(281) 242-1061 
Facelift surgery, also called rhytidectomy, improves jowls, lower-face heaviness, loose skin, cheek descent, softened jawline definition, and selected signs of neck aging. By repositioning deeper facial tissues rather than simply tightening the skin, a facelift can restore definition while preserving natural expression.
Dr. Mathew Moreno performs facelift surgery in Houston with an emphasis on structural release, limited skin undermining, and natural-looking rejuvenation. His goal is to help patients look rested, defined, and recognizable rather than tight, windswept, or visibly altered.
A facelift is a surgical procedure that repositions descended tissues in the cheeks, lower face, and jawline. It addresses structural facial aging beneath the skin instead of relying only on surface tightening.
As the face ages, supporting tissues descend, jowls develop, facial folds deepen, and the jawline becomes less distinct. Dr. Moreno restores these tissues toward a more youthful position so the skin can be redraped gently rather than pulled tightly.
A facelift may improve:
Facelift surgery is a customized facial rejuvenation procedure that commonly treats the cheeks, lower face, jawline, and selected neck concerns. Most patients need approximately two to three weeks before they feel comfortable returning to work or social events.
The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia and may take several hours depending on the extent of correction and any combined procedures. Swelling continues to improve for months after patients resume routine activities.
Structural facial rejuvenation surgery
Usually general anesthesia
Two to three weeks
Often four to six weeks
Long-lasting, natural-looking improvement
A facelift can improve structural aging that fillers, skincare, and energy-based treatments cannot fully correct. It may create a cleaner jawline, reduce jowls, restore cheek support, and improve the overall balance between the face and neck.
The emotional benefit can also be meaningful when a patient’s appearance no longer reflects how energetic they feel. Dr. Moreno focuses on a refreshed result that preserves identity rather than creating a noticeably different face.
Potential benefits include:
A facelift repositions descended facial tissues, while filler restores volume and skin treatments improve texture, pigment, or mild laxity. Nonsurgical treatments cannot fully lift established jowls or restore deeper structural support.
Some patients benefit from injectables or skin treatments earlier in the aging process, while others have reached a point where additional volume could make the face look heavier. Dr. Moreno evaluates skin quality, tissue descent, facial volume, and jawline anatomy before recommending surgery.
The options differ in several ways:
Dr. Mathew Moreno is a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with a focused interest in facial rejuvenation and facelift surgery. He completed six years of integrated plastic surgery residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center, followed by a 12-month aesthetic surgery fellowship in New York.
His philosophy centers on restoration rather than transformation, with an emphasis on proportion, restraint, and natural-looking results. Dr. Moreno believes the best facelift should make a patient look refreshed and well rested without making the surgery obvious.
His approach emphasizes:
A facelift consultation determines where facial tissues have descended, whether the neck also needs treatment, and whether volume or skin quality contributes to the patient’s concerns. Dr. Moreno evaluates the cheeks, jawline, neck, skin, facial proportions, and underlying support structures.
The consultation also includes a review of health history, previous procedures, medications, nicotine exposure, and recovery expectations. Dr. Moreno explains what surgery can realistically improve and whether a facelift, neck lift, fat grafting, or another treatment is most appropriate.
Your consultation may include:
Facelift techniques differ according to how deeply tissues are released, how much movement is achieved, and which facial regions are treated. The right procedure depends on anatomy and the degree of aging rather than the patient’s age alone.
Dr. Moreno uses an extended deep plane approach when broader cheek, lower-face, and jawline repositioning is appropriate. More limited techniques may be considered for patients with earlier or less extensive aging.
Common facelift approaches include:
You may be a good candidate if you have jowls, cheek descent, lower-face heaviness, or loose skin that no longer responds adequately to nonsurgical care. Candidacy depends more on anatomy, health, skin quality, and goals than on a specific age.
Good candidates are generally healthy, maintain a stable weight, avoid nicotine, and have realistic expectations about natural improvement. Dr. Moreno also considers whether the proposed facelift will remain balanced with the brow, eyelids, neck, and overall facial structure.
You may benefit from an evaluation if you have:
A facelift may not be appropriate for patients whose concerns are mild, primarily related to skin texture, or better treated with volume restoration. Surgery may also need to be delayed when uncontrolled medical conditions, nicotine use, unstable weight, or healing problems increase risk.
Dr. Moreno may recommend nonsurgical treatment, medical optimization, or a more limited operation instead. Responsible patient selection includes advising against surgery when the likely benefit does not justify the recovery or risk.
A facelift may not be suitable for patients with:
Dr. Moreno begins with carefully planned incisions around the ears and hairline, followed by limited skin undermining. He then elevates a composite flap and releases the retaining ligaments that prevent the deeper facial tissues from moving freely.
The tissues are repositioned along natural anatomical vectors, including a direction parallel to the zygomatic ligament, to improve the cheek and jawline without producing a windswept result. The skin is then redraped with minimal tension, and excess skin is removed conservatively.
The procedure may include:
Facelift before-and-after photos should show improved cheek support, reduced jowls, a cleaner jawline, and a more rested lower face. Strong results preserve natural expression and do not make the patient appear tight or overcorrected.
Photos should be viewed as educational examples rather than guarantees of an identical outcome. Dr. Moreno can explain how facial structure, skin quality, neck anatomy, age, and combined procedures may influence results.
When reviewing photos, look for:
A personalized consultation is the first step in determining whether facelift surgery is appropriate for your anatomy and goals. Dr. Moreno evaluates the face and neck together before recommending a surgical plan.
Submitting the consultation form does not commit you to surgery and does not replace an in-person medical examination. A patient coordinator can contact you to discuss scheduling and preparation.
Facelift recovery commonly involves swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness, and temporary unevenness. Most patients feel more socially presentable after approximately two to three weeks, although subtle swelling and firmness may continue longer.
Dr. Moreno provides instructions regarding head elevation, walking, incision care, medications, and activity restrictions. The final result should not be judged during early healing because the tissues soften and settle gradually.
Recovery guidance may include:
The greatest swelling and bruising usually occur during the first week, followed by steady improvement over the next several weeks. Facial sensation, softness, and scar maturation can continue changing for several months.
The following timeline is a general guide rather than a guarantee. Recovery may take longer when a neck lift, eyelid procedure, fat grafting, or skin resurfacing is performed at the same time.
Facelift incisions are generally placed around the natural contours of the ears and within or near the hairline. Strategic placement helps keep scars discreet from the front, side, and with the hair pulled back.
Scar quality depends on genetics, skin tension, closure technique, sun exposure, and postoperative care. Dr. Moreno limits skin tension and monitors incision healing throughout recovery.
Scar care may include:
A facelift is particularly effective for jowls, cheek descent, loose lower-face skin, and loss of jawline definition. It can also improve facial and neck continuity when combined with appropriate neck treatment.
A facelift does not erase all fine lines, correct every pigment concern, or stop future aging. Separate procedures or nonsurgical treatments may be needed for eyelid aging, brow descent, skin texture, sun damage, or facial volume loss.
A facelift can improve:
A facelift may not fully correct:
A facelift primarily treats the cheeks, lower face, jowls, and jawline, while a neck lift addresses tissues beneath the chin and along the neck. Because these areas often age together, treating both can create a smoother and more balanced result.
A neck lift may address platysmal bands, deep-neck fullness, loose skin, and loss of the chin-to-neck angle. Dr. Moreno determines whether the neck needs limited treatment or more comprehensive structural correction.
A facelift focuses on:
A neck lift focuses on:
A SMAS facelift tightens or repositions the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, which supports the lower face and jawline. A deep plane facelift releases deeper tissues and retaining ligaments so the cheek and lower face can move more freely as a connected unit.
Neither technique is automatically right for every patient, although Dr. Moreno favors an extended deep plane approach for patients who need broader structural rejuvenation. Surgical planning should be based on anatomy rather than procedure names alone.
General differences include:
Facelift surgery carries risks such as bleeding, hematoma, infection, scarring, asymmetry, delayed healing, sensory changes, and facial weakness. Deep-plane techniques require careful work around facial nerves and important anatomical structures.
Temporary swelling, bruising, tightness, and numbness are expected during normal healing, while serious complications are less common. Dr. Moreno reviews individual risk factors and provides detailed postoperative instructions intended to reduce avoidable problems.
Potential risks include:
The cost of facelift surgery in Houston depends on the technique, surgical complexity, anesthesia, facility expenses, and whether a neck lift or other procedures are included. Dr. Moreno provides a personalized quote after completing an examination and surgical plan.
A limited facelift and a comprehensive extended deep plane facelift with neck surgery do not involve the same operating time or technical requirements. Patients should confirm whether anesthesia, facility fees, postoperative visits, and related care are included.
Factors that may affect cost include:
A facelift should be selected because structural tissue descent is contributing to facial aging, not simply because the procedure is popular. The strongest result comes from matching the operation to the patient’s anatomy while avoiding unnecessary tension and overcorrection.
Patients should understand that surgery can restore facial support but cannot create perfect symmetry or stop aging. A thoughtful decision includes realistic expectations, medical preparation, recovery planning, and confidence in the surgeon’s aesthetic judgment.
A practical facelift guide should cover:
Facelift results are long-lasting because the procedure repositions deeper facial structures rather than relying only on skin tension. The face continues to age, but it does so from a younger and more supported position.
Longevity varies according to genetics, skin quality, weight stability, sun exposure, and lifestyle. Skincare and selected nonsurgical treatments may help maintain skin quality but cannot replace the structural correction created by surgery.
Long-term considerations include:
A facelift may be combined with other procedures when additional concerns involve the neck, eyelids, brow, facial volume, lips, or skin quality. Treating related areas together can create a more balanced result when the combined plan is medically appropriate.
Dr. Moreno recommends additional procedures only when they address a genuine anatomical concern. Some patients need a facelift alone, while others benefit from a coordinated face-and-neck rejuvenation plan.
Common combinations include:
Patients should ask which facelift technique is recommended, whether the neck needs treatment, and how the surgeon plans to avoid a tight appearance. The answers should be based on the patient’s anatomy rather than a standard surgical package.
A thoughtful consultation should explain scars, recovery, risks, realistic improvement, and whether additional procedures are necessary. Dr. Moreno encourages patients to understand why each part of the surgical plan is being recommended.
Helpful questions include:
When performed properly, most people will not recognize that a facelift was done. They may notice that you look more refreshed or well-rested, but the goal is to avoid an obvious or “operated” appearance.
A well-executed facelift should not alter your natural expressions. By focusing on deeper structural layers rather than over-tightening the skin, facial movement and individuality are preserved.
The face and neck age together, so treating only the face can create imbalance. Addressing the neck at the same time often leads to a more complete and natural-looking result.
Yes, but in a favorable way. You will continue to age naturally, but you will always look younger than if you had never had the procedure.
There is no perfect age, but earlier intervention can sometimes produce more subtle and refined results. Waiting longer may require a more extensive correction depending on the degree of aging.
Unnatural results are often due to excessive skin tension or outdated techniques that do not address deeper structures. Modern approaches focus on repositioning tissue rather than pulling skin.
Many patients still benefit from maintenance treatments after surgery. These can help preserve results, improve skin quality, and address areas that surgery alone does not treat.
Yes, significant weight gain or loss can impact facial volume and contour. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve the longevity and balance of your results.
Most visible recovery occurs within a few weeks, but subtle sensations such as tightness or numbness can take several months to fully resolve. This is a normal part of the healing process.
One of the most common misconceptions is that facelifts create a dramatically different appearance. In reality, the best results are often the ones that look the most natural and go unnoticed as surgery.
Dr. Moreno combines comprehensive plastic surgery training with advanced aesthetic fellowship experience and a particular interest in facelift surgery. His technique uses composite-flap elevation, broad ligament release, limited skin undermining, and deep structural repositioning.
He emphasizes a defined jawline, natural cheek support, and preservation of facial identity rather than aggressive tightening. Patients can expect careful consultation, honest recommendations, and attentive communication throughout recovery.
Patients may value his focus on:
To schedule a facelift consultation, contact Dr. Mathew Moreno’s Houston office by phone or submit the secure consultation request form on this page. A patient coordinator can arrange an appointment and explain what information to prepare.
During the consultation, Dr. Moreno will evaluate your face and neck, discuss your goals, review treatment options, and recommend a personalized surgical plan. Scheduling a consultation is an educational first step and does not obligate you to proceed.
Before your appointment, consider preparing:
Dr. Ravi Somayazula and Dr. Swapna Gopathi are Board-Certified Physicians who use a patient-centered approach and spend as much time as needed to make each patient feel special and respected—not just another person walking through the door.
As a team, a one-of-a-kind treatment plan is created to address concerns from head to toe with the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques, including: Breast Augmentation (Implants), Tummy Tucks, Liposuction, Mommy Makeovers, miraDry®, Botox®, Dermal Fillers, and AVÉLI ® Cellulite treatment.
Working side-by-side, Dr. Ravi and Dr. Gopathi strive to create a long-lasting relationship with each patient, meeting any new aesthetic needs as they arise. Together, the staff at Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery & Associates take each patient step-by-step through their cosmetic journey to achieve the desired aesthetic results.
