Whether it is the unwelcome presence of wrinkles, fine lines, jowls, hanging skin, or some other sign of aging, no one is immune to the effects of time. Some people appreciate and embrace their more mature and wise appearance. Others have difficulty even glancing at a passing mirror, as it provides a stark reminder that they no longer look like the young and vibrant person they once were.

If you are looking for a way to turn back the hands of time, there are a number of different facial rejuvenation cosmetic procedures that can address signs of aging. Two of the most popular facial procedures are facelift surgery and facial filler injections, and deciding whether surgery vs. fillers is the best cosmetic procedure for you can be a difficult choice. We hope to make the decision-making process as easy as possible by filling you in on everything you should know before deciding on a facial procedure.

What Is Facelift Surgery?

A facelift is a plastic surgery that addresses a number of cosmetic issues in your neck and face, including loose skin, jowls, wrinkles, and a loss of volume. The procedure involves making small incisions in areas that are not easily visible to the average individual, such as behind the ears. Any excess skin is removed, then the underlying tissues and muscles in the face and neck are tightened. The skin is then pulled tight and reattached at the initial incision point, resulting in significantly smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.

What Is a Facial Filler Injection?

Injectable fillers are a nonsurgical procedure that can rejuvenate your face in no time! Facial fillers can help address various signs of aging, including wrinkles and volume loss. There are a number of different fillers that an experienced plastic surgeon may use for treatment, including fillers from companies like JUVÉDERM®, RADIESSE®, and Sculptra®.

Getting a facial filler is simple and easy. All you need to do is go into your plastic surgeon’s office, and they will quickly prepare the target area for the injection. Then, you will feel a small prick, and just like that, you are ready to start making your way home with an almost instantly rejuvenated appearance.

Surgery vs. Fillers

Now that you have a basic overview of what facelifts and filler injections are, it is time to compare and contrast facelift surgery vs. fillers. There are a variety of different factors to consider when trying to decide between surgery vs. fillers for facial rejuvenation—below, we explain these important differences.

• Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Surgery vs. Fillers?

The ideal candidate for facial fillers is someone who has minor to moderate signs of aging on their face that they would like to address. That means that candidates are usually between 30 and 55, since older candidates may have significantly loosened skin and the presence of jowls, both of which will not respond well to filler injections. Candidates should also be non-smokers in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the results of the procedure.

The ideal candidate for a facelift is someone who has moderate to severe signs of aging in the areas surrounding the face and neck. A facelift can address many more issues than a facial filler injection can, meaning that it is a great procedure for patients of all ages, including much older patients. That said, candidates still need to be in good enough overall health to undergo surgery, should be non-smokers, and will need somebody who will care for them during recovery.

• What Signs of Aging Can Surgery and Fillers Address?

As mentioned above, fillers are much more limited in terms of the signs of aging they can address. Fillers are mostly used to address surface-level wrinkles, fine lines, and volume loss.

Fillers cannot address many cosmetic issues experienced by older patients, including deeper wrinkles and folds, loose skin around the face and neck, and the formation of jowls. Fillers also have limited effectiveness with older patients because if a patient has severe tissue laxity issues, fillers can result in an unnaturally bloated appearance. A facelift can address all of these issues, making it a much more effective procedure for those with severe signs of aging.

• Recovery Time for Surgery vs. Fillers

While a facelift can address many more signs of aging and other cosmetic issues, that increase in effectiveness comes with a corresponding increase in recovery time. In general, it will take patients five to six weeks to fully recover from facelift surgery. While many are able to return to work in about a week, they will need to abstain from strenuous activity for at least four to six weeks, and often even longer than that.

The recovery time for facial fillers is significantly shorter than that. In fact, there is barely any recovery time needed. Most patients are able to return to their everyday routine in just a few hours or less, providing minimal disruption to their work or home life.

• The Longevity of Results for Surgery vs. Fillers

After going in for facial rejuvenation treatment, how long will the results last for surgery vs. fillers? The results from facelift surgery will last a very long time. Patients can expect to have a rejuvenated facial appearance for somewhere between 7-10 years before any follow-up treatment will be necessary. As long as you take good care of your skin and keep your body weight in a stable range, you can expect the results of a facelift to last nearly a decade.

Facial fillers are considered a short-term fix. The results of most facial fillers will last somewhere between six months and one year. After the results have worn off, you will need to go back to your plastic surgeon for another round of injections. 

• The Cost of Surgery vs. Fillers

One of the main appeals of facial fillers is the relatively low cost. Most people should expect to pay somewhere between $350 and $1,500 a session, depending on the number of syringes used and whether the treatment area is extensive or relatively targeted.

A facelift is considerably more expensive. A facelift will cost somewhere between $7,000 and $14,000+ depending on the needs of the specific individual. The cost will depend on how invasive the procedure will be, as well as if any additional procedures that will be combined with the facelift for the best possible results.

Decide Between Surgery vs. Fillers with Dr. Leo Lapuerta

If you are still not sure whether a facelift or facial fillers are the best treatment for you, contact Dr. Leo Lapuerta today. Dr. Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience with both facelifts and facial fillers, and during a consultation, he can help you make the right decision for your specific needs. If you live near Katy, Pearland, or Houston, Texas, contact Dr. Lapuerta to schedule a facial rejuvenation consultation today. To learn more, give us a call at (713) 489-0169.