Cosmetic Surgery Face Lift

For a long time, face lift surgery was on the decline. People who would’ve previously gone for a facelift opted for alternative fixes such as Botox, Collagen, and other injectables/fillers. The trend is now passing as people are seeing that the traditional facelift is longer-lasting and has better results at eliminating the signs of aging. It is important for people considering the procedure to understand, however, that a facelift is a serious, major surgical procedure. Most experts agree that it should be avoided unless no other method of achieving your goal is available. Minor signs of aging can be fixed with a combination of injectables, laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion, all of which are much safer and less invasive than plastic surgery.

The ideal candidates for a cosmetic surgery face lift are between the ages of 40 and 70. Their face will show obvious signs of aging, including the following:

• Deep creases along the forehead
• Sagging of the cheeks
• Creases around the eyes
• Creases on the sides of the nose to past the mouth
• Sagging jowls
• Displaced fat deposits
• Loose skin and fat sagging under the chin

The first step toward receiving a surgical facelift is to see a surgeon for a consultation and evaluation. The doctor will look at the patient’s medical history and perform a physical examination. A good plastic surgeon will also ask about patient expectations and discuss the pros and cons of the procedure. The best surgeons are those with experience and those who are specialists in facial plastic surgery instead of general plastic surgery.

Once a decision has been made by both the doctor and the patient, pre-op instructions will be given that must begin to be followed two weeks before the surgery. Instructions include eating and drinking requirements, smoking, and drugs to be avoided.

Several different cosmetic surgery face lift procedures are now available to the general public. As procedures become refined over the years, techniques improve and evolve. No matter which specific technique is used, there will be three key elements to the facelift:

• Anasthesia – In most instances, general anesthesia will be necessary. Some minor procedures, however, can be performed with only a combination of local anesthesia and sedatives.

• The cut – Every type of facelift requires an incision. They are usually done in front of the ears and behind them. Sometimes incisions are made into the scalp. For men, incisions are made around the beard lines for natural camouflage.

• The lift – After the incisions, the surgeon will separate the skin from the muscle. Sometimes excess fat is removed via liposuction. Some procedures may also call for the muscle being slightly reshaped. The skin is then lifted, stitched back together, and the excess is removed.

Total time for face lift cosmetic surgery is anywhere from two to four hours as an outpatient procedure. If any difficulties were encountered, an overnight stay may be necessary for observation. Pain is managed by over-the-counter or prescription medications. The face will be black and blue, and drainage tubes may need to be put in place for the first few days. Strenuous activity must be avoided for six weeks, but the patient can engage in light activity after two weeks. Even though most of the healing will have taken place by the seventh week, doctors recommend that the surgery be performed a minimum of three months before any major events, such as social gatherings where appearance is important.