Face Lift Surgery

A personalised approach to restoring definition through the lower face, jawline and neck while preserving your natural facial character.

What is a face lift?

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to address visible changes in the lower face and jawline that develop with ageing, genetics, sun exposure or significant weight loss.

Over time, the skin and deeper facial tissues can lose elasticity and descend. This may contribute to jowling, reduced jawline definition, heaviness through the lower face and loose skin around the face and upper neck.

Facelift surgery repositions and supports these deeper tissues before carefully redraping the skin. The aim is not to create a tight or dramatically different appearance, but to produce a more defined and balanced contour while preserving the features that make you look like yourself.

Depending on your anatomy and concerns, the procedure may be combined with neck lift techniques, liposuction beneath the chin or other facial procedures. Your treatment plan will be tailored following a detailed assessment of your face, jawline, neck, skin quality and personal goals.

Is a facelift right for me?

A facelift may be suitable when the changes you are noticing are caused by loose skin and descent of the deeper facial tissues, rather than concerns limited to skin texture or fine lines.

You may be considering facelift surgery if you have noticed:

  • jowling or heaviness along the jawline

  • reduced definition between the face and neck

  • loose skin through the lower face

  • changes that have not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments

There is no single “right age” for a facelift. Suitability depends more on your anatomy, skin quality, general health and treatment goals.

During your consultation, Dr Katie-Beth Webster will assess what is contributing to the changes you can see and explain whether facelift surgery, another procedure or a non-surgical treatment is likely to be most appropriate.

Your facelift journey

Facelift surgery is a highly individual process, and the procedure and recovery will vary depending on your anatomy, concerns and treatment plan. Understanding each stage can help you feel more informed and prepared as you consider surgery.

From your initial consultation through to the final result, Dr Katie-Beth Webster will guide you through what to expect, provide personalised advice and support you throughout your recovery.

  • Your consultation begins with a detailed discussion about the changes you have noticed, the areas that concern you and what you would like surgery to achieve.

    Dr Webster will assess your facial proportions, skin quality, underlying tissue descent, jawline, neck contour and the relationship between the different areas of your face. Your medical history, medications, smoking status, previous treatments and factors that may affect healing will also be reviewed.

    Not everyone requires the same operation. For some patients, the primary concern is jowling through the lower face. For others, the neck, eyelids, brow, skin quality or facial volume may also contribute to the overall appearance.

    Dr Webster will explain which changes are likely to respond to facelift surgery, the technique she recommends and what can realistically be achieved. You will also discuss scars, recovery, potential risks and whether any complementary procedures should be considered.

  • Facelift surgery is performed under anaesthesia in an accredited hospital setting.

    The exact technique will depend on your anatomy and surgical plan. Incisions are generally positioned around the natural contours of the ear and may extend into the hairline. Through these incisions, the deeper facial tissues can be repositioned and supported before the skin is redraped without excessive tension.

    Where required, the procedure may also involve treatment of the neck, liposuction beneath the chin, tightening of the platysma muscle or other techniques to improve the relationship between the lower face, jawline and neck.

    The length of surgery and whether an overnight hospital stay is recommended will depend on the extent of the procedure and whether other treatments are performed at the same time.

  • Swelling, bruising, tightness and temporary changes in sensation are expected after facelift surgery. A dressing may be placed around the face, and temporary drains may sometimes be used to remove excess fluid.

    The first week is generally the most noticeable stage of recovery. You will need time to rest, sleep with your head elevated and follow detailed instructions regarding wound care, medications and activity.

    Swelling and bruising commonly improve significantly over the first one to two weeks, although some residual swelling, firmness or altered sensation can remain for longer. Many patients plan approximately two weeks away from work and social commitments, but the appropriate timeframe varies according to the procedure, your work and how you heal.

  • You may notice an improvement in the jawline and lower-face contour once the early swelling begins to resolve, but the result will continue to develop over several months.

    The tissues gradually soften and settle, scars mature and temporary tightness or altered sensation generally improves. Incisions are placed as discreetly as possible, but facelift surgery always results in permanent scars.

    A facelift cannot stop the ageing process. Your face will continue to change naturally over time, although the improvement achieved through surgery is generally long-lasting.

    Outcomes vary between patients and will depend on factors including anatomy, skin quality, healing and the surgical approach used.

Why choose Dr Katie-Beth Webster?

As a specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Katie-Beth Webster takes an individualised and considered approach to facial surgery.

Facelift planning involves more than tightening loose skin. It requires an understanding of facial anatomy, tissue descent, proportion and the interaction between the face, jawline and neck.

During your consultation, Dr Webster will assess the changes affecting your appearance and explain which concerns can reasonably be addressed through surgery. She will discuss the available options, expected recovery, scarring, risks and limitations so that you can make a properly informed decision.

Her focus is on providing evidence-based care and developing a surgical plan that respects your anatomy and preserves your natural facial identity.

Considering a face lift?

A consultation can help you understand what is contributing to the changes you have noticed and whether facelift surgery is the most appropriate option.

Dr Katie-Beth Webster will assess your face, jawline and neck, discuss the outcome you are seeking and explain the treatment options available to you.

Dr Katie-Beth Webster offers Face Lift consultations in Melbourne, with appointments available in Box Hill and East Melbourne.

Book a consultation

Common questions about Face Lift surgery

  • A facelift may be suitable when the changes you are noticing are caused by loose skin and descent of the deeper facial tissues, rather than concerns limited to skin texture or fine lines.

    You may be considering facelift surgery if you have noticed:

    • jowling or heaviness along the jawline

    • reduced definition between the face and neck

    • loose skin through the lower face

    • changes that have not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments

    There is no single “right age” for a facelift. Suitability depends more on your anatomy, skin quality, general health and treatment goals.

    During your consultation, Dr Katie-Beth Webster will assess what is contributing to the changes you can see and explain whether facelift surgery, another procedure or a non-surgical treatment is likely to be most appropriate.

  • The aim of facelift surgery is to improve lower-face and jawline definition while maintaining your natural facial character.

    Dr Webster plans the procedure around your anatomy and proportions rather than trying to create a standardised appearance. The deeper tissues are repositioned and supported before the skin is redraped, helping to avoid relying on excessive skin tension.

    You should expect to look swollen and temporarily different during the early recovery period. As swelling resolves and the tissues settle, the result should become softer and more natural.

  • Facelift incisions are generally positioned within the hairline and around the natural contours of the ear. They may extend behind the ear and into the lower scalp, depending on the technique and whether the neck is also being treated.

    The precise scar pattern varies according to the operation required.

    Scars are permanent, although they commonly soften and fade as they mature. Their final appearance depends on individual healing, genetics, skin quality, scar care and other factors

  • Facelift results are generally long-lasting, but surgery does not stop the ageing process.

    The face will continue to change with time, genetics, sun exposure, weight fluctuations and lifestyle factors. However, the tissues usually remain in an improved position compared with where they would have been without surgery.

    There is no single timeframe that applies to every patient, and some people may consider further treatment later in life.

  • Many patients plan around two weeks away from work and social commitments, although some may feel comfortable returning sooner and others may prefer additional time.

    Bruising and swelling are most noticeable during the early recovery period and generally improve progressively over the first two weeks. Residual swelling, firmness or altered sensation can continue after you feel ready to resume normal activities.

    Your recovery timeframe will also depend on the nature of your work and whether other procedures have been performed at the same time.

  • Most patients describe tightness, swelling, pressure or discomfort rather than severe pain. Symptoms are usually most noticeable during the first several days and can generally be managed with the prescribed pain relief.

    Temporary numbness, tingling or altered sensation can also occur as the tissues heal.

    Pain that is severe, worsening or associated with sudden one-sided swelling should be reported promptly because it may require medical assessment

  • All surgery carries risks and limitations.

    Potential risks of facelift surgery include bleeding, haematoma, infection, delayed wound healing, visible or widened scarring, asymmetry, contour irregularity, fluid collection, prolonged swelling and changes in skin sensation.

    Less common but important risks include injury to branches of the facial nerve, skin or hair loss around the incisions, persistent pain, blood clots, anaesthetic complications and the need for further surgery.

    Smoking and certain health conditions can increase the risk of healing complications. Dr Webster will discuss the risks relevant to your health and proposed procedure during the consultation and consent process