Facelift/Necklift in Bahrain
Provided by our consultant plastic surgeons at Stanford Clinics. Last updated October 2026.
With age, the skin loses elasticity and the deeper tissues of the face and neck gradually descend. This can lead to jowls along the jawline, deeper folds around the mouth, and loose skin or bands in the neck.
A facelift (rhytidectomy) and a neck lift are surgical procedures that reposition these deeper tissues and remove excess skin, for a fresher, more rested look. They are often performed together. At Stanford Clinics in Bahrain, every patient starts with a consultation with one of our consultant plastic surgeons, who will assess your face and neck and explain what surgery can and cannot achieve for you.
What a facelift can address
A facelift mainly treats the lower two thirds of the face. Rather than simply pulling the skin, the surgeon lifts and secures the deeper supporting layer (often called the SMAS) and then redrapes the skin without tension. It can help with:
- Jowls: sagging along the jawline that blurs its outline.
- Mid-face descent: cheeks that have dropped and flattened.
- Deep folds: lines from the nose to the mouth and from the mouth to the chin.
- Loose skin: excess skin in the lower face.
What a neck lift can address
The neck often shows ageing changes before the face. A neck lift can be done on its own or combined with a facelift, and may help with:
- Loose neck skin: sagging or creased skin under the chin and on the neck.
- Neck bands: vertical bands caused by the platysma muscle separating with age.
- Fullness under the chin: excess fat that can be reduced during surgery.
- Jaw-neck angle: a softer, less defined line between the jaw and the neck.
How facelift and neck lift surgery works
Incisions: for a facelift, the incision usually runs within or along the hairline at the temple, in the natural creases in front of the ear, and around behind the ear. A neck lift often adds a small incision under the chin. Shorter-incision techniques may suit people with more limited changes.
Anaesthesia: surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia, or sometimes under sedation with local anaesthetic, as agreed with your surgeon and anaesthetist.
Length of surgery: commonly around 2 to 5 hours, depending on the techniques used and whether other procedures are combined. An overnight stay is often recommended.
A facelift does not change the forehead, eyebrows or the texture of the skin. Your surgeon may suggest combining it with eyelid surgery or non-surgical skin treatments if these are part of your goals.
Who it suits, and who should wait
- Good candidates: people in good general health, with visible sagging of the face or neck and realistic expectations.
- Smoking: smoking and nicotine greatly increase the risk of poor healing; you will be asked to stop for several weeks before and after surgery.
- Medical conditions: high blood pressure, diabetes and bleeding disorders need to be well controlled first, and blood-thinning medicines reviewed.
- Weight changes: it is best to be at a stable weight before surgery.
- Expectations: surgery cannot stop ageing or change skin texture; your surgeon will discuss what is realistic.
What happens on the day of surgery, and aftercare
Before surgery: you will receive instructions on fasting, which medicines and supplements to pause (such as some blood thinners), and stopping smoking, which is especially important for healing after a facelift. Please arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you.
On the day: the surgeon marks the incision lines, the anaesthetist checks your health, and the operation is carried out as planned. Small drains may be placed for a day or two, and a soft dressing or compression garment is applied.
Aftercare:
- Keep your head raised, including when sleeping, for the first one to two weeks.
- Avoid turning or bending your neck sharply, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks.
- Take medicines exactly as prescribed and attend all follow-up visits. Stitches are usually removed between about 5 and 10 days.
- Do not colour your hair or use heat on the scalp near the incisions until your surgeon agrees.
- Protect healing skin and scars from the sun.
Recovery, scarring, risks and results
Recovery: swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are normal. Most visible bruising settles within 2 to 3 weeks, and many people feel ready for work and social activities after about 2 to 4 weeks. Strenuous exercise is usually resumed after 4 to 6 weeks. Some numbness around the cheeks and ears is common and usually improves over several months.
Scarring: scars are placed to follow natural creases and the hairline, and usually fade over 6 to 12 months, but they are permanent. How scars heal varies between people and skin types.
Risks: the most common significant complication is a collection of blood under the skin (haematoma), which may need a return to theatre. Other risks include infection, poor wound healing (more likely in smokers), injury to the nerves that move the face, usually temporary and rarely permanent, prolonged numbness, hair loss near the incisions, asymmetry, wide or raised scars, changes to the earlobe shape, blood clots, anaesthetic risks, and the possibility of further surgery.
Results: the face and neck look more lifted once swelling settles, which can take several months. Results are long-lasting, often for many years, but surgery does not stop the natural ageing process, and results vary between people.
Cost: the cost depends on whether you have a facelift, neck lift or both, the techniques used, anaesthesia and hospital stay. We confirm a price after your consultation rather than quoting a fixed figure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the right age for a facelift?
There is no single right age. Suitability depends on your skin, the degree of change and your general health rather than your age alone. Your surgeon will assess this at your consultation.
Will I look different or “pulled”?
The aim is a natural, refreshed version of you. Lifting the deeper layer rather than pulling the skin tight helps avoid an overdone look.
How long before I can go out in public?
Many people feel comfortable after about 2 to 3 weeks, although some bruising or swelling may still be visible. Make-up can usually be used once the incisions have healed.
Can I have a neck lift without a facelift?
Yes, if the changes are mainly in the neck. Often the jawline and neck are treated together for a balanced result, and your surgeon will advise what suits you.
Are there non-surgical alternatives?
Injectables and skin-tightening treatments can help with milder changes, but they do not remove excess skin or reposition deeper tissues in the way surgery does.
Will I have pain afterwards?
Most people describe tightness and discomfort rather than severe pain, managed with prescribed medicine. Please contact us promptly if pain or swelling increases suddenly, particularly on one side.
Book a facelift and neck lift consultation at Stanford Clinics
If you are considering a facelift or neck lift, the first step is a consultation with one of our consultant plastic surgeons. We will listen to your goals, examine your face and neck, and explain your options, the recovery and the risks clearly, so you can decide in your own time.
Book your appointment online, call us or message us on WhatsApp. You can also find our contact details here.