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Face Lift
Facelift surgery is the gold standard for addressing aging in the lower face and neck. Through removing excess skin, smoothing deep folds and repositioning the underlying tissues, a facelift with Dr. Meathrel can help you look refreshed and restored.
What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?
Facelift surgery helps you put your best face forward, allowing you to feel confident and comfortable in your skin as you progress through different stages of life.
In the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Meathrel, a facelift can:
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Tighten loose skin in the lower third or lower two-thirds of the face
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Lift and reposition underlying facial tissues
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Restore definition to the jawline
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Correct descent of the mid-face
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Smooth deep creases such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines
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Improve the appearance of "turkey neck"
The Bespoke Approach to Facelift Surgery
When a facelift is done well, the results look balanced and natural, perhaps even undetectable. When it is done poorly, the patient is left with a distinctive "pulled" or "windswept" appearance. These are the results the patient lives with for a decade or more.
At Bespoke Skin MD, Dr. Kim Meathrel uses modern facelift techniques to ensure the results are flattering, fresh, proportional and personalized. This often means focusing on the deeper structural layers of the face to avoid placing excessive tension on the skin, and it always means operating with respect for the patient's natural proportions and features.
Your facelift with Dr. Meathrel begins with a thorough assessment and planning process. Your care will be planned with a long view that considers how today's choices shape tomorrow's outcomes and treatment possibilities. The goal is to find the balance between surgery and art, leaving you with results you will love for years to come.
Meet Dr. Meathrel
Dr. Kim Meathrel has served Kingston since 2006. She combines world-class expertise with a sophisticated aesthetic eye, integrity, restraint and respect for each patient's unique identity.
"I aim to ensure that every intervention enhances who you already are and supports how you live. Your face, body and confidence are not replaceable."
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Certified Plastic Surgeon by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
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Undergraduate — BSc (Biology), Queen's University, Kingston
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Medical School — MD, Queen's University, Kingston
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Residency — Plastic Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton
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Burn Trauma Fellowship — Ross Tilley Burn Centre, Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto
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Cosmetic Plastic Surgery — Mentorship under Dr. Lloyd Carlsen, Toronto
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
An ideal candidate for a facelift is typically someone who is in good overall health and has realistic expectations about the procedure's results. The following are the characteristics of an ideal candidate:
Specific Concerns
Facelift candidates are usually individuals who:
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Experience sagging skin around the cheeks, jawline and neck
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Have deep facial folds or wrinkles (e.g., nasolabial folds, jowls)
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Notice a loss of definition in the jawline or neck
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Are bothered by the effects of aging on their facial appearance
Age
While there is no specific age limit, most people who seek facelifts are between the ages of 40 and 70, when the effects of aging become more pronounced. However, younger individuals with early signs of sagging skin or deep wrinkles may also consider the procedure.
Physical Health
Candidates should be in good physical health, without major medical conditions that could complicate surgery or recovery. This includes having healthy cardiovascular function and not being a smoker.
Skin Elasticity
Ideal candidates typically have good skin elasticity, which helps achieve smoother, more natural results. Younger patients may have more skin elasticity, but older individuals can still benefit, particularly if they have maintained good skin care.
Realistic Expectations
An ideal candidate has realistic expectations about the results. A facelift can rejuvenate the face, but it cannot stop the aging process. It can make you look younger and fresher, but it will not completely erase aging or prevent future changes.
Non-Smokers
Smoking interferes with the healing process and increases the risk of complications. Ideal candidates are non-smokers or willing to quit for several weeks before and after the procedure.
Stable Mental and Emotional Health
Ideal candidates are mentally prepared for the changes that come with surgery. They understand the risks, recovery process and limitations of the procedure, and they have a positive outlook on how it can improve their appearance. For patients seeking additional support before or after surgery, a registered psychotherapist, Katherine Kennedy, practices within the clinic.
Desire for Long-Lasting Rejuvenation
A facelift is not a temporary solution and provides long-lasting results (typically 7–10 years). An ideal candidate desires significant, lasting rejuvenation rather than opting for frequent nonsurgical treatments.
Bespoke
bi-ˈspōk
Specially made for a particular person
"Bespoke means built around you. Your anatomy, your concerns, your goals, your timeline, your life. We don't work from a menu, cookie-cutter packages or rigid protocols, and we don't recommend the same plan twice. Your treatment plan is shaped by what we see and hear during your consultation, backed by the sound judgment and long-term thinking that only come from years of experience. That is the standard we hold ourselves to for every patient, every time."
— Dr. Kim Meathrel, Plastic Surgeon & Medical Director
What Is Recovery Like After a Facelift?
The downtime for a facelift varies depending on the extent of the procedure, the individual's healing process and the type of facelift performed. Generally, most people can expect to resume normal activities within two to three weeks, but full recovery may take several months. Below is a detailed timeline of what to expect during your healing stages.
Immediately After Surgery (Days 1–3)
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Swelling, bruising and tightness are most pronounced during this time.
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Bandages and, in some cases, drains are applied to reduce swelling and fluid buildup.
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Patients should rest with their head elevated to minimize swelling.
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Activities are limited to light movements.
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You will be required to wear your surgical garment 24/7
First Week (Days 4–7)
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Bruising and swelling persist but may begin to subside.
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Stitches around the incision sites may be removed within 7 days.
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Pain and discomfort are manageable with medications.
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Gentle walking is encouraged to improve circulation.
Second Week (Days 8–14)
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Swelling and bruising continue to decrease but may still be visible.
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Many people feel comfortable resuming light, non-strenuous activities.
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Makeup can usually be applied to camouflage any residual bruising.
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Sensations like numbness, tingling or tightness may still occur around the incisions.
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Continue to wear surgical garments as directed by Dr. Meathrel.
Third to Fourth Week (Days 15–30)
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Most swelling and bruising have resolved by this time, and the face starts to look more natural.
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Patients often feel confident returning to work and social activities, provided they avoid strenuous physical exertion.
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Exercise, heavy lifting and activities that increase blood pressure should still be avoided.
Beyond One Month (Weeks 5–12)
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Residual swelling continues to diminish, and the final results become more apparent.
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Incision lines start to fade, but they may take several months to fully heal and blend with the surrounding skin.
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Patients can typically resume all normal activities, including intense exercise.
What Results Can a Facelift Achieve?
While improvements are often visible within a few weeks, it can take up to 6–12 months for the full results to stabilize and for incision lines to fade completely.
Patients typically notice smoother skin, a more defined jawline, a cleaner transition from the jaw to the neck, a softening of deep creases and a reduction in heaviness or sagging in the mid-face.
Dr. Meathrel plans every procedure around conservative endpoints. This means the goal is an outcome that looks natural at rest and in motion. A well-performed facelift is not immediately identifiable by others. They notice that you look well. They do not notice the surgery.
Are There Alternatives to Facelift Surgery?
There are several alternative treatments that can be used to address skin laxity and other signs of aging in the face and neck. These include:
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FaceTite: FaceTite: Uses radiofrequency energy to tighten and contour the face and neck. It is a nonsurgical alternative to traditional facelift surgery, and it can be used to treat sagging skin, wrinkles, and excess fat in the lower face and neck areas.
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Dermal fillers: Injectable dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, can be used to restore volume to areas of the face that have lost elasticity, helping to smooth wrinkles and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
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Botox: Botox is a neuromodulator that is used to relax the muscles responsible for wrinkles and fine lines, particularly in the forehead and around the eyes.
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Fotona 4D: The Fotona 4D facelift is a non-invasive, four-dimensional facelift procedure that uses laser technology to address the signs of aging in the face and neck. The procedure combines four different laser treatments to provide a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation
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Sculptra: Sculptra is a type of injectable dermal filler that is used to stimulate collagen production and restore volume to the face. The filler is composed of a biocompatible and biodegradable substance called poly-L-lactic acid, which is gradually absorbed by the body and stimulates collagen production in the skin.
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Facial fat grafting: Also known as fat transfer or autologous fat transplantation, facial fat grafting is a cosmetic procedure that involves removing fat from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and injecting it into the face to restore volume, improve contour and rejuvenate the appearance.
Can I Combine a Facelift With Other Procedures?
Yes, and in many cases, combining procedures produces a more cohesive outcome.
The most common procedures performed alongside a facelift are eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), brow lift surgery and fat grafting to restore volume in the midface or temples. When the neck requires more extensive correction than a facelift alone provides, a dedicated neck lift may be included as well.
On the nonsurgical side, skin resurfacing treatments are often included to improve texture and tone, as well as injectables to address volume loss or dynamic wrinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift Surgery
How long do facelift results last?
Most patients enjoy meaningful improvement for seven to 10 years after a facelift, and sometimes longer. Your face continues to age from its new baseline, but it will likely always look more youthful than it would have had you not had surgery. You can help preserve your results by reducing sun exposure, maintaining a stable weight, eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, using high-quality skincare products daily and seeking ongoing aesthetic care.
Are the scars visible after a facelift?
Facelift incisions are placed along the natural contours of the ear, the hairline and chin. They are designed to fade into these natural structures to limit visibility once they've healed. In the early weeks, your incision lines may appear pink or slightly raised. Over the following months, they typically mature to thin, flat lines that are difficult to detect in normal conversation.
When can I go back to work after a facelift?
Patients with desk-based work typically return at two to three weeks. Those in more physically demanding roles usually need three to four weeks. Being presentable in public and being fully recovered are different milestones. Honest planning at the consultation stage helps set expectations that match the actual timeline.
What are the risks of facelift surgery?
All surgery carries risk. The most common risks associated with facelift surgery include bleeding, infection, nerve injury, delayed healing, and anesthesia-related complications. Scarring, while typically minimal and well-concealed, is also a consideration. Dr. Meathrel will discuss these risks with you in detail during your consultation so you can make fully informed decisions.
How can I minimize downtime after facelift surgery?
Follow all aftercare instructions from Dr. Meathrel and her team. Use cold compresses during the initial days to reduce swelling. Avoid smoking, alcohol and sun exposure during recovery. Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins and proteins to promote healing.
At what age should I consider a facelift?
There is no single age that's right for everyone. Most patients who benefit from facelift surgery are in their late 40s to 60s, but the determining factor is the type and degree of change you're experiencing in your face and neck, not your age alone.
Book Your Facelift Consultation in Kingston
A facelift can take years off your appearance and help you preserve your sense of confidence and identity. To request a consultation with Ontario plastic surgeon Dr. Kim Meathrel, book online or contact Bespoke Skin MD at 613-549-7546. We look forward to being your partner on this journey.