• Anesthesia:
    Local with sedation
  • Duration:
    3-4 hours
  • Pain level:
    4/10
  • Recovery time:
    10 to 15 days
  • Resuming physical activities:
    Four weeks

A facelift procedure is a delicate surgery used to lift the skin of the face and neck and tighten underlying tissues in order to reverse the effects of aging.

As we age, our skin naturally loses its elasticity. As a result, we begin to see deflation and the descent of facial structures such as the cheek. The appearance of fine lines, deeper folds, and sagging fat pads become more prominent, giving us a tired appearance.

Dr. Perry Gdalevitch is known for producing attractive, beautiful, and natural-looking facelift results that make you look more youthful, rejuvenated, and rested. With her experience and expertise, you will look 10 to 15 years younger!

Patients who are good candidates for this procedure

  • Are at a stable and healthy weight
  • Have no significant medical problems
  • Non-smokers
  • Not on blood thinners
  • Have loose and sagging facial skin/fat pads such as jowls or nasolabial folds
  • Desire a more defined jawline

Patients who are poor candidates for this procedure

  • Obese (want or need to lose weight)
  • Smoker
  • Have serious medical problems
  • On blood thinners

Are you a good candidate?

Our Self-Evaluation Quiz can help you decide if a facelift is the right procedure for you.

Techniques for Facelift

The scar of a facelift usually runs within the anterior hairline, just behind the cartilage at the front of the ear, and then around the ear lobe, behind the ear and into the posterior hairline. A small incision under the chin is often used as well to help address the neck laxity. When healed, it is difficult to detect the scars of a facelift.

During Surgery, Dr. Gdalevitch will make the incision to access the underlying tissues of the face. This includes the top layers of skin, as well as the deeper layers of musculature referred to as the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS). She will then lift and suture the tissues into a very natural position, removing any excess skin that no longer sits firmly on the restored tissues.

Eyelid surgery can also be combined with a facelift to complete your facial rejuvenation.

Discover the procedure through live surgeries

Facelift presentation

Facelift procedure

Consent for Facelift

Pre op instructions for Facelift

At Phi Plastic Surgery, we believe that a beautiful body can take many shapes and sizes. The Phi philosophy centers on respecting your body's proportions and helping you let your inner beauty shine.

We offer our patients the best, most advanced techniques to help them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Pre-op & post-op instructions

These pre-surgical and post-surgical instructions are provided as essential services for you. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure optimum results. If there are instructions that need to be clarified, please feel free to contact our office as soon as possible. If some instructions are not followed, your surgery could be delayed if deemed necessary by your surgeon.

Pre-op INSTRUCTIONS

ONE MONTH before your surgery

  • Stop using contraceptive pills or hormone therapy.
  • A pre-operative visit (if necessary) approximately one month before your surgery will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

THREE WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop all consumption of collagen
  • Complete your preoperative tests. Be sure to complete all prescribed pre-operative tests (ECG blood tests, etc.). If all medical results and clearances of your tests are not received on time, your surgery may be delayed.
  • Prepare your surgery date: Plan to ensure a stress-free experience. Arrange your work leave and special assistance to help you with ride home. Prepare your return by organizing meals, delivery, babysitting, etc. Make sure you have someone scheduled to accompany you home after your surgery. Someone should also be on-call to help you during the first 24 hours after your surgery.

TWO WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • A preoperative visit (if necessary), approximately two weeks before your surgery, will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

SEVEN DAYS before your surgery

  • Stop taking any supplements or medications from the list below. These products can increase the risk of bleeding and other complications. Stop consuming any non-prescribed supplements including: Omega 3-6, nutricap, echinacea, glucosamine, fat burners, St. John’s wort. Aspirin, drugs containing aspirin or any anticoagulants such as arixtra pf, clopidogrel, plavix, coumadin, dalteparin, edoxaban, eliquis, apixaban, enoxaparin, fragmin pfsyringe, lepirudin, padaxa, dabigatran etexilate, xarelto, rivaroxaban.
  • Confirm your surgical support plan: This includes your transportation and post-surgical care, including an adult family member or a friend on-call for your support, 24 hours after your surgery.
  • Purchase any prescription provided by Dr. Gdalevitch (If applicable) and revise your pre-surgical instructions.

The day BEFORE your surgery

Prepare a bag. It should include:

  • All necessary papers
  • Your identification (RAMQ card)
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Glasses if necessary
  • Confirm the person who will assist you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Take a shower. Use a non-perfumed soap. Wash your hair. Do not put cream or lotions. Do not put deodorants, hair products, perfumes, or makeup.
  • Remove any nail varnish (even if transparent) from your hands and feet, including shellac, resin, gel or acrylic. All this reduces the risk of post-surgical infections and nails are monitored for blood circulation.
  • Do not eat anything or drink any dark liquids for 8 hours before your surgery. Do not drink any light liquids 6 hours before your surgery. Anything you eat can cause cancellation of your surgery and increase the risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia. This includes sweets, mints, chewing gum, tea or coffee. You can take a very small amount of water after brushing your teeth or taking medication.
  • Relax. Enjoy a good night’s sleep and avoid stress.

YOUR SURGERY DAY

  • If you wish to have oral sedation, do not eat or drink 4 hours before the surgery. Present yourself at the time confirmed to you by a staff member one week before.
  • Do not train before surgery.
  • Please bring your medications which have been prescribed to you in a bag as above.
  • Please bring your compression socks if they have been prescribed to you.
  • Do not wear any make-up, jewellery, contact lenses, hairpin or piercings: during surgery, an electric cautery is used, any piercing or jewellery can cause burns.
  • Wear light and comfortable clothing. Wear a top that opens forward. Do not wear a sweater, turtleneck or tight clothing. You can wear a skirt, but pants and a jogging jacket are ideal. Flat shoes should be worn that are easy to put on and remove (no heels). A lip balm is recommended.

post-op instructions

When you get home

You can expect to have pain and feel like your neck is very tight. For your comfort we recommend:

  1. Keep your head elevated (semi sitting position)
  2. Take extra strength Tylenol every 4 hours
  3. Take a medication like gravol 30 minutes before taking your prescribed pain medication to avoid nausea and
  4. Take the pain medication as prescribed around the clock for 48 hours
  5. Take your antibiotics if prescribed
  6. Avoid turning your head

Please contact us immediately if you experience any of the following

  • You have a fever of > 38.5
  • Severe nausea or vomiting
  • Are experiencing hallucinations or unusual behaviour
  • Your pain is not controlled with the pain medication
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Severe bruising around the neck or difficulty breathing

The day after surgery

  • You will be seen the following day to remove your drain if you have one
  • You can expect the pain to decrease after 48 hours
  • It is best to keep your head elevated as much as possible to prevent swelling
  • You can shower 48 hours after surgery

Healing and follow up

  • You will be swollen for 1-2 months
  • You should wear your face and neck garment to help limit the swelling
  • You should rest for 1 week
  • You will have a follow up appointment in 1 week to remove your stitches
  • You can leave the house after 1 week with make up

The final result will be seen around 2-3 months. Scars continue to improve over 6 months to a year.

Your results

While recovering from a facelift, patients can expect to see some areas of bruising and swelling. This will significantly improve by week two but will continue to decrease over the next six weeks. Pain can be managed with medications during the first week after surgery.

Facelift surgery will help you obtain a youthful, rejuvenated appearance and will accomplish the following:

  • Lift and tighten soft tissues of the face (cheek, jowls)
  • Remove excess sagging skin
  • Address aging concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, deep folds, and volume loss
  • Increase self-confidence that comes with rested and rejuvenated face

The result restores your facial contour accentuating your natural facial beauty and shape.

View most frequently asked questions

What are the different facelift techniques?

A facelift can include 1 to 3 thirds of the face: the forehead, the midface, and the neck. Generally, a typical facelift consists of the midface and neck, while a mini facelift includes only the midface.

The most practiced technique today is a subcutaneous technique with SMAS plication. This is the technique used by Dr. Gdalevitch.

How is a facelift procedure done?

The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation. The skin of the cheek and neck is lifted off, and the deeper layer (SMAS layer) is then lifted to perform the facelift. The procedure lasts about 4 hours.

What should I expect after a facelift?

You will have a compression garment to wear and will have to sleep in a semi-sitting position to avoid swelling. The pain is well controlled with medication. You should expect to recover at home for one week. In the second week, you can go out but will continue to wear the garment as much as possible. The stitches will be removed after one week during your postoperative visit.

What scars will I have after a facelift?

The mini facelift scar begins at the top and in front of the ear and ends behind the earlobe. For the traditional facelift (midface/neck), the scar extends behind the ear and along the posterior hairline.

How many years do the results of a facelift last?

The results last a long time. Aging will continue but will be less pronounced.

How much does the procedure cost?

Facelift (+ neck lift)

starting at $15,000

For a more beautiful and proportional you!

φ Phi is the Greek symbol that indicates the golden ratio, a ratio that is synonymous with beauty.

Dr. Perry Gdalevitch offers a unique approach that involves applying the principles of perfect proportions (phi) to help you achieve your aesthetic and reconstructive goals.

PHI Surgery, Dr Perry Gdalevitch
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