Cosmetic surgeon Gina Maccarone explains why she chose a facelift at 45

Cincinnati-based cosmetic surgeon Gina Maccarone chose to have a deep-plane facelift when she turned 45, aiming to correct early neck and jawline laxity that she herself was beginning to notice. She scheduled the procedure for April and traveled roughly 100 miles to Ohio State University, where Dr. Leslie Kim performed the surgery. Maccarone explained that intervening sooner preserves tissue quality and extends the durability of the results, a factor she believes benefits both patients and surgeons.

Although her husband initially questioned the need for the operation, he later approved it after observing the modest improvement. The surgeon highlighted the importance of selecting a doctor who passes a “vibe check,” emphasizing trust and comfort in the patient-surgeon relationship. She also shared that openly discussing her experience helps reduce stigma around cosmetic procedures.