Case #7001
Face/Neck Lift
A woman in her 50s with jowling and midface volume loss underwent a deep-plane face and neck lift with brow lift, lip lift, and facial fat transfer.
A 56-year-old woman who had invested in herself with years of good skincare and nonsurgical treatments, but had more recently started to notice significant jowling and descent of her facial volume. Dr. Azadgoli performed a brow lift, deep-plane face and neck lift, lip lift, and autologous fat transfer to the face. She now has a more defined jawline and a better-supported midface, leading to a more refreshed look.
Compare side-by-side
Drag the handle to compare. Click anywhere to jump.
Why this approach
The decisions that shaped this surgical plan.
- Several procedures combined into one operative plan. The order, the tissue handling, and the recovery were all designed for the combined case, not bolted together from individual plans.
Pre-op preparation
What to do before surgery. Specific to this case.
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and fish oil discontinued 14 days pre-op to reduce bruising risk. Acetaminophen is allowed.
- Nicotine in any form — cigarettes, vapes, patches, gum — paused six weeks before and six weeks after surgery. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows wound healing.
- Set up an elevated sleeping arrangement — extra pillows or a wedge — to keep the head above the heart for the first week. Stock soft, low-sodium foods.
- Confirm a driver for surgery day and a companion who can stay through the first night.
- Combined procedure: recovery support extended to two weeks of household help when possible. Multiple procedures stack early-phase demand.
Recovery timeline
Milestones specific to this case. Individual recovery varies.
- Day 1–7
First week is rest, elevation, and ice. Expect the most swelling on day 3, then a steady downhill from day 5 onward.
- Week 2
Sutures or tape come off around day 7–10. Most patients are camera-ready for everyday life by the end of week 2 (lingering swelling, not bruising).
- Week 4
Facial contour 70–80 percent settled. Light cardio, yoga, and gentle facial massage cleared by the surgical team.
- Week 6
Combo cases hit full clearance later than single procedures. Expect week 6–8 for return to all activity.
- Month 3
Tissue settles into final position. Subtle technique details (jawline definition, tip refinement) become visible now.
- Month 6
Final aesthetic emerges. Last-mile adjustments (fat grafting, nipple reconstruction) typically scheduled now.
Continued care
Recommended aftercare, skincare, and MedSpa services for Face/Neck Lift.
- Recovery follows the longest-recovery component of the combined plan
- Head elevated for sleeping for the first 2 weeks
- Cold compresses for the first 72 hours; no vigorous activity for 3 weeks
- Help at home recommended for the first week
- Medical-grade silicone sheeting on all facial incisions
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic after week 2
- SPF 50+ on the face for life
- LED light therapy weekly for 8 weeks
- Lymphatic drainage starting week 2
- Fractional laser on healed incisions after 3 months
- Aftercare
Recovery plan tracks the longest-recovery procedure; assistance at home is the working assumption for 2 weeks.
Combination procedures stack recovery demand.
- Skincare
Medical-grade skincare reintroduced at week 3 — gentle retinoid alternative first, full actives by month 2.
Active skincare resumes on a healing-friendly ramp after facial surgery.
