A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure to reduce the evident signs of aging on the neck and face. The surgery improves signs of aging, such as:
- Deep fold line between the nose and the corner of the mouth.
- Sagging facial skin
- Cheeks on cheeks or jaw
- There is too much fat on the neck, like a double chin.
Facial loss in youth occurs due to factors such as loss of facial fat, stress, smoking, or heredity.
Who is the best candidate for a facelift?
You are eligible for a facelift if you are healthy and do not have any medical conditions that may interfere with your recovery. On the other hand, you must be a non-smoker and have positive and realistic expectations. In addition, you should not have repeated weight changes.
What is the procedure for a facelift?
A facelift will require a thorough procedure, from an examination by a plastic surgeon to the surgery itself. Below is the process:
Early preparation
- Consult a plastic surgeon about a facelift by providing documentation of your medical history and answering questions about past surgeries. Second, you will give the dosage names of all medications you take. After your facelift, you will also talk to your surgeon about your positive expectations.
- Facial examination: The plastic surgeon examines your facial shape, bone structure, fat distribution, and skin quality. The examination will help determine the best options for facelift surgery.
Preparing for facelift surgery
- Your plastic surgeon will counsel you to stop taking blood thinner medications or supplements. Stop taking any blood thinning supplements about two weeks before surgery. Consult your surgeon about the best treatment options to avoid complications.
- Don’t eat after midnight before your facelift. However, you can continue to take your approved medications with water.
- Find someone to help you get home and provide overnight care after your facelift surgery.
- On the morning of surgery, wash your face with germicidal soap.
The facelift procedure itself
The procedure can be achieved using local anesthesia or sedation. These actions may result in numbness of the face and neck or drowsiness.
During facelift surgery, flaps of skin and tissue on each side are pulled back, reshaping the tissue. The surgeon will remove excess skin. In addition, a neck lift can often remove excess fat and free skin in the neck area.
What to Expect After a Facelift
After surgery, you may experience numbness, swelling, bruising, and mild pain. You should see your surgeon if you experience irregular heartbeats or severe pain.
Self-care skills after a facelift
- Apply ice or a cold compress to your face and neck to relieve pain.
- Rest with your head elevated to reduce blood flow to the area. This helps reduce inflammation.
- Consult your surgeon about what shampoo and soap you can use.
- Avoid clothing that pulls on your head to relieve pressure.
- Don’t wear cosmetics
- Don’t skip aerobic activity.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
Recovery time after facelift
Many people recover within four weeks. Others took up to six weeks. In some rare cases, it may take three to four months to heal and notice benefits fully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift
How long does a facelift take?
A typical facelift surgery takes at least two hours and a maximum of six hours.
How long do the results of a facelift last?
A facelift’s benefits are not permanent as you continue to age and your skin sags. On average, the results of a facelift last about ten years. However, you will also look younger than if you had not had the surgery.
Is a facelift painful?
A plastic surgeon performs the procedure under general anesthesia or sedation. These treatments numb the face and neck area or make you fall asleep. You will not feel any pain during the operation.
However, you may experience mild pain after surgery. The pain can also become a bruising sensation as you swell. Usually, the skin on the face is heavy.
At what age should you have a facelift?
A facelift is usually done between 40 and 60; however, younger and older patients may qualify. Many people notice increased signs of aging during this time. If you have wrinkles, sagging skin, and deep folds at the angles of your nose and mouth, check your health and rejuvenate your face.
How many years younger do you want after a facelift?
The plastic and reconstructive surgery company previously conducted a study that found that people with a facelift considered themselves 12 years younger than their current age.
When is it too late to have a facelift?
There is no age limit at which you may consider yourself too old to have a facelift. If your plastic surgeon confirms your health after examining you, you may be eligible for cosmetic surgery.
