Close up of brunette woman's profile - Facelift
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:

  1. Check Credentials
    Select a plastic surgeon with in-depth education in facial procedures. Fellowship training, like Dr. Bhat’s, is an added bonus.
  2. 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.
  3. Read Patient Reviews
    Reputation matters. Look for testimonials that speak to both the surgeon’s skill and their bedside manner.
  4. 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.

Woman touching her neck

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.

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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.

Facelift FAQs

Your procedure questions answered.

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Patient Resources

We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.