Until recently, facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, was reserved only for the rich and famous. However today, more than ever before, people are conscious of their appearance. Through proper nutrition and keeping fit, people are maintaining their youthfulness, so it is natural for them to want to look as good as they feel.
In consultation, Dr. Zellner will assess the possibilities of what can be done to improve facial lines, wrinkles, jowls, and sagging skin. The forehead lines, crow’s feet and bags will not be helped with a facelift, but Dr. Zellner will explain alternative procedures to consider in conjunction with Facelift Surgery. Face Lift surgery incisions are usually hidden in and behind the ear.
Redefine Your Jawline and Look Years Younger
As the face ages, many patients notice a loss of definition along the jawline and neck. But what many people don’t realize is that this change isn’t just about the skin.
Dr. Elizabeth Zellner, a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, explains that over time, the underlying structures of the face shift downward. This deep tissue descent leads to heaviness and a softer jawline. When we try to correct this with only surface-level treatments, the results often feel incomplete.
How a Facelift Restores Your Natural Contour:
Addresses the Root Cause: By targeting the deeper structural changes, a facelift lifts and supports descending tissues rather than just pulling the skin.
Precise & Controlled: Dr. Zellner’s approach focuses on restoring structure with meticulous precision.
Subtle, Natural Outcomes: The ultimate goal is always a more defined jawline and a smoother transition into the neck, without looking “done.”
A well-executed facelift helps you look more refreshed, balanced, and—most importantly—true to yourself.
Ready to learn more? If you want to know whether a facelift may be the right option for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Zellner today to discuss a personalized, thoughtful surgical plan.
Why Choose Dr. Zellner for a Facelift in White Plains, NY?
When it comes to cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, your choice of surgeon makes all the difference. Dr. Elizabeth Zeller is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in White Plains, New York, dedicated to providing honest guidance, thoughtful planning, and individualized care.
Dr. Zellner’s approach is rooted in the belief that plastic surgery should enhance your natural beauty. By combining a deep understanding of facial balance with advanced surgical techniques, she creates precise surgical plans that never look overdone.
Top-Tier Education: Credentials from MIT, Vanderbilt, and Yale.
Advanced Training: Specialized fellowship training in craniofacial surgery.
Patient-First Philosophy: A commitment to clear education and natural-looking results.
Whether you are seeking facial rejuvenation or precise reconstructive work, Dr. Zohner offers the expertise and aesthetic eye necessary to achieve your goals safely.
Facelift Recovery
After surgery in New York, there may be swelling and bruising which can last for a few days. Pain, if any, can be controlled with oral medication. Healing will be gradual, but within one or two weeks after surgery, you will feel confident being seen in public. However, allow ten to twelve weeks to feel like yourself again. It is important to be sure to avoid the sun for the first year.
Facelift Techniques
Some patients may be candidates for a “mini facelift”, which involves fewer incisions and typically offers a shorter recovery period. However, choosing the right approach isn’t always about doing less, it’s about doing what will create the most natural, long-lasting result.
In many cases, this means addressing not just the surface, but the deeper structures of the face.
Modern facelift techniques, particularly the deep plane facelift approach, focus on repositioning the underlying support layer of the face rather than simply tightening the skin. By carefully releasing areas where the tissue is naturally anchored, such as along the jawline, cheeks, and neck, the face can be re-draped without tension. This allows everything to settle into a more natural position, rather than appearing pulled or overcorrected.
This distinction is often what separates a result that looks refreshed from one that looks “done.” When only the skin is tightened, it can create subtle irregularities that are difficult to define but easy to notice. By contrast, working with the deeper anatomy allows for smoother contours, especially through the jawline and jowls, and results that tend to last longer.
For this reason, while a mini facelift may be appropriate for select patients, others may benefit from a more comprehensive approach to achieve a softer, more natural outcome. It’s a nuanced conversation, and your surgeon will guide you toward the option that best aligns with your anatomy and goals.
When expectations are realistic, the rewards of facelift surgery can be significant. Patients often enjoy a refreshed, more confident appearance that lasts for years. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks to consider, and your doctor will review these with you in detail to ensure you feel informed and comfortable moving forward.
Some patients need only a “mini facelift“, which involves fewer incisions and a shorter recovery period.
When expectations are realistic, the rewards of this surgery are great. You will be able to see and feel the enjoyable results for many years to come. As with any surgery, there are some risks that your doctor will discuss with you.
Your Facelift in White Plains, NY will be performed in Dr. Elizabeth Zellner's surgery center located in White Plains, NY.
Facelift results are often best understood through real patient experiences. In the video below, Dr. Zellner discusses this patient’s progress just two weeks after facelift surgery.
Before surgery, the patient had heaviness and loss of definition along the jawline caused by sagging facial tissue. Dr. Zellner explains why fillers alone could not correct the issue and how facelift surgery helped reposition and lift the underlying tissue to restore a smoother, more defined, and natural-looking contour.
While video offers a glimpse into natural movement and recovery, before-and-after photography allows for closer evaluation of surgical detail and aesthetic refinement. The following facelift before-and-after photos provide insight into the results Dr. Zellner has achieved with facial rhytidectomy surgery. However, each New York patient is unique, and previous results are not a guarantee of individual outcomes.
Photos Courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Zellner and Dr. Mordcai Blau, M.D., P.C. ~ Individual results may vary.
The cost of a facelift in White Plains starts at $18,000+. Price is determined based on factors like your medical examinations, surgeon’s fee, hospital charges, post-surgery garments, and anesthesia. The exact techniques used will also impact cost, as will the total time needed to perform the surgery.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Elizabeth Zellner is a board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in craniofacial surgery and years of expertise in facial rejuvenation.
Zellner Plastic Surgery offers a full range of facial cosmetic procedures designed to restore balance, definition, and a refreshed appearance. These include facelift surgery, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), eyelid surgery, and other facial enhancements.
Patients in White Plains and across Westchester often choose Zellner Plastic Surgery because multiple facial concerns can be addressed under one roof with a consistent, experienced surgical approach.
A facelift is designed to improve visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck, such as sagging skin, deep creases, jowls, and loss of jawline definition. It can help restore a more youthful contour while maintaining a natural, rested appearance.
Many patients considering a facelift also ask about complementary facial procedures. Depending on your goals, a facelift may be discussed alongside eyelid surgery, facial contouring, or non-surgical treatments to create balanced, long-lasting results.
No. Facelift surgery is not based on age alone. It is based on facial anatomy, skin laxity, and personal goals. Some patients seek facial rejuvenation earlier to address early sagging or loss of definition, while others wait until changes are more pronounced.
During a facelift consultation at Zellner Plastic Surgery in White Plains, your facial structure and aging pattern are evaluated to determine whether a facelift or another facial procedure is the most appropriate option.
Yes. Zellner Plastic Surgery offers non-surgical facial treatments that can soften lines, refresh the face, and delay the need for surgery. These treatments are often used by patients who are not ready for a facelift or who want to maintain surgical results over time.
Non-surgical options may also be combined with facelift surgery, depending on your needs and desired level of downtime. Your consultation will help determine the right balance between surgical and non-surgical care.
In many cases, a facelift can be safely combined with other procedures to address multiple concerns at once. Patients often explore combining facelift surgery with eyelid surgery or rhinoplasty for more comprehensive rejuvenation.
Some patients also choose to address body concerns during the same surgical planning process, such as liposuction or body contouring procedures offered through the broader Plastic Surgery Procedures in New York section of the site.
A well-performed facelift should look natural and balanced, not tight or overdone. The goal is to restore youthful contours while preserving your unique facial features and expressions.
Patients from White Plains and throughout Westchester often seek Zellner Plastic Surgery because of the practice’s emphasis on individualized planning and results that age gracefully over time.
Facelift results are long-lasting, but they do not stop the aging process. Most patients enjoy improvement for many years, especially when they maintain a healthy lifestyle and good skincare routine.
Some patients choose non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers to help extend and support their surgical results. These options can be discussed during follow-up visits.
The best way to determine whether a facelift is right for you is through a consultation. At Zellner Plastic Surgery, your concerns, facial anatomy, and long-term goals are reviewed carefully so recommendations are tailored, not generic.
Many patients arrive with questions about wrinkles or sagging and leave with a clearer understanding of all facial rejuvenation options available to them.
If you are considering facelift surgery or facial rejuvenation in White Plains or the surrounding Westchester area, the first step is a private consultation. This visit allows you to ask questions, review options, and receive personalized recommendations.
You can call us at 914-428-4700 or request an appointment through the Zellner Plastic Surgery contact page and take the next step toward feeling confident in your appearance.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Zellner and the entire experience I had under her care. From my very first consultation, Dr. Zellner was kind, compassionate, and truly listened to my concerns. I came in feeling self-conscious about the sagging in my face and neck, and left looking—and more importantly, feeling—15 years younger.
Dr. Zellner’s expertise and attention to detail are second to none. She took the time to walk me through every step of the process, made sure I was comfortable and informed, and delivered results that exceeded my highest hopes. The transformation was subtle yet stunning—natural, refreshed, and completely me, only better.
The entire staff was supportive, professional, and warm. I felt genuinely cared for, not just as a patient, but as a person. Dr. Zellner has truly given me back a sense of confidence I thought was gone for good. I am forever grateful for her talent, artistry, and heart.
If you’re considering facial rejuvenation, I cannot recommend Dr. Zellner highly enough. She didn’t just lift my face—she lifted my spirit.
