As you get older, the skin on your face can wrinkle, droop, and sag. Furthermore, the skin of your face might look fatty, loose, and saggy. Although aging is a natural process, these changes on your face and neck can make you feel and look decades older than you are. Unfortunately, this might hurt your self-worth and make it more difficult for you to face life with confidence. The good news is that you can improve your facial appearance and acquire more youthful looks by simply going for facelift surgery. But what exactly is facelift surgery, and how can it benefit you? Here is everything you need to know about this popular cosmetic surgical procedure.
What Is Facelift Surgery?
Facelift surgery is a cosmetic surgical procedure that seeks to create a younger-looking face. Also known as rhinoplasty, the procedure essentially involves reducing sagging skin, altering the underlying tissue, and smoothing out the fold of skin on the face. A neck lift may also be part of the proceedure if there is a need to remove excess fat and skin from the neck.
Ideal Candidate for Facelift Surgery
Like with any other cosmetic surgical procedure, not everyone with the desire to have a younger-looking face qualifies for a facelift. The ideal candidate for the procedure should:
- Be healthy and free of medical conditions that could negatively affect the healing process.
- Be a non-smoker or willing to quit smoking
- Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations
Lastly, it is important to note that facelift surgery is a personalized procedure, and the results are usually unique in every case. Therefore, you should not seek a facelift hoping to look like someone else because you will most likely end up disappointed.
Facelift Surgery Benefits
Although there are other cosmetic treatments used to address the facial symptoms of aging, the proceedure stands out for several reasons. For instance, facelift surgery is more effective in smoothing out folds of skin and removing sagging skin compared to non-surgical facial treatments. Besides, facelift surgery results are long-lasting. Indeed, you can expect the results to last up to ten years, and even after the ten years, you will most likely look younger than you would if you never had a facelift. Furthermore, although it may have dramatic results, it will not significantly alter the facial features that make you uniquely you. Therefore, the procedure will restore your younger appearance without an overstretched or plastic look. As such, unless you tell other people that you had a facelift, they will not know.
Facelift Surgery Risks
Despite all the benefits associated with facelift surgery, it is not without risks. Some of the risks associated with facelift surgery include:
- Surgical site infection
- Poor healing
- Unfavorable scarring
- Unpleasant aesthetic results
- Anesthesia risks
- Excessive bleeding
- Persistent pain
- Persistent numbness
- Persistent swelling
The good news is that by choosing an experienced plastic surgeon, some of these risks can be minimized. But during your initial meeting with the surgeon, the risks will be discussed in detail to help you make an informed decision.
FAQs About Facelift Surgery
How long does facelift surgery take?
If you have a busy schedule, you might be wondering how much time the procedure will require. Every case is unique, but you can expect the procedure to take three to six hours. However, preoperative and postoperative procedures might take a few more hours. For instance, you might be required to spend an hour or so in the recovery room after the procedure. Therefore, although you will be allowed to go home the same day, you should not be in a hurry.
How much downtime does facelift surgery require?
Recovery is an important part of every surgical procedure. After undergoing the proceedure, you will need up to six weeks to recover fully. However, you will be in a position to go back to work after about a week or two. Therefore, if you are thinking of having a facelift, you should be prepared to take a couple of weeks off from work or school.
How soon can I see the full results?
Facelift surgery is effective in reducing sagging skin, and therefore, you will notice a difference almost immediately. However, the immediate improvement may be obscured by swelling and bruising. Therefore, the results will keep improving as swelling and bruising subsides. Although full recovery will take about six weeks, it might take up to six months to see the full results.
How painful is facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Therefore, you will not experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure itself. However, in the first few days of the recovery period, you may undergo some painful moments. However, your surgeon will prescribe some pain medications to help you manage pain and make your recovery as comfortable as possible.
