Facelift Before & Afters
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Atlanta, GA
People usually arrive at a facelift consultation with a list. The jawline has softened. Jowls have appeared. Skin gathers around the mouth or beneath the chin. Deep smile lines look heavier, even when the rest of the face still feels familiar. Creams, dermal fillers, and energy treatments may have helped for a time, but they cannot reposition facial tissues that have moved lower.
At Kerolus Facial Plastic Surgery, Julia Kerolus, MD, FACS, approaches facelift surgery as a question of anatomy and proportion. She is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who works exclusively on the face and neck. Her goal is to restore support without changing the facial features that make someone recognizable. A consultation at her Atlanta office covers the visible concerns, deeper facial structures, medical history, recovery, and the limits of each facelift technique.
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Surgery for the ageless
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that repositions sagging facial tissues and removes excess skin from the lower face and, when included, the neck. Modern facelift surgery places support in deeper tissue layers so the skin can be redraped with less tension.
Facial aging affects more than the surface. Skin loses elasticity, facial fat changes position, retaining ligaments loosen, and the supportive soft tissue layer beneath the skin descends. These changes can create jowls, loose skin, a heavier jawline, and deeper folds beside the mouth.
A facelift procedure can improve the cheeks, lower face, jawline, and neck, depending on the plan. It does not lift the brows, remove eyelid skin, or correct every wrinkle. It also does not change acne scars, pigment, or skin texture in the way laser resurfacing or another skin resurfacing treatment can. Comprehensive facial rejuvenation may require more than one carefully chosen procedure.
The operation primarily treats structural descent. It can soften deep smile lines by restoring nearby support, but it should not flatten every fold or remove the movement that gives a face character. Volume loss may need fat transfer or dermal fillers. Fine etched lines and discoloration belong in a skin-care or resurfacing plan. Keeping those jobs separate prevents one operation from being asked to solve problems it cannot reach.
Look Refreshed,
Not Redone
A well-planned surgical facelift restores support where facial tissues have descended. The change should make sense from the front, profile, and three-quarter view. Atlanta facelift surgeon Dr. Kerolus considers the cheeks, mouth, jaw, neck, and other facial features together so one corrected area does not look disconnected from the rest.
Benefits may include:
Facelift surgery can create a more youthful appearance, but it cannot stop aging or promise a particular number of years off the face. Natural-looking results depend on anatomy, surgical planning, healing, and a realistic endpoint. Skin care and non-surgical treatments may still play a useful role after surgery by supporting surface quality or treating concerns outside the facelift area.
Smooth out the wrinkles
A good facelift candidate has visible signs of facial aging that come from tissue descent: jowls, sagging cheeks, loose skin along the jaw, or neck laxity. Age alone does not decide candidacy. Some people consider an Atlanta facelift in their 40s because of genetics or early structural change. Others wait until their 60s or later. The condition of the tissues matters more than the birthday.
Health and expectations matter too. Facelift candidates should be medically stable, able to pause nicotine as directed, and prepared for a recovery period. No surgical facelift provides minimal downtime. People need time away from work, help during the first days, and patience while swelling settles.
During facelift consultation, Dr. Kerolus reviews medications, supplements, blood pressure, prior facial surgery, wound-healing history, and any condition that may affect anesthesia or recovery. She also looks at skin elasticity, hairline, ear anatomy, facial volume, asymmetry, and the relationship between the face and neck.
Someone with early changes may be better served by a mini facelift, dermal fillers, or another focused option. Someone whose main concern is skin texture may benefit more from laser resurfacing. Dr. Kerolus may recommend a different treatment, a second opinion, or no surgery when the expected change does not justify the operation.
The consultation tests if the requested change is technically reasonable. Atlanta facelift surgeon Dr. Kerolus examines the face at rest and in motion and asks which details matter most. This helps distinguish volume loss from tissue descent and skin laxity from surface damage. People can also discuss scars, anesthesia, time away from work, and support at home.
Facelift names can make the field sound simpler than it is. “Mini,” “traditional,” “SMAS,” and “deep plane” describe parts of an approach, but techniques vary among plastic surgeons. The useful questions are which layers will be released, where support will be placed, how the neck will be handled, and why that plan suits the face in front of the surgeon.
Non-surgical treatments and minimally invasive techniques occupy a different lane. Fillers replace selected volume, neuromodulators reduce muscle activity, and energy devices may improve mild laxity or texture. They can offer subtle improvements with less downtime, but they cannot remove substantial loose skin or reposition the deeper facial structures addressed during a surgical facelift. The right comparison is based on the tissue causing the concern, not the popularity of a treatment name.
A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS, in selected areas. The surgeon releases specific retaining ligaments and repositions the skin, SMAS, and attached deeper facial tissues as a connected unit. This can improve cheek descent, jowls, the jawline, and folds around the mouth while limiting the amount of pull placed on the skin closure.
The deep plane facelift procedure is an advanced technique that requires detailed knowledge of facial anatomy. It can be useful when aging changes involve the midface and lower face, or when the planned correction requires broader tissue mobility. A deep plane lift is not automatically the right choice for every person, and current evidence does not establish one facelift method as universally superior. Anatomy, prior surgery, goals, and the surgeon’s training guide the decision.
A mini facelift targets early jowling and mild lower-face laxity with a more limited dissection. It may use smaller incisions and address less tissue than a full facelift. The procedure can suit someone who has a defined neck and modest changes concentrated along the jawline.
“Mini” is not a standardized operation. It does not guarantee minimal downtime, invisible scars, or a small price. A limited procedure also cannot produce the same degree of change as a comprehensive facelift when facial aging involves the cheeks, jawline, and neck. Dr. Kerolus defines the exact technique before discussing recovery or expected results.
The superficial musculoaponeurotic system is a supportive tissue layer beneath the facial fat and skin. A traditional SMAS facelift may tighten, fold, trim, or elevate this layer before the skin is redraped. These methods address deeper support rather than relying on skin tension alone.
Traditional methods cover a broad group of operations, so the phrase does not identify one fixed procedure. A modern SMAS facelift can provide balanced, durable correction in the right person. The choice between an SMAS and deep plane approach should follow the anatomy and the surgeon’s ability to perform the selected method safely.
A neck lift may be performed alone or with a facelift. Neck surgery can address loose neck skin, excess fat beneath the chin, and visible platysma bands. When jowls and neck laxity develop together, treating both areas can create a smoother line from the jaw to the neck.
A facelift does not always include the same neck work. Some people need limited fat contouring. Others need direct platysma repair and skin removal. Dr. Kerolus examines chin projection, neck anatomy, and lower-face descent before deciding how much neck treatment belongs in the surgical plan.
The facelift procedure begins with a final review of the plan, incision placement, anesthesia, and postoperative instructions. Twilight sedation or general anesthesia may be used based on the operation, health history, and facility plan. The surgical setting and anesthesia team are selected according to the level of care required.
For a full facelift, an incision commonly begins near the temple hair, follows natural contours around the ear, passes in front of the ear where it can be concealed in a crease, and continues behind the ear into the lower scalp. Placement changes with hairline, sideburn position, sex, prior surgery, and the work planned for the neck.
Dr. Kerolus then elevates the necessary tissue and addresses the deeper support layer using the selected facelift technique. During a deep plane facelift, specific ligaments are released so the composite tissue can move without excessive skin tension. During a SMAS-based procedure, the SMAS may be tightened or repositioned by another method. Excess fat may be removed or redistributed when it contributes to heaviness.
Safety planning covers medical history, medications, nicotine, blood pressure, and anesthesia. Surgery should occur in a hospital or accredited surgery center equipped for the planned care. Dr. Kerolus explains the location, anesthesia team, discharge requirements, and warning signs beforehand.
After the deeper facial tissues are secured, excess skin is carefully removed. The skin is placed over the new contour without using it as the main source of lift. Fine sutures close the incisions. Careful placement can make scars less conspicuous, but every surgical incision leaves a scar. How incisions heal depends on blood supply, tension, genetics, nicotine exposure, sun protection, and aftercare.
For a younger profile
The recovery process has stages. Swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness, and temporary asymmetry are expected during the first days. Discomfort is usually managed with prescribed or approved medication, while pressure and stiffness may be more noticeable than sharp pain.
Keep the head elevated and follow Dr. Kerolus’s instructions for dressings, bathing, incision care, and activity. A responsible adult should drive you home and stay for at least the first night. Many people appreciate help for two to four days. Short walks support circulation, but bending, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise must wait.
Bruising and swelling commonly improve over the first two weeks. Following a facelift Atlanta patients may feel ready for desk work or social plans after about two weeks, though makeup, hairstyle, and comfort with residual swelling affect that decision. Numbness and firmness can last longer. Exercise usually returns in stages over several weeks after Dr. Kerolus confirms that healing is on track.
Lymphatic massage should be performed only when the surgical team recommends it and explains the technique. Some people ask about hyperbaric oxygen therapy after cosmetic surgery. It is not routine facelift aftercare and should be considered only when the treating physicians identify a medical reason.
Call the practice for rapidly increasing swelling, one-sided firmness, heavy bleeding, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, worsening redness, severe pain, or new facial weakness. Early communication matters. Dr. Kerolus remains involved throughout the recovery process and provides surgical patients direct access for urgent questions.
Erase the years
Early improvement becomes visible as bruising clears, but the face is still swollen and firm. The jawline and neck usually become easier to appreciate during the first month. Deeper swelling continues to settle over three to five months, and scars keep maturing for a year or longer.
Good surgical outcomes restore natural facial balance without erasing expression or family traits. A youthful contour should still move like a face, look coherent beside the eyes and forehead, and remain believable in normal light. Perfect symmetry is not a realistic endpoint because every face begins and heals with normal side-to-side differences.
Visible scars are part of every facelift. Incisions usually fade as healing progresses but do not vanish. The front-of-the-ear incision, temple hair, lower scalp, and any under-chin incision are checked during follow-up. Sun protection and Dr. Kerolus’s scar plan support healing. Report thickening, widening, drainage, or persistent irritation.
Facelift results are long-lasting, though no result is permanent in the literal sense. Most people can expect a meaningful improvement for many years, and commonly a decade or longer, while aging continues. Genetics, skin elasticity, weight changes, sun exposure, nicotine, and the original degree of facial aging influence longevity.
A facelift lifts sagging skin and repositions deeper tissue. It does not correct every surface concern. Laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or other skin treatments may be considered for fine lines, sun damage, acne scars, and texture. Dermal fillers or fat transfer may address volume loss that surgery alone will not replace.
Facelift cost reflects the scope and complexity of surgery. A mini facelift, SMAS facelift, deep plane facelift, combined neck lift, and revision procedure require different operating time and planning. Anesthesia, facility care, and additional procedures also affect the total.
Deep plane surgery and combined facial rejuvenation may fall toward the higher end. Pricing can change, and only a consultation can establish an accurate quote.
Your written estimate will explain the fees included, such as:
Cosmetic facelift surgery is generally not covered by insurance. Financing options may be available for qualified applicants. The practice will explain payment timing and any costs associated with additional procedures before surgery is scheduled.
Dr. Julia Kerolus is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Her training includes a five-year head and neck surgery residency and an advanced facial plastic surgery fellowship in Beverly Hills. Her experience spans cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, facial nerve care, and revision surgery.
That background keeps the consultation grounded in anatomy. Dr. Kerolus examines facial movement, tissue descent, volume, skin quality, scars, and the relationship between the face and neck. She explains which areas a facelift can improve, which concerns need another treatment, and which features are better left alone.
Her practice is devoted to facial plastic surgery rather than breast surgery or body contouring procedures. People who choose facelift surgery receive direct involvement from Dr. Kerolus from the first consultation through follow-up care. To discuss a facelift in Atlanta, GA, schedule a visit at the West Paces Ferry office.
Facelift surgery is performed with anesthesia, so people should not feel the operation itself. During recovery, tightness, pressure, tenderness, and numbness are common. Medication helps manage discomfort. Pain that becomes severe, rapidly worsens, or occurs with one-sided swelling needs prompt contact with the surgical team.
Risks include bleeding or hematoma, infection, fluid collection, anesthesia complications, poor wound healing, skin loss, prolonged swelling, numbness, hair loss near incisions, unfavorable scars, asymmetry, and temporary or permanent facial nerve weakness. Individual risks depend on health, anatomy, medications, nicotine use, blood pressure, prior surgery, and the planned technique. Dr. Kerolus reviews these issues before consent.
Yes. You will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you after discharge. Anesthesia, prescribed medication, fatigue, and limited neck movement make driving unsafe. The practice will provide instructions for how long assistance is required based on the procedure and recovery plan.
Many facelift results remain meaningful for 10 years or longer, but longevity varies. Surgery changes the current position of facial tissues; it does not stop future aging. Skin quality, genetics, weight stability, sun exposure, nicotine use, and the extent of correction all influence how the face changes over time.
Many people take about two weeks away from desk work and public-facing commitments. Some need longer because of bruising, swelling, fatigue, or combined procedures. Physical jobs require more time. Social recovery is different from complete healing, which continues for months.
The plan should preserve recognizable facial features while restoring support to descended tissue. The objective is a natural appearance, not a new identity. Results can still look obvious during early swelling, so the final judgment should wait until the face has softened and settled.
Yes, when health and operative time allow. Common combinations include a neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery. Skin resurfacing or volume restoration may also be staged or combined. Adding procedures increases recovery demands, so the most involved operation usually sets the restrictions.
There is no fixed best age. A facelift becomes reasonable when structural facial aging is significant enough to justify surgery and less invasive options cannot provide the desired change. Good health, stable expectations, skin quality, and readiness for recovery matter more than a number.
A facelift is a serious decision involving scars, anesthesia, recovery, and real tradeoffs. A useful consultation should make those tradeoffs clearer. Meet with Dr. Kerolus in Atlanta to learn which facelift approach fits your anatomy, what recovery will require, and what degree of change is realistic.
Schedule a Consultation
Taking care of yourself is about more than just annual check-ups and eating right. You also want to preserve your ability to look and feel your best. If you feel like you have an area that you want to improve through plastic surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kerolus. She will make sure you find the right treatment for your best results.
1218 West Paces Ferry Road Northwest, Suite 108, Atlanta, GA 30327
Mon-Thurs: 9am - 5pm
Fri: 9am - 1pm
