What Can I Expect from a Facelift Procedure?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed by a board-certified and trained doctor. As we age, the skin starts to lose its elasticity. As this happens, the skin can start sagging and wrinkles can develop. This is just a normal process of aging.
Yet, thanks to cosmetic surgery, it is possible to reverse some of the effects of aging and restore a youthful look and appearance. A facelift procedure, which is also called a rhytidectomy, helps remove wrinkles and sagging skin. The procedure tightens facial tissues to help you look younger.
While the term facelift makes people think of the entire face, this isn’t what it means. It refers to the neck and lower part of the face. Many people also include cosmetic procedures for their upper face with their facelift procedure—like an eyebrow lift.
Why Do People Get Facelift Surgery?
Many people like to slow the signs of aging and maintain their youthful look. People of all ages get facelifts as they get older. It is natural to want to try to roll back the clock to when we were younger. Facelift surgery is one way we can do this.
Who Is a Candidate for Facelift Surgery?
Facelift surgery is a surgical procedure, so there are risks you need to be aware of, as well as certain requirements to be an ideal candidate, including but not necessarily limited to:
- Healthy with no current medical conditions that could prevent recovery and wound healing.
- Free from any addictions, including substance abuse and alcohol abuse.
- Having a realistic understanding of the results the facelift will deliver and what the surgery entails.
How Is a Facelift Procedure Performed?
A facelift procedure will vary, depending on your specific needs and objectives, like when you are also having a neck lift or eyebrow lift as part of your procedure. In general, the process can be performed either in a hospital or a surgical clinic.
You will be under anesthesia during the procedure. The cosmetic surgeon makes incisions around the face in areas where they will not be noticeable post-surgery like around the ears and along the hairline.
After the incision is made, the surgeon removes excess skin and redistributes fat to give the face a fuller appearance like it had when you were younger. If there is excess fat, the surgeon will also remove it. The connective tissues and muscles are tightened and redistributed, as needed.
Once all the necessary areas of the face have been treated, the incisions are glued or sutured shut. The surgeon may also install a drainage tube that is removed later. Last, your face is bandaged and wrapped.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Facelift Surgery?
Post-surgery, you will be given pain medication. Some people do experience slight pain and discomfort. Bruising and swelling are common and normal for a facelift procedure. Your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on how to change bandages, when to remove the drainage tube, and about moisturizing your face, etc.
You will have several follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process. The first one is typically within the first week following the surgery. It takes about two weeks for swelling and bruising to subside.
You should wait at least four weeks before resuming normal activities. Your surgeon will give instructions about when you can resume various things.
How Do I Prepare for a Facelift?
The first thing you should do is schedule an initial consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Grossman. During this appointment, Dr. Grossman will determine if you are an ideal candidate for a facelift.
Dr. Grossman may require you to do certain things first before you can get a facelift procedure. He  will also review with you computerized facelift before & after pictures, realistic expectations, and other such details to help you decide if a facelift is right for you.
To schedule your initial consultation, contact Grossman Plastic Surgery at (818) 981-2050 today!