Natural results depend on how the deeper tissues and skin are repositioned. A facelift should not simply pull the skin tightly across the face, which can contribute to an operated appearance. Modern techniques address deeper facial tissues so the skin can be redraped with less tension and a more natural contour.

Is This the Right Surgeon for MY Facelift?

Choosing a facelift surgeon is personal, and credentials alone should not make the decision for you. Look at the surgeon's experience specifically with facelifts, review before-and-after photographs, and pay attention to whether the surgeon listens to what you want during your consultation. Dr. Sundine has performed more than 1,500 facelifts and has published extensively on facial rejuvenation, giving you substantial information to review when deciding whether his approach aligns with your goals.

How Much Will My Facelift Cost?

Facelift surgery at our Newport Beach practice generally ranges from approximately $40,000 to $85,000. The final cost depends on the technique selected, complexity of the operation, and whether additional procedures are incorporated into your surgical plan. You will receive individualized pricing after Dr. Sundine evaluates your anatomy and develops the appropriate treatment plan.

What Is the Recovery Like From a Facelift?

Expect swelling, bruising, and tightness during the early stage of recovery. These effects gradually improve, and many individuals begin resuming regular activities once the most noticeable swelling and bruising have subsided. More strenuous exercise must wait longer, and Dr. Sundine will let you know when it is appropriate to increase your activity.

Can I Trust This Surgeon?

Trust should develop through research and your personal experience during the consultation process. Dr. Sundine is certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and is affiliated with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), has practiced plastic surgery since 1995 and has extensive training in plastic, craniofacial, and facial rejuvenation surgery. His experience includes more than 15,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and over 1,500 facelifts, along with published work on facial rejuvenation.

What Happens if I Don't Like My Facelift Results?

This is an important concern to discuss before surgery, not after. During your consultation, Dr. Sundine will establish realistic expectations and explain what the recommended technique can reasonably accomplish for your anatomy. Healing also takes time, so don't mistake early swelling or asymmetry for the final result. If concerns remain after healing has progressed, they can be evaluated with Dr. Sundine to determine the appropriate next step.

Facelift Consultation In Newport Beach

Considering a Facelift? Start Here!

Have you noticed…

Maybe the face you see in the mirror no longer feels quite like the one you picture in your mind. Your jawline may have softened, your cheeks may look heavier or lower, or loose skin around your face and neck may make you appear older or more tired than you feel. These changes happen gradually, often because of a combination of genetics, sun exposure, changes in skin elasticity, and natural aging.

At Michael J. Sundine, MD, Inc., we understand that considering a facelift is not necessarily about wanting to look different. For many people, it is about wanting their appearance to feel more familiar again. Dr. Michael Sundine performs facelift surgery in Newport Beach with an individualized approach designed to rejuvenate the face while preserving the characteristics that make it uniquely yours.

woman in white tank top -- facelift -- Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sundine

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Before + After Photo Gallery

A plastic surgeon Orange County patients trust to provide excellent care and beautiful, natural-looking results. While beauty is more than skin deep, the decision to enhance your appearance, whether subtle or dramatic, can boost your self-confidence and positively impact every area of your life.

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Common Concerns

Facial aging affects several layers of the face, which means you may notice more than one change at the same time. Some of the most common concerns that bring people to our Newport Beach practice include:

Sagging or loose skin along the lower face
Jowls that reduce jawline definition
Deepening nasolabial folds
Marionette lines around the mouth and chin
Drooping or descended cheek tissues
Loose skin beneath the chin and along the neck
Visible platysmal bands in the neck
A heavier, more square appearance to the lower face
Looking tired or older despite feeling energetic and healthy

Deep plane Facelift -- Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sundine

What Happens to the Face as We Age?

Not Just Wrinkles

Aging is more complex than simply developing wrinkles. Over time, the skin loses elasticity, facial tissues become more lax, and volume changes can alter the contours that once gave the face a more youthful shape. As the deeper tissues descend, the cheeks can flatten, folds around the nose and mouth may deepen, and jowls can begin to interrupt the smooth line between the chin and jaw.

The neck changes as well. Skin may loosen beneath the chin, and the platysma muscles can separate or become more visible as vertical bands. Together, these changes can gradually shift the face from a more tapered shape toward a heavier or squarer lower face. A facelift addresses these structural changes rather than simply treating surface wrinkles.

Here’s What We Can Do About It

You’ve Got Options

A facelift, medically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that repositions deeper facial tissues and removes or redrapes excess skin to improve visible signs of aging. Rather than relying on skin tension alone, modern facelift techniques address the underlying tissues that contribute to jowling, sagging cheeks, and loss of definition along the lower face. A neck lift is also commonly incorporated when laxity extends beneath the jaw and into the neck.

No single facelift technique is appropriate for everyone. Depending on your anatomy and degree of aging, Dr. Sundine may recommend a traditional facelift, deep plane facelift, mini facelift, or another individualized surgical approach. During a Newport Beach facelift consultation, the goal is to determine which technique addresses your specific changes without unnecessary surgery.

brown hair woman -- facelift -- Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sundine

Will I Still Look Like Myself After A Facelift?

That is one of the most important questions you can ask. A well-planned facelift is intended to restore and reposition your existing facial anatomy, not give you an entirely different face. The goal is for friends and family to notice that you look refreshed, rested, or more youthful rather than immediately recognize that you have undergone surgery.

Achieving that result depends heavily on surgical planning and technique. Excessive skin tension can create an unnatural or overly tight appearance, while appropriately repositioning deeper facial tissues lets the skin lie more naturally. Dr. Sundine plans facelift surgery around the individual face so that rejuvenation remains consistent with your features, proportions, and aesthetic goals.

I don’t believe that every patient needs the same facelift. We select the technique based on anatomy and the result we’re trying to achieve. – Dr. Michael Sundine

Why Patients Choose Dr. Sundine For Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery is a major focus of Dr. Sundine’s practice, rather than simply one procedure among many. His extensive background in facial anatomy, facial rejuvenation, and craniofacial surgery shapes his individualized approach to each operation.

More than 1,500 facelifts performed: Dr. Sundine has performed over 15,000 facial plastic surgery procedures during his career, including more than 1,500 facelifts.
Published expertise: He has published scientific articles and book chapters and co-authored Aesthetic Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck, a text focused on surgical and non-surgical approaches to facial rejuvenation.
Technique selected for the individual face: Rather than applying the same operation to everyone, the surgical plan is based on facial anatomy, the degree and location of aging, and the desired result.
See his results: Before-and-after photographs let you evaluate Dr. Sundine’s approach to facelift surgery and the results he has achieved for others.

For those researching facelift surgery in Newport Beach, these factors can be especially important when deciding who to trust with a procedure that directly affects facial identity.

What To Expect During Your Consultation

Your consultation is where the surgical plan begins. Dr. Sundine will examine your face and neck, discuss the specific changes that concern you, and learn what you hope to accomplish. This evaluation helps determine whether a facelift is appropriate and which surgical technique best suits your anatomy.

You will also have time to discuss your medical history, expectations, procedure options, recovery, and questions about surgery. Photographs may be reviewed to help establish realistic goals and clarify what can and cannot be changed. Rather than choosing a facelift based on its name or popularity, we develop your treatment plan around what your face actually needs.

What to Expect On the Day of Surgery

Surgery

Facelift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in an accredited surgical facility and typically takes approximately four to five hours. Depending on the surgical plan, anesthesia may be general or local with appropriate sedation. Incisions are strategically positioned around the ear and hairline as needed so Dr. Sundine can access and reposition the deeper facial tissues.

The exact steps vary according to the technique selected. Dr. Sundine may reposition underlying tissues, address laxity of the face and neck, remove excess skin, and carefully redrape the remaining skin without relying on excessive tension. Once surgery is complete, we place dressings and monitor you as you begin your initial recovery. Our practice generally recommends professional aftercare for the first evening following facelift surgery.

What Is Recovery Like After a Facelift?

Recovery

Recovery happens gradually, so you should expect your appearance and comfort level to change from one week to the next. Swelling, bruising, tightness, and tenderness are normal early in healing. Keeping your head elevated and following postoperative instructions can help manage swelling while your tissues begin to settle.

Many people begin returning to normal daily activities as the initial bruising and swelling improve, although strenuous activity requires a longer break. Dr. Sundine’s guidance will be based on how you are healing rather than an arbitrary deadline. Facelift recovery in Newport Beach includes postoperative visits so that your progress, incisions, swelling, and developing results can be monitored throughout the healing process.

What Will I Look Like Right After My Facelift?

You will not see your final result when you first look in the mirror. Immediately after surgery, swelling and bruising can temporarily make the face appear fuller, uneven, or tighter than expected. Dressings and incisions will also be visible during this early stage, so it is important not to judge your outcome based on the first few days.

As swelling decreases and the tissues settle, your new facial contours become easier to appreciate. Improvements in the jawline, cheeks, lower face, and neck continue to refine during the weeks and months after surgery. Healing is progressive, and the final result develops as residual swelling resolves and the tissues adapt to their repositioned contours.

Common Facelift FAQs

Your procedure questions answered.

Yes, preserving your recognizable facial characteristics is central to a natural-looking facelift. Surgery repositions tissues that have changed with age rather than replacing the features that define you. Dr. Sundine selects the technique according to your anatomy and desired degree of rejuvenation.
Natural results depend on how the deeper tissues and skin are repositioned. A facelift should not simply pull the skin tightly across the face, which can contribute to an operated appearance. Modern techniques address deeper facial tissues so the skin can be redraped with less tension and a more natural contour.
Choosing a facelift surgeon is personal, and credentials alone should not make the decision for you. Look at the surgeon's experience specifically with facelifts, review before-and-after photographs, and pay attention to whether the surgeon listens to what you want during your consultation. Dr. Sundine has performed more than 1,500 facelifts and has published extensively on facial rejuvenation, giving you substantial information to review when deciding whether his approach aligns with your goals.
Facelift surgery at our Newport Beach practice generally ranges from approximately $40,000 to $85,000. The final cost depends on the technique selected, complexity of the operation, and whether additional procedures are incorporated into your surgical plan. You will receive individualized pricing after Dr. Sundine evaluates your anatomy and develops the appropriate treatment plan.
Expect swelling, bruising, and tightness during the early stage of recovery. These effects gradually improve, and many individuals begin resuming regular activities once the most noticeable swelling and bruising have subsided. More strenuous exercise must wait longer, and Dr. Sundine will let you know when it is appropriate to increase your activity.
Trust should develop through research and your personal experience during the consultation process. Dr. Sundine is certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and is affiliated with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), has practiced plastic surgery since 1995 and has extensive training in plastic, craniofacial, and facial rejuvenation surgery. His experience includes more than 15,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and over 1,500 facelifts, along with published work on facial rejuvenation.
This is an important concern to discuss before surgery, not after. During your consultation, Dr. Sundine will establish realistic expectations and explain what the recommended technique can reasonably accomplish for your anatomy. Healing also takes time, so don't mistake early swelling or asymmetry for the final result. If concerns remain after healing has progressed, they can be evaluated with Dr. Sundine to determine the appropriate next step.

Real Patients

Real Reviews

What I really like about Dr. Sundine is his vast experience and training. I also like the fact he did not try to sell me other procedures. He is also very down to earth and easy to talk to. I am very satisfied with the results and I highly recommend him.

After much research and multiple visits to other surgeons, I knew right away that Dr. Sundine was the perfect choice for me. I felt completely confident in his ability from the first visit to the last. I have been singing his praises to all of my friends and will recommend him to anyone searching for a plastic surgeon. Thanks, Dr. Sundine

Dr. Sundine is an excellent plastic surgeon! I have been using his services for almost 5 years. If you want to look years younger and fully refreshed I highly recommend that you use his services. Patients walk out looking naturally gorgeous, not overdone like some of the women in Orange County!

Dr. Sundine is the best plastic surgeon. Dr. Sundine’s excellent skills and knowledge has made my surgery turn out so well. But more importantly, it made me feel better about myself. Again, thank you Dr. Sundine for all you have done for me. You are the best surgeon!

Dr. Sundine is a caring, calm and talented doctor — he is down to earth and has a great demeanor. He made me feel like I was in good hands from the very beginning, and took his time going over things with me. The office manager always made herself available and was warm and kind through the whole process. After breaking my nose and having rhinoplasty 2 months ago, my nose is shaping up to be really nice and already looks pretty much as Dr. Sundine and myself both wanted it to look.