Facelift surgery allows you to turn back the clock, reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines to leave you looking your best. Before any kind of surgery (cosmetic or otherwise), it is important that you understand each phase of the procedure. That means fully comprehending exactly what occurs prior to facelift surgery, during the surgery, and throughout the recovery process.
The best way to learn this information is during a consultation with a board-certified, plastic surgeon. However, if you are still unsure if a facelift is right for you and are not ready to come in for a consultation, below you can find six things you need to know if you are considering a facelift.
1. You Need to Have Realistic Expectations
The first thing to keep in mind with any cosmetic surgery is that you need to come in with realistic expectations. While facelift surgery can greatly reduce signs of aging and improve your overall appearance, the procedure cannot drastically alter your appearance to give you the ideal face and bone structure of your dreams. There are limitations to what a plastic surgeon can do, and it is vital for any potential facelift patient to understand the expected outcome for the procedure.
A great way to see what you can expect from facelift surgery is to look at the before and after pictures from other facelift patients. While the results of any cosmetic surgery will be unique for each individual, it will at least allow you to see the impact a facelift can have on an individual’s appearance. Make sure to talk with your plastic surgeon during your initial consultation about the expected results of facelift surgery in terms of the possibilities and limitations.
2. Choose a Plastic Surgeon You Trust
The most important aspect of facelift surgery is having a plastic surgeon that you trust. You are putting your health, physical appearance and safety in this individual’s hands, so make sure you are confident in their abilities. Thoroughly research each prospective plastic surgeon, by making sure they are board-certified in plastic surgery (check www.plasticsurgery.org), have significant experience performing a variety of facelift surgical techniques, have before and after pictures of their actual patients who have had a facelift surgery with the surgeon you are considering and have patients who are willing to speak with you regarding their experience. Check out the surgeon’s reviews and testimonials online, allowing you to get firsthand accounts of their skills and personality.
When you go in for a consultation, treat it like you are interviewing them for the position of being your chosen plastic surgeon. Come prepared with your questions and concerns and ask about their particular past experience addressing your unique goals. Most importantly, make sure you are comfortable with the surgeon and are able to clearly communicate with them, feel confident in their ability and feel at ease with their staff and facility.
3. Consider the Cost of a Facelift
While the cost of a facelift can vary based on the individual and their aesthetic goals, a facelift generally costs somewhere between $8,000 and $14,000+. When considering cost and options, remember this is your face you are trusting to someone. Experience and training along with your safety and comfort should be the most important factors in choosing who you place your trust with to do your surgery. The right choice is priceless and opting for a less expensive option may risk less than optimal results, the need for revision surgery, or worse, an unsafe experience. Investing in a facelift with the right surgeon for you will mean 10 to 20 years of positive benefits.
Most practices offer financing plans that include zero percent interest options. These plans allow patients to recognize their dreams at a reasonable cost with low monthly payment options.
4. The Right Age for Facelift Surgery
Most patients considering facelift surgery are in their 50s or older. Younger patients may initially benefit from less invasive skincare treatments, chemical peels, laser resurfacing or injectables like Botox and facial fillers. If you are planning on undergoing facelift surgery, you want to make sure you are choosing the very best time for the procedure. There is no age limit and no age minimum, however, patients generally see the greatest benefit between the ages of 50 to 75. Depending on a patient’s age, chemical peels, fat grafting, Botox or facial fillers may be used together with a facelift to achieve optimal results.
5. Make Sure You Are Mentally Prepared
Most often patients considering a facelift have reached the point in their life where the face they see in the mirror does not reflect the energy they have and does not portray the way they feel about themselves.
Facelifts allow patients to project their inner self-confidence to the outer world. However, in the post-operative period, patients will be swollen and bruised and won’t initially appear as the youthful self they have been hoping to see. Healing takes time and patience. Patients will immediately notice improvements and these improvements will continue day by day over the next several weeks.
6. Be Prepared for the Recovery Process
Facelift surgery requires a recovery period like all surgeries. While every patient recovers differently, in general, it will be somewhere between 10-14 days before you can return to work and resume your normal, everyday life. Most patients are able to work from home within a few days following surgery. Patients can return to exercise and full activity after 6 weeks. Patients are encouraged to keep their head elevated to support the resolution of swelling. Patients may drive if they are not taking prescription pain medication. Most patients find over the counter Tylenol is sufficient to control any discomfort as a facelift is not particularly painful. Patients should plan to have an adult stay with them for the first 24 hours following surgery.
Schedule a Facelift Surgery Consultation with Dr. Lapuerta
If you are interested in learning more about facelift surgery, you need to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During a consultation, you can ask the surgeon any and all questions you may have about the procedure, making it essential that you find a plastic surgeon who is able to communicate complicated information in an easy to understand way. Dr. Leo Lapuerta, a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience serving patients in Houston, Katy and Pearland, Texas, has earned an excellent reputation as a surgeon who partners with patients to provide them the results they are hoping to achieve. If you are considering facelift surgery, contact Dr. Lapuerta to request a consultation today.