Understanding the Real Costs of Facelift Surgery By dsherris on July 16, 2015

The beauty of modern plastic surgery is that most procedures can be personalized to a degree that was not possible even at the turn of the 21st century. Of all facial rejuvenation procedures, facelift surgery may be the most customizable, especially when it is performed by a plastic surgeon with the experience, skills, and keen artistic eye of Dr. David A. Sherris. Using his intimate knowledge of the anatomy of the face, the information he gathers during his consultations with patients, and mastery of various facelift techniques, he is able to produce consistently outstanding results for his patients, whether they require subtle refinements or dramatic reinventions.

It stands to reason that, as the facelift procedure itself can be customized to such varying degrees, the cost of the procedure can vary fairly dramatically as well. Indeed, while you may be frustrated in your attempts to find an exact number for how much facelift surgery would cost in your case, you may find some comfort in knowing that no reputable plastic surgeon could provide you with such a number without first meeting with you, reviewing your case, and discussing your aesthetic goals. This is why Dr. Sherris only discusses exact facelift costs during consultations at his Buffalo practice.

So how much will your facelift surgery cost? We invite you to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Sherris today to find out.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Facelift Surgery

Let’s start by getting one obvious thing out of the way: facelift surgery requires a significant investment on the part of the patient. When the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the average cost of a facelift in 2014 was $6,550, you’re basically getting the tip of a very complicated iceberg. A lot of factors influence the cost of facelift surgery, and it is possible that your surgery - whether you have it done at Dr. Sherris’ office or 3,000 miles away - will cost somewhat less or substantially more than that figure.

Here are some of the factors that can influence the cost of your facelift surgery:

The experience and training of the plastic surgeon: Be wary of plastic surgeons that advertise the low cost of their services over their experience, training, and history of success. Look for a board-certified surgeon, such as Dr. Sherris (who has actually earned certification from two boards: the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology). Do your homework on any surgeon before you entrust your face to him or her.
The type of facelift surgery you choose to undergo: Dr. Sherris offers five basic types of facelifts: posterior, mini, mid face, standard (or full), and deep plane. Each of these addresses different needs and stages of visible aging; each, therefore, involves different costs. In recent years, the mini and mid face lifts have become increasingly popular. These modified facelifts tend to be considerably less expensive than full and deep plane facelift surgery, which has skewed the “average cost” number published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. As a result, many patients who wish to undergo more comprehensive facelift surgery initially experience something akin to “sticker shock” when they find out that their facelift surgery will cost much more than the “average.”
The various fees: Many surgeons who do publish costs on their websites are less than forthcoming about the actual total costs of their procedures. They might publish their fees - the surgeon’s fees - but not include other fees, such as the anesthesiologist’s fee, the facility or hospital fee, and other possible costs. Plus, keep in mind that you may have costs for medicine and other post-surgical items associated with your recovery. It can all add up. Fortunately, patients of Dr. Sherris will be advised of all costs up front so that there will be no unpleasant “surprises” after their surgeries.
The cost of a “bargain”: Some patients go with the lowest-priced surgeon as opposed to the surgeon with the most experience or the best credentials. While it would be unfair to claim that all inexperienced surgeons are incapable of producing excellent results - every surgeon has to start somewhere - low-priced plastic surgery isn’t a bargain if you have to turn to a reputable plastic surgeon such as Dr. Sherris to have your unsatisfactory facelift results revised. It is far more cost-effective to entrust your case to someone who is highly likely to do the job right the first time around than to risk your safety and appearance for the sake of saving money.