Facelift surgery is design to prevent sagging by providing a more youthful appearance. With aging comes skin that loses volume and elasticity, creating the appearance of jowls and wrinkles. For this reason, men and women often consider a facelift as they age.
A facelift can provide a dramatic change in appearance, all the while allowing you to still maintain your overall look. If you are considering a facelift, you might have some questions. Read on to learn more about the cosmetic procedure.
What Does a Doctor Consider Before Agreeing to Perform a Facelift?
Doctors want to determine that you are a good candidate before performing a facelift. This includes gathering your medical history and some information about your emotional and physical well-being.
First, the doctor will assess your motivation and goals for the procedure. Your goals should not be to live an entirely new life because of your facelift. Rather, you must have a healthy attitude toward the procedure in which you incorporate your new look into a total package of emotional and physical health.
Doctors also want to ensure that you are not smoking or participating in other behaviors that make the facelift procedure less beneficial. They also often ask if you are going to have social support throughout the procedure.
Additionally, the doctor will ensure you have not recently undergone a traumatic event. If you have recently lost a loved one or experienced a severe physical trauma, you might not necessarily be ready for a facelift. Your doctor also wants to know that you understand the risks associated with facelifts.
Risks include scarring and complications of anesthesia, as well as end results that don’t meet your expectations. While facelifts are relatively safe, every medical procedure comes with potential risks.
Are There Different Types of Facelifts?
Several types of facelifts exist. The facelift you need depends on your goals and outcome desires. If you have problem areas, you can discuss them with your doctor for a personalized recommendation.
Some people consider fillers rather than a facelift. Fillers add volume without requiring surgery, and they come without the risk of anesthesia complications. Fillers also come with less recovery time.
The mid-facelift deals with sagging cheeks or an appearance that makes you look tired or sad. This procedure addresses the elasticity of the skin surrounding your eyes, nose, and cheeks.
Next, a lower facelift addresses issues like jowls and the neck. The doctor may correct corners of the mouth that appear to sag down. Often, people are talking about a lower facelift when they mention any form of a facelift.
What Is Recovery Like?
Following a facelift, bruising and swelling are common in the days immediately following surgery. The specific recovery time differs based on what other surgeries you combine with the facelift, like eyelid surgery or a forehead lift.
The first two days of recovery are often the most difficult. Patients tend to experience the most pain in this time period. You can use a cold compress to address bruising and swelling of the face and neck.
Within about a week, most patients stop using their pain medication and stop wearing a compression garment. You may have drains and stitches removed in this period.
After about two weeks, you will be able to return to most normal activities, though you should not pursue strenuous activity for about one month. Talk to your doctor about specific recommendations for your case.
Are you interested in a facelift or another type of cosmetic surgery? Get in touch with
Ronald C. Barry, MD
, to learn more about your options. Call today to set up a consultation to see if a facelift is right for you.
