The figures below reflect the practice’s standard fee for a combined face and neck lift with Dr Deon, an HPCSA-registered plastic surgeon who performs the procedure under general anaesthetic in an accredited day-hospital. Where a range is given, the higher end reflects longer theatre time, additional procedures (such as fat grafting or a chemical peel), or post-operative garments supplied as part of the package. The article answers the most common pricing questions patients ask at consultation, and points you to the consultation form if you would like a personalised quote.
How much does a face and neck lift cost at Dr Deon?
A face and neck lift with Dr Deon
typically starts from R 110 000 , depending on the complexity of the procedure and any additional enhancements required. This price reflects the high-quality surgical care, experienced support team, and advanced techniques used to create long-lasting, natural results.
The figure above is the surgeon’s fee, the day-hospital theatre fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, and the routine follow-up visits bundled into a single quote. It assumes an overnight stay is not required, which is the typical pathway for a healthy patient having a primary (first-time) face and neck lift. Patients who need a revision procedure, who combine the lift with eyelid surgery or a brow lift, or who need a longer theatre day because of extensive prior scarring will be quoted above the starting figure.
What patients can expect to pay
Beyond the headline starting price, the realistic cost of a face and neck lift in South Africa sits in a band rather than a single figure. Most patients fall into one of three brackets, depending on what their particular surgery involves:
| Patient profile | Likely price band | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard face and neck lift | From R 110 000 | Surgeon, anaesthetist, day-hospital theatre, follow-up visits |
| Lift with fat grafting or chemical peel | R 110 000 – R 145 000 | Adds one ancillary procedure under the same anaesthetic |
| Combined lift with eyelid surgery or brow lift | R 145 000 – R 195 000 | Adds a second major procedure, longer theatre time, separate surgeon work |
These bands are calibrated to Dr Deon’s practice at the Pretoria rooms. Surgeons in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban price differently, driven mostly by day-hospital contracts, anaesthetist fees, and the local cost of nursing staff. National medical-aid schemes do not typically cover cosmetic face and neck lifts, so the figure is almost always an out-of-pocket cost paid before surgery.
What influences the final cost?
A face and neck lift is not a single procedure. It is a combination of work on the SMAS layer (the deeper facial support layer), the platysma muscle in the neck, and the skin envelope. The time that takes varies by patient, and the variables below are what move a quote up or down within that variation.
Several factors contribute to the total cost of a face and neck lift in South Africa:
- Surgical technique required
- Anaesthetic and theatre fees
- Post-surgical care
The technical plan is the largest cost driver. A patient who needs deep-plane work on the SMAS and a platysmaplasty (the muscle-band repair in the front of the neck) will spend longer in theatre than one whose lift is limited to skin and superficial fat. Anaesthetic time scales linearly with theatre time, and the day-hospital bill scales with both. Post-operative care, garments, and additional review visits are bundled into the package but are itemised on the quote so patients can see what they are paying for.
Surgical technique and complexity
The depth of work determines how long the procedure takes. A skin-only lift is the shortest and least common in modern practice; most contemporary surgeons work on the SMAS layer, and a deep-plane lift extends that work further into the midface. Add a neck lift that includes platysma repair, and the case is a four-to-six-hour procedure rather than a three-hour one. Each extra hour in theatre adds anaesthetic time and day-hospital cost, and the surgeon’s fee scales with the number of anatomical zones worked on.
Anaesthesia, theatre, and day-hospital fees
These are included in most comprehensive quotes and vary depending on surgery time. Anaesthetic and theatre time are billed by the hour, and the day-hospital charges a facility fee that covers the operating theatre, recovery room, and nursing care while the patient is on site. Where quotes vary most between practices is the choice of facility: an accredited day-hospital with overnight-stay capability tends to be cheaper than a full acute hospital for the same procedure, because overhead is lower.
Post-operative care and follow-up
Follow-up visits, dressings, and recovery support may influence the overall pricing. A typical package includes the first week of dressing changes and a suture removal appointment at day 7. Some practices include a longer review window (up to 12 months for scar checks); others charge per visit after the first month. Patients travelling from outside Gauteng should ask how many in-person reviews are bundled before travel becomes an additional cost.
What is included in the cost of a face and neck lift?
When Dr Deon provides a written quote, the figure covers every fixed cost of the surgical episode. Patients comparing quotes from different surgeons should confirm the same inclusions are present before assuming one fee is cheaper than another. A lower figure that excludes anaesthetic or the day-hospital can end up costing more once those items are added back.
A full treatment journey with Dr Deon typically includes:
- Pre-surgical consultations
- The surgical procedure
- Theatre and anaesthetic fees
- Follow-up care and monitoring
- Post-operative instructions and recovery support
The pre-surgical consultations include the first assessment, a second visit to review consent and discuss the surgical plan in detail, and any pre-operative blood tests or ECG that the anaesthetist requests. Theatre and anaesthetic fees are split between the anaesthetist’s bill and the day-hospital facility fee. Follow-up care covers dressing changes, suture removal, and a final scar check at three to six months. Post-operative instructions are given in writing before discharge and reinforced at each review.
Who performs the surgery?
Face and neck lifts at the practice are performed by Dr Deon, an HPCSA-registered plastic surgeon. The theatre team includes a registered anaesthetist and a circulating nurse familiar with facial surgery. The day-hospital is accredited and equipped for overnight observation where a patient’s medical history requires it.
Risks and complications
Any surgical procedure carries risk, and a face and neck lift is no exception. The risks listed here are the ones Dr Deon discusses in consent at consultation; they are presented in plain language so that patients can ask follow-up questions in the second visit. Most complications are minor and resolve without further surgery, but the small risk of a longer-term problem is real and should be weighed against the benefit of the procedure.
- Hematoma (bleeding under the skin): occurs in roughly 1–3% of face and neck lifts in published series. Small hematomas are observed; larger ones are returned to theatre for evacuation. Smokers and patients on anticoagulants are at the higher end of this band.
- Seroma (fluid collection under the skin): most common in the neck, especially after platysmaplasty. Usually managed with needle aspiration in the rooms at a follow-up visit.
- Nerve injury: the marginal mandibular nerve (which controls the lower lip) and the great auricular nerve (sensation to the ear and cheek) are most at risk. Temporary weakness or numbness is common in the first weeks; permanent injury is rare (under 1% in published series).
- Scarring: incisions are placed in front of the ear, around the earlobe, and into the hairline behind the ear. Scars are red for the first three months and fade over twelve to eighteen months. Hypertrophic or widened scars occur in a small percentage of patients and may require steroid injection or revision.
- Skin loss: rare, most often behind the ear in smokers. Avoided by stopping smoking at least four weeks before and after surgery.
- Asymmetry and contour irregularity: small differences between the two sides are common in the early weeks and usually settle as swelling resolves.
Patients on blood thinners, with uncontrolled blood pressure, with diabetes that affects wound healing, or who smoke should discuss these factors explicitly at consultation. They do not necessarily exclude surgery but do change the risk profile and may change the surgical plan. The practice advises smoking cessation for at least four weeks before and after the procedure.
Recovery timeline after a face and neck lift
Recovery is a process of weeks and months, not days. Most patients are presentable in public within two to three weeks, but the final contour is still settling at three to six months. The table below shows what to expect at each stage and what activity is safe to resume. Patients who follow the post-operative instructions reliably end up with shorter, more predictable recoveries than those who do too much too early.
| Time after surgery | Typical appearance | Activity allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | Bandages in place; swelling and bruising at maximum | Rest, head elevated, light walking indoors |
| Day 4–7 | Sutures visible at incision lines; bruising starts to fade | Suture removal around day 7; short outdoor walks |
| Week 2–3 | Most bruising gone; swelling still present but not obvious to others | Return to desk work; avoid strenuous activity |
| Week 4–6 | Swelling continuing to refine; scars beginning to flatten | Light cardio; scar massage begins |
| Month 3–6 | Final contour emerging; scars maturing | All normal activity, including heavy exercise |
How to get an accurate quote
The fastest path to a written quote is the online consultation form on the practice website. Patients upload three to five photographs (front, both sides, and a three-quarter view from each side), and the practice returns a fee estimate and a recommendation on whether to book an in-person consultation. Patients who live outside Gauteng or who have already had a facelift elsewhere and are seeking a revision are particularly suited to starting online.
To book by phone, call 011 875 1694 during office hours. The practice is open Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00, and Saturday morning by appointment. The rooms are at the practice in Pretoria, with parking on site.
For patients comparing surgeons, the HPCSA register is the authoritative way to confirm that any surgeon quoting for facial surgery holds current registration. The register lists the surgeon’s qualification, registration number, and any conditions on practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is financing available for a face and neck lift?
Dr Deon’s practice does not arrange in-house financing. Some patients use external medical-finance providers such as MediFin or Surgery Loans, both of which offer repayment plans over 12 to 36 months subject to credit approval. The practice provides a detailed quote on request so the application can be supported with line-item figures.
How long does a face and neck lift last?
Most patients enjoy results that last 10–15 years, depending on lifestyle and skin quality. The procedure does not stop the natural ageing process; it resets the visible appearance. Patients who maintain stable weight, avoid significant sun exposure, and do not smoke tend to see longer-lasting results. Secondary procedures are possible but are technically more demanding.
Is the recovery long?
Most people return to normal activities in 2–3 weeks, with swelling continuing to refine over several months. Desk-based work can resume within 14 days for most patients. Heavy physical activity, including gym work and running, should wait until six weeks post-surgery to avoid raising blood pressure in the healing tissues.
Are the scars visible?
Incisions are placed discreetly and become faint over time. The pre-auricular incision sits in the crease in front of the ear, the post-auricular incision runs into the hairline behind the ear, and a small submental incision sits under the chin. All three are designed to be concealed in normal social settings from a few weeks after surgery onwards.
How long is the surgery?
A standard face and neck lift takes between three and five hours under general anaesthetic. Combined procedures (lift plus blepharoplasty, lift plus brow lift, or lift plus fat grafting) take longer depending on what is added. Theatre time is confirmed after surgical planning, and the anaesthetist reviews the case the day before surgery.
Will I need an overnight stay?
Most patients go home the same day once the day-hospital nursing team has confirmed recovery from anaesthetic. Patients travelling from outside Gauteng, those living alone, and those having combined procedures may stay overnight at the day-hospital or at a nearby guest house. The practice team helps arrange the logistics on a case-by-case basis.
Does medical aid cover a face and neck lift?
Medical aids in South Africa typically do not cover cosmetic procedures. Where a lift is medically indicated (for example, after significant weight loss where skin redundancy causes functional problems), part of the cost may be claimable. Patients should check with their medical aid before assuming any contribution, and the practice can provide a detailed procedure description on request.
Book a face and neck lift consultation with Dr Deon
The first step is a consultation, either online via the photo-review form or in person at the Pretoria rooms. During the consultation, Dr Deon examines facial anatomy, discusses what is realistic given the patient’s underlying structure, and provides a written quote that itemises surgeon, anaesthetist, day-hospital, and follow-up care. There is no obligation to proceed, and the second visit (closer to surgery) is included in the package.
To start online, submit three to five photographs and a brief history through the Online Consultation & Photo Review form. To book in person, call 011 875 1694 or email [email protected]. The practice team will confirm the next available appointment and send through the pre-consultation paperwork.
Also Read:
- Is a Facelift Safer Than Botox? | Key Differences Explained
- Lower Face Lift for Jowls | Restore a Youthful Jawline
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The figures and timelines described reflect typical cases at Dr Deon’s practice and may not apply to your situation. Individual outcomes, recovery, and pricing vary. Always discuss your particular case with a qualified, HPCSA-registered plastic surgeon before making a decision about surgery. If you have questions about whether a face and neck lift is right for you, please contact the practice to book a consultation.
