery patients have a pretty easy healing period. You may feel a slight tightness at first, which can be uncomfortable for some, but Dr. Bhat will provide you with specific instructions to make it easier for you.
Every patient's facelift recovery time will be different, but most patients will need to return for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Bhat within three to six weeks. These appointments typically occur a few days after surgery, a week after surgery, and then again every two to four weeks as needed. You will always be advised when it is time to return after each check-up.
Visible results from a facelift vary from patient to patient. Once the swelling and bruises dissipate over the first few weeks, you should notice a significant difference from before your surgery. However, most patients won’t see their full results until about three to six months post-surgery. Once your face has settled into its natural resting position, you can enjoy the results for an average of ten years or more.
Facelift surgery in Tampa is often performed in tandem with other procedures to achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated, and balanced appearance. Many of our facelift patients in Tampa combine their surgery with eyelid surgery, lip lift, and facial fat grafting. If you have specific aesthetic goals in mind for your appearance or are interested in additional procedures, please inform Dr. Bhat during your facelift consultation, and she will be more than happy to offer her expert recommendations.
Dr. Bhat takes her patients' health and safety very seriously, but, as with any surgery, there are potential risks and side effects associated with the procedure. For a facelift, risks include the following:
- Poor anesthesia reactions
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Nerve injury
- Muscle injury
- Fluid buildup
- Hematoma
- Changes in skin sensation and color
- Poor wound healing
- Poor scarring
If you experience any serious side effects or prolonged swelling, please contact our Tampa offices right away so we can assist you.
Non-surgical procedures can be a great treatment option for facial rejuvenation, but they will never replace a traditional facelift in terms of their ability to lift and tighten the face.

Noninvasive aesthetic solutions can soften the appearance of creases, lines, and wrinkles while also enhancing facial contours without the need for surgery. However, the results of these procedures are typically temporary. They need to be repeated to maintain the desired effect. Alternatively, these non-surgical modalities can be used to enhance cosmetic surgery.

There are many non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation, including dermal fillers, BOTOX, Xeomin, and Dysport. These treatments can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, add volume to the face, and enhance facial contours without the need for surgery. However, they will never be able to treat the face as robustly as a traditional surgical procedure.
Choosing the right surgeon for your facelift in Tampa involves research and careful consideration. Look for a surgeon who is trained in plastic surgery, experienced, and has a good reputation in the community. You should also feel comfortable with the surgeon and their team, feel that they listen to your concerns, and answer your questions thoroughly and professionally.
Yes, a neck lift is often combined with facial plastic surgery, which should pull back the neck contours and improve a double chin. Facial wrinkles and an aging neck can often cause a "turkey neck" appearance. With neck lift and facelift surgery, both the face and neck are positively impacted.
Facelift procedures are considered a type of facial plastic surgery that falls under the umbrella of facial rejuvenation, but they do not encompass it. Facial rejuvenation can also include other surgical procedures, such as a Neck Lift or Brow Lift, and non-surgical treatments like BOTOX or Fillers.
Fat grafting is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon takes fat from another area of the body and injects it into the face. With fat grafting, there is no need for neck reconstruction or facelift incision. Facial fat grafting will not improve the neck, as it's not a neck lift; however, it can give the face a beautiful and natural appearance.
You will be encouraged to engage in some light walking during your initial recovery, but avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for approximately six weeks to prevent swelling or delayed healing. Dr. Bhat will monitor your progress and notify you when it’s safe to resume your workouts.

I had my very first Botox and lip filler done by Dr. Deepa Bhat. She is very caring and is the sweetest. She made the process seamless and painless! I had no anxiety over what I’m going to look like after because I knew I was in great hands of an aesthetic plastic surgeon. I LOVE the natural results! I look more youthful and refreshed. I highly recommend her!

- Angela

Dr. Bhat is an amazing surgeon (and person)! I had an extended tummy tuck and lipo 360 and I have never been happier with the way I look. I healed without issue, my scar looks fantastic and most importantly, Dr. Bhat was there for me every step of the way. I would recommend Dr. Bhat to anybody looking to gain self confidence through surgery.

- Rachel

I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Bhat for lip filler and botox and it was a wonderful experience. She walked in the room with a warm smile and instantly put me at ease. She was very attentive and I felt that she really listened to my goals and desired outcome. She was gentle and meticulous and my lips turned out absolutely beautiful! My botox was placed perfectly as well. She made the experience easy and enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone and will be going to see her for my future cosmetic needs!

- Amanda

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