If you’ve been dismayed by aging and want to look younger, a facelift may be just what you need. However, you need to understand the procedure before you decide to undergo it.
A facelift moves deep facial tissues back to youthful positions and removes excess skin. You can expect swelling, bruising, and tightness after surgery.
The Procedure
A facelift (rhytidectomy) corrects jowls, sagging facial skin and a drooping neckline. The surgeon repositions the tissue and muscle and trims excess fat. The surgeon sews, staples or tapes the incisions closed and applies a bandage. The surgeon may drain your nose to remove fluid and blood from the wound.
The surgeon performs a thorough facial exam, including close-up photos and measurements of the skin and tissues, to determine the best technique for you. They’ll also ask you to describe your cosmetic goals.
During your initial consultation, the surgeon will take your medical history and review all your medications, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements. They will want to know if you smoke or have any pre-existing health issues. Smokers are at a greater risk of complications after a facelift, so you should quit smoking before the procedure. Patients with medical problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, must discuss their condition with the doctor to ensure they’re healthy before surgery. This is a critical step in the facelift process because the results of your surgery will depend on it.
Recovery
A facelift in San Francisco is a major surgery affecting your appearance and life. As such, it is important to prepare for recovery.
This includes arranging for someone to drive you home after surgery and care for you for the first day or two. You may not be able to go because of the effects of the anesthesia or prescription pain medication.
It is helpful to apply cold compresses to your face during recovery to reduce swelling. The cold compress causes blood vessels to contract, which reduces swelling and bruising.
Following your plastic surgeon’s instructions regarding recovery and rest is important. You could delay healing and compromise the results of a facelift if you return to normal activities too soon. Therefore, choosing a plastic surgery with a trustworthy reputation is important. Discuss any existing medical conditions with your surgeon before a facelift.
Cost
Facelifts are expensive for a variety of reasons. A consultation with a doctor is the best way to find an exact price. Choosing a trustworthy surgeon with a good track record would be best. It is better to spend more on a doctor you trust than to save money but end up with disappointing results.
A facelift tightens sagging facial skin and lax musculature. It also reduces wrinkles, creases, and jowls, leaving you with a youthful appearance that looks natural. This procedure is an excellent choice for men and women who are unhappy with the arrival of their faces because of aging or genetics.
A facelift is typically done with a neck lift, which addresses the area between the jawline and the collarbone. While noninvasive treatments like dermal fillers, BOTOX, lasers, peels, and radio frequency can improve the skin, they cannot provide the same dramatic results as a facelift. Choosing a qualified cosmetic surgeon who can provide you with a detailed evaluation of your facial anatomy and a plan that will achieve your aesthetic goals is important.
The Surgeon
The surgeon who performs your facelift will significantly impact how natural-looking your results are. This is why finding a cosmetic doctor with the right training and experience is important. A good surgeon can discuss your goals and help you determine which facelift techniques best meet your needs.
The goal of a facelift is to move the deep facial tissues back to their more youthful position and remove excess skin. To do this, the surgeon will create incisions hidden within or around the hairline and natural creases of the face and ears. These scars will fade over time to be nearly invisible.
A facelift can take years off your appearance and give you a rejuvenated look. This procedure is particularly effective for people in their 40s and 50s with mild to moderate facial aging. Getting a facelift in this age range can prevent future aging and help you avoid more serious surgeries later, saving money and recovery time. For a complete cosmetic makeover, a facelift can be combined with other facial plastic surgery procedures and treatments, such as a brow lift, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, or neck lift.
The Results
A facelift can improve the appearance of sagging tissues in the lower two-thirds of the face. It is a procedure that can be performed on men and women who want to look rejuvenated but natural. Surgical techniques have evolved; the most modern ones focus on supporting the face with deep layers while allowing the skin to drape naturally.
The best candidates for facelift surgery are non-smokers in good health who have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. It’s common for people in their 40s or 50s to undergo a facelift, although it can also be done on patients in their 70s.
During a facelift, surgeons will make an incision in the front of your ear and behind it. The incisions are placed where they can be hidden in the hairline or the fold just in front of the ear. This helps to hide scarring after the surgery. It is also important to discuss any underlying health issues with your surgeon, such as uncontrolled blood pressure or a tendency for excessive bleeding.