FACE LIFTING
Facelift & Neck Lift
in Los Angeles
Explore Facial Rejuvenation with Dr. Amit Kochhar,
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Facelift & Neck Lift
The face is the first thing people notice, and for many patients, the way they look no longer reflects how they feel. Sagging jowls, a softening jawline, loose neck skin, and deepening folds around the mouth and cheeks can make a person appear older, heavier, or more tired than they actually are. A facelift, and a simultaneous neck lift when indicated, addresses these changes at their anatomical source.
Dr. Amit Kochhar performs facelift and neck lift surgery in Los Angeles with a commitment to natural-looking, long-lasting results. As a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Kochhar has an advanced understanding of the underlying facial anatomy: the muscles, fat compartments, and connective tissue layers that change with age.
He operates at that deeper level to create results that move and age naturally with you. His practice in Santa Monica serves patients from throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and the greater Southern California area.
Facelift Techniques
Finding the Right Approach for You
Not all facelifts are the same. The right technique depends on your anatomy, the degree of aging you
wish to address, your recovery timeline, and your long-term goals. During your consultation, Dr. Kochhar
will evaluate your facial structure and recommend the approach most appropriate for you.
| Technique | Description & Best For |
|---|---|
| Mini Facelift | A less extensive procedure targeting the lower face and early jowling. Smaller incisions, shorter recovery. Best for patients in their 40s–50s with mild to moderate aging who want improvement with minimal downtime. |
| SMAS Facelift | Addresses the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System — the deeper layer of facial tissue — for more comprehensive and longer-lasting results than a skin-only lift. Appropriate for moderate to significant facial aging. |
| Deep Plane Facelift | The most commonly performed facelift in Dr. Kochhar’s practice. A more advanced technique that releases and repositions deeper facial structures, including the midface. Provides the most natural, durable results for significant facial aging. Particularly effective for patients with significant jowling and midface descent. |
| Neck Lift | Targets the neck and jawline specifically — addressing loose neck skin, platysmal banding ('turkey neck'), and submental fullness. Can be performed alone or in combination with a facelift for comprehensive lower face and neck rejuvenation. |
| Combined Procedures | Facelift is frequently combined with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift, forehead lift or fat grafting for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Kochhar will discuss whether combination procedures are appropriate for your goals. |
Why Patients Choose Dr. Kochhar for Facelift Surgery in Los Angeles
A facelift is one of the most consequential decisions a patient can make, and the most important variable is the surgeon.
Dr. Kochhar’s dual board certification in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reflects a depth of facial anatomy training that goes beyond most cosmetic surgeons. His background in complex facial reconstruction, including microvascular surgery and facial paralysis reanimation, means he operates with a precision and anatomical understanding that translates directly into facelift outcomes: cleaner dissection, more natural tissue repositioning, and results that look like you at your best, not like someone who has had surgery.
Every facelift patient at Kochhar Facial Plastic Surgery receives a personalized surgical plan developed over a thorough in-person consultation. Dr. Kochhar does not offer a one-size-fits-all approach.
Double Board-Certified
ABOTO & ABFPRS
Deep Anatomy Expertise
Reconstructive & cosmetic training
Santa Monica, CA
Serving all of Los Angeles
Your Facelift Journey: What to Expect
A 6-Step Process
Step 1
Consultation
Dr. Kochhar meets with you in person to evaluate your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, review your medical history, and determine the most appropriate technique. Imaging may be used to help visualize potential outcomes. There is no pressure — this is an educational visit.
Step 2
Surgical Planning
A customized surgical plan is prepared — technique selection (mini, SMAS, deep plane), combination with neck lift or other procedures, anesthesia planning, and recovery preparation instructions.
Step 3
Surgery
Facelift and neck lift are performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Procedure time is typically 3–5 hours depending on the scope of work.
Step 4
First Week
Drain tubes (if used) are removed within 1–2 days. A gentle compression garment is worn. Bruising and swelling are expected and normal. Most patients rest at home this week.
Step 5
Weeks 2-3
Most patients feel comfortable returning to light social activities. Residual bruising can be covered with makeup after 10–14 days. Sutures are removed within the first 1–2 weeks.
Step 6
Long-Term Results
Final results emerge over 3–6 months as swelling fully resolves. Results typically last 7–10 years depending on the technique, patient age, and lifestyle factors.
Frequently Asked Questions: Facelift & Neck Lift
Good candidates are generally in their 40s–70s with moderate to significant facial aging, in good overall health, and with realistic expectations. The best way to determine candidacy is through a personal consultation with Dr. Kochhar, who will evaluate your facial anatomy, skin quality, and goals.
A mini facelift involves smaller incisions and addresses early to moderate jowling and lower face laxity. It has a shorter recovery but more limited results. A full facelift (SMAS or deep plane technique) addresses deeper structural changes and produces more comprehensive, longer-lasting rejuvenation. Dr. Kochhar will recommend the right approach based on your anatomy.
A neck lift specifically addresses the neck — loose skin, platysmal banding (vertical neck cords), and submental fullness. Many facelift patients benefit from combining a neck lift, as aging affects the face and neck together. During your consultation, Dr. Kochhar will assess whether a combined procedure is appropriate for your goals.
In experienced hands, yes. The goal of modern facelift surgery is not to look ‘done’ but to look like a refreshed version of yourself. Dr. Kochhar’s technique focuses on repositioning deeper tissue layers rather than pulling skin — which is what creates the unnatural, windswept appearance associated with older-style facelifts.
A facelift typically takes 3–4 hours. When combined with a neck lift or additional procedures such as blepharoplasty, total surgical time may be 4–5 hours. Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia.
Most patients take 2 weeks off work and social activities. Bruising and swelling are most significant in the first week and largely resolve by weeks 2–3. Residual swelling gradually improves over 3–6 months. Most patients feel comfortable in social settings by 3 weeks post-op.
Facelift incisions are carefully placed within the natural contours of the ear and hairline, making scars difficult to detect once healed. Proper incision placement and meticulous wound closure are hallmarks of Dr. Kochhar’s technique.
Results from a properly performed SMAS or deep plane facelift typically last 7–10 years. Individual results vary based on technique, patient age, genetics, and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure and smoking. A facelift does not stop aging — it repositions the clock.
Yes, and it frequently is. Common combinations include blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift, fat grafting for volume restoration, and laser resurfacing. Combination procedures can address aging across the full face in a single operative session and recovery period.
Facelift cost varies based on the technique, scope, anesthesia, and facility fees. Facelift surgery is not covered by insurance. Pricing is discussed transparently during your consultation. Dr. Kochhar’s office can provide a detailed quote following your evaluation.
Take the Next Step
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation in Los Angeles
Dr. Kochhar meets personally with every facelift patient to discuss your goals, evaluate your
anatomy, and develop a customized surgical plan. Our practice is located in Santa Monica,
conveniently serving patients throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades,
Malibu, and the greater Southern California area.