By Dr. Beth Collins, double board-certified plastic surgeon
There is no single price for a facelift. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average surgeon’s fee for a facelift is $11,395, but that figure does not include anesthesia, the operating facility, or other related expenses, so a total cost will be higher. At The Collins Center, you receive a personalized quote after Dr. Collins evaluates your face and recommends a plan.
Here is what goes into a facelift quote, what drives the price up or down, and how to compare quotes with confidence.
What a facelift quote usually includes
When you compare prices, make sure you are comparing the same things. A complete surgical quote typically covers:
Always ask what is and is not included. A quote that looks lower at first may leave out anesthesia or facility fees that another practice includes.
Factors that affect the cost of a facelift
The technique
Not all facelifts are the same operation. A deep plane facelift, which Dr. Collins specializes in, releases supporting ligaments and repositions the deeper tissues of the face as a single unit. It is a more involved procedure than a skin-only or limited lift, and it requires significant surgical expertise.
How much correction you need
A mini facelift that addresses the jawline alone is a smaller procedure than a full facelift that includes the midface and neck. The more areas treated, the longer the surgery and the higher the cost.
Combined procedures
Many patients add procedures such as eyelid surgery, a brow lift, facial fat grafting, or laser resurfacing. Each adds to the total, although combining them can mean one anesthesia and one facility fee instead of two separate operations. Our article on combining a facelift with eyelid surgery covers the benefits and trade-offs.
The surgeon’s training and experience
ASPS notes that a surgeon’s fee reflects their experience, the type of procedure, and the geographic location of the practice. Experience matters in facial surgery because natural results depend on judgment as much as technique. Dr. Collins has been in practice for more than 16 years and performs an average of one to two facelifts a week.
Anesthesia and surgical time
Longer procedures require more anesthesia and facility time. A facelift at The Collins Center typically takes two to three hours, and adding procedures lengthens that.
Why the lowest quote is not always the least expensive
It is reasonable to compare prices. It is also worth comparing what you are getting. A facelift is surgery on your face, and the cost of correcting a result you are unhappy with, emotionally and financially, can far exceed the savings of a lower initial quote.
When comparing surgeons, look for:
Board certification in plastic surgery. You can confirm a surgeon’s status through the American Board of Plastic Surgery’s certification lookup.
Facelift experience. Ask how often the surgeon performs facelifts and which technique they use.
Before-and-after photos of their own patients. You can view Dr. Collins’s results in our facelift gallery.
A clear, itemized quote.
Complication protection. Dr. Collins participates in the CosmetAssure program, which covers patients against unexpected complications from covered elective procedures.
Paying for your facelift
The Collins Center offers patient financing through a third-party financing partner, subject to credit approval. Details are on our financing page, and our team can answer questions when you call either office.
There is a $150 consultation fee for surgical consultations with Dr. Collins.
How to get an accurate facelift quote
Schedule a consultation at our Guilford or Mystic office.
Discuss your goals. Dr. Collins will ask what bothers you most, whether that is the jawline, the neck, the midface, or the eyes.
Have a hands-on evaluation. She will assess your skin, underlying structure, and degree of sagging, and explain which approach fits your anatomy.
Receive a personalized plan and quote based on the procedures recommended for you.
Is a facelift worth the cost?
That depends on your goals. For patients with moderate to advanced sagging, a facelift addresses changes that skincare and injectables cannot fully correct. Because it repositions deeper tissues, a well-performed facelift can provide long-lasting improvement, although your face will continue to age naturally. Some patients also weigh the one-time cost of surgery against years of ongoing injectable treatments.
For patients with milder changes, injectables may be the better first step. Our article on facelift vs. fillers can help you think it through.
What to do next
The only way to know what a facelift will cost for you is a personalized evaluation.
Ready to talk through your options? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Collins at the office closest to you:
Guilford: Willow Hall, 2614 Boston Post Road, Suite 16C, Guilford, CT 06437 · (203) 689-5295 · Book at Guilford
Mystic: 55 Willow Street, Mystic, CT 06355 · (860) 572-6868 · Book at Mystic
You can also start with our online consultation form.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ASPS average include everything?
No. The ASPS average reflects the surgeon’s fee only. It does not include anesthesia, the operating facility, or other related expenses.
Is a deep plane facelift more expensive than a traditional facelift?
It is a more involved procedure that requires advanced expertise, which is reflected in the surgeon’s fee. Your quote will depend on your specific plan.
Can combining procedures save money?
It may. Combining a facelift with eyelid surgery or a brow lift can mean a single anesthesia and facility fee instead of paying for two separate operations. Combining also lengthens surgery, so it should be a medical decision first.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. We offer patient financing through a third-party partner, subject to credit approval. See our financing page for details.
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Results vary, and every procedure carries risks. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to learn which options are right for you.
About the author
Dr. Beth Collins is a double board-certified plastic surgeon, certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery, and the founder of The Collins Center in Guilford and Mystic, Connecticut. She completed her fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Emory University, followed by a specialty fellowship in breast shaping and body contouring. Dr. Collins has been in practice for more than 16 years and performs an average of one to two facelifts a week, with a focus on the deep plane technique. She is a clinical instructor who teaches cosmetic surgery to surgical residents at Yale, has spoken on panels at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Women’s Plastic Surgery Conference, and has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2023–2024).
