What a facelift costs, and what the price should include

Why one number isn't enough

It's natural to start with the price. Facelifts are a big investment, and it's hard to know what's fair. But a single headline figure tells you very little. One quote might include everything from your first appointment to your last check-up. Another might cover only the surgeon's time. A third might leave out the hospital stay, the anaesthetist or the follow-up, and you won't know unless you ask.

That's why this guide doesn't quote prices. Costs vary by country, city, hospital and surgeon, and they change. Where a surgeon publishes a fee, we show it with what it includes and the date we checked. Here we'll show you what a price should cover, so you can compare quotes on the same terms.

It's also worth asking whether the first consultation is charged, and whether that fee comes off the final price if you go ahead. Some clinics charge, some don't, and either is fine as long as you know up front.

What goes into the price

A complete facelift quote usually involves most of these.

• The surgeon's fee, for planning and performing the operation.
• The anaesthetist's fee. Sometimes this is billed separately by the anaesthetist.
• The hospital or clinic fee, including the operating theatre, nursing care and equipment.
• Overnight stays, and how many nights are included.
• Pre-operative tests or appointments, if needed.
• Medicines to take home, dressings and compression garments.
• Follow-up appointments, how many and over what period.
• The revisions policy: what happens, and who pays, if further surgery is needed.
• Travel and somewhere to stay while you recover, if you're not having surgery near home.

Why quotes differ

Some differences are about the operation itself. A facelift isn't one fixed procedure. Surgeons use different approaches, and some combine it with other work such as a neck lift or eyelid surgery. A longer or more involved operation usually means more theatre time and anaesthetic time.

Others are about where and how it happens. Hospital costs differ between countries and between facilities. Some quotes include an overnight stay. Others assume you'll go home the same day. And some prices are low because things have been left out, only to reappear later as extras.

A higher price doesn't guarantee a better surgeon, and a lower one doesn't mean a worse one. Whatever the figure, check the surgeon's registration first. Training and standing are the same question at any price.

Ask for a written, itemised quote

Ask every clinic for a written quote that lists each part separately. It makes comparing much easier, and it shows you what's missing. When you read it, check:

• Which surgeon is named, and that it's the person who will operate.
• Whether the anaesthetist and hospital fees are included or billed separately.
• How many nights, follow-up appointments and garments are covered.
• What the revisions policy says, in writing.
• The deposit, when the balance is due and the cancellation terms.
• How long the quote is valid for, and the currency it's in.

If anything is vague, ask for it to be spelled out. A clinic that's confident in its pricing won't mind. Keep every quote and email together, so you have a clear record of what was promised if questions come up later. Take our questions to ask at your first consultation with you as well.

If you're travelling for surgery

When the surgery is abroad, the quote is only part of the cost. Add flights, accommodation for the whole recovery period, transfers, someone to travel with you and time off work. Ask what happens, and what it costs, if you need to stay longer or travel back for a follow-up or revision. Our guide to surgery abroad covers the rest.

If a package seems to include everything, ask for the parts to be itemised anyway. And if you're booking through an agency, ask how they're paid. We explain why in who's paying for reviews, rankings and directories.

Sources

• Official medical registers in each country we cover (GMC, Ahpra, Medical Council of New Zealand and others) Official
• Plastic surgery colleges, boards and societies (RACS, ABPS, BAPRAS) Independent