We're worth the trip!
As a destination practice offering world-class care, the Quatela Center attracts patients from around the globe. Our virtual consultations and support program take the effort out of travelling for surgery.
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Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery
973 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 244-1000
Fax: (585) 271-4786
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery
973 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 244-1000
Fax: (585) 271-4786
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Women and men from Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester, NY, know that for facelift results that look remarkable, yet natural, the Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery is the place to go. Cosmetic surgery patients even come from across the U.S. and fly in from Europe for Dr. Vito Quatela’s record of excellence with this procedure. He uses advanced surgical techniques refined over the past 30 years to create beautiful results that restore a rested, more youthful appearance that better reflects one’s energy and vitality. Dr. Quatela and facial plastic surgeons Dr. Heather Lee and Dr. Alex Montague perform facelift surgery to take years from a person’s appearance by lifting and smoothing the skin, fat, and muscle in the lower third of the face and the neck, correcting unwanted lines, jowls, and neck bands.
If you want to discuss your aesthetic concerns with one of our surgeons, request your consultation using our online form or call our office at (585) 244-1000 to have a member of our staff schedule your appointment.
Dr. Vito C. Quatela is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Quatela is a past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is highly respected by his peers as a recognized expert in all areas of facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty, facelift, and other facial procedures.
Dr. Heather Lee is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist who has trained extensively with Dr. Quatela. She specializes in both aesthetic and functional procedures and is known for her meticulous surgical results and compassionate care.
Dr. Alex Montague is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist who trained under Dr. Quatela for a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship. He has exemplary skills in both technique and patient care and specializes in aesthetic and functional procedures.
The best facelift candidates are healthy women and men who are concerned about jowls, lines and sagging in the lower third of their faces and necks. It is important to have realistic expectations about the possibilities and limitations of facial plastic surgery. Most of the people who visit our surgeons for face lift surgery in Rochester are between 45 and 70, but those who are both younger and older may benefit from this procedure as well.
The first step in deciding if you are a good candidate for a facelift is to meet with one of our surgeons for a private, personal consultation.
“I went to Dr. Quatela to fix my jowls, sagging neck and give me my jawline back. He recommended a facelift with some liposuction under my chin. He also recommended a chin implant. I was extremely comfortable with Dr. Quatela, as he was interested in what I wanted, (and) he encouraged me to choose the options that I was comfortable with.”
Individual results may vary.
Review on RateMDs
During your cosmetic surgery consultation, your surgeon reviews your health history and listens to you describe your primary aesthetic concerns. Additionally, your face and neck will be carefully examined to assess your bone structure, your skin’s elasticity, and your personal characteristics and concerns. The consultation is an important opportunity to discuss your short and long-term cosmetic goals and ask questions about your treatment options. Your surgeon will explain the facelift procedure, what you can expect during recovery and potential complications.
Reviewing current before & after photos of our patients is also an important part of the consultation, and gives you a chance to visualize potential results. Finally, the consultation is a good time to establish a rapport with the doctor and ensure you’re comfortable with the practice. Your surgeon will create a personalized facelift treatment plan designed around your needs and lifestyle, based on the consultation.
During this procedure, our surgeons are able to address excess skin laxity of the lower face and neck as well as improve many aging concerns such as deep nasolabial folds and jowling. Not only is the skin addressed during surgery but also the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which is the structural support layer of the face. Tightening this foundational tissue gives a smoother, more uplifted appearance without noticeable tension in the skin or other telltale signs of surgery.
Your surgeon customizes your facelift procedure depending on your specific needs. The technique used—either sub-SMAS or deep plane—depends on a variety of factors, including:
In some cases, our surgeons will use an anesthesia technique that is carefully monitored but doesn’t involve a general anesthetic. In those cases, patients are in a type of twilight sleep and won’t feel, see, or hear anything during the operation. There is also the option of general anesthesia.
A facelift may be combined with related procedures, including:
Your consultation is a good time to discuss possible complementary procedures with your surgeon.
The cost of a facelift in Rochester, Buffalo, or Syracuse, NY, varies, depending on your specific needs and goals. All prices quoted from the Quatela Center are all-inclusive and include pre and postoperative appointments, surgeon’s fees, surgery center fees, and anesthesia costs. For more information, see our page on Plastic Surgery Costs.
Want to learn more about facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgeries? Download our free eBook, Your Guide to Facial Rejuvenation Surgery, for a comprehensive overview of the most common face procedures. Topics in our eGuide include facelift, mid facelift, mini facelift, and brow lift surgeries, as well as risks and complications and a handy surgery prep list.
Submit the form below to receive a link to our free eGuide.
Here is a general recovery timeline after facelift surgery (experiences vary):
Day of surgery: You will return home with your face wrapped in bandages. Having someone on hand to help you after your facelift will make the recovery process easier.
Day after surgery: Expect swelling and discomfort, which can be minimized by keeping your head elevated and applying ice packs intermittently during the first 48 hours after surgery. Take post-operative medications as prescribed, generally with food to reduce the chance of nausea.
First week: Limit your activity, although it is important to get up and slowly walk around your house multiple times a day to ensure good circulation.
1 to 2 weeks: Patients with nonstrenuous jobs are typically ready to return to work complete with makeup. Swelling and bruising gradually subside.
3 weeks: Resume your normal exercise routine, after getting approval from your surgeon, by slowly increasing the level of physical activity.
6 to 12 months: Final results are achieved.
Following your surgeon’s specific post-operative instructions is essential for a successful recovery. Do not hesitate to contact our office if any questions or concerns arise during your facelift recovery.
For at least the first 3 weeks after surgery, be sure to:
For proper healing and to achieve satisfactory results, closely follow our pre and post-operative instructions.
Compassionate and dedicated to personalized patient care, Dr. Quatela is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon recognized worldwide for his expertise in facial rejuvenation. He established the Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery in Rochester, New York to provide excellence in aesthetic surgery.
Read OnA board-certified facial plastic surgeon and a board-certified otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon, Dr. Lee is dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children by using her surgical talents. She specializes in procedures of the face and head including facelift, functional and cosmetic nose surgery, blepharoplasty, and injectable treatments.
Read OnKnown for his exemplary skills in both technique and patient care, Dr. Montague is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. He specializes in cosmetic and functional facial surgery and injectable treatments.
Read OnThere are a few facelift procedures, which address different parts of the face. Options include:
Some swelling and bruising are to be expected. Bruising is treated with arnica, an herb that will be provided by our office. While experiences vary, in general swelling and bruising peak 48 hours post-surgery and gradually subside over the following 10 to 14 days.
A drain is placed on either side of the neck at the time of surgery and removed the very next morning at your post-operative day one appointment. The purpose of the drains is to remove any excess bloody drainage from the surgical site that could slow down healing. It is a standard practice for our facial plastic surgeons to use drains to ensure safe healing from facelift surgery.
There are a number of sutures used for a facelift procedure. While individual experiences vary, we typically remove the sutures that are in front of the ears between day 4 to 5 after surgery and the sutures behind the ear and some staples on day 7. By day 10, any remaining sutures or staples are removed.
The incisions for a facelift are placed along the ear contour as close to the ear as possible, behind the ear, and in the hairline. There may or may not be an incision under the chin. Our surgeons take care to place the incisions where the resulting scars are not readily noticeable to others.
Most patients feel comfortable being seen in public with makeup within 2 weeks after facelift surgery.
As one of the most popular procedures at our practice, our surgeons have extensive experience perfecting the art of facelift surgery. Their artistic talent and practiced eye enable them to provide results that are consistent and natural looking.
Facelift surgery provides a life-long improvement because it removes excess skin, but the natural aging process continues. However, smoking, sun exposure, and excessive alcohol consumption can compromise the results.
In many cases, combining several nonsurgical treatments can create a result similar to that of a facelift. This procedure, called a liquid facelift, typically involves a combination of BOTOX, dermal fillers, and laser treatments. While this approach is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time than a surgical facelift, the results are not as dramatic and typically only last a year or so. There is also a nonsurgical procedure called Ultherapy® that uses ultrasound therapy to tighten and firm skin. The results are gradual and will not duplicate surgery.
There is no age restriction for facelift surgery; however you must be in general good health to undergo surgery. Each person ages differently, but the general age range of our facelift patients is between 45 and 70 years old.
As a destination practice offering world-class care, the Quatela Center attracts patients from around the globe. Our virtual consultations and support program take the effort out of travelling for surgery.
Learn More