Most often in our 40s and 50s, we really see the signs of aging in our face between the sagging skin, lines and wrinkles. If you’ve thought about whether a facelift would be right for you, read on to learn more about this popular cosmetic surgery and whether you would be a candidate.
What it is
Also known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure that improves the visible signs of aging in the neck and face. Visible signs of aging include sagging skin, deepened fold lines between the nose and the corner of the mouth, jowls in the checks and jaw, unwanted fat, and loose skin and excess fat in the neck that causes a double chin or even turkey neck.
What it isn’t
A facelift can give you a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance, but it will not stop the hands of time and halt the aging process. It will not change your fundamental appearance, meaning it will enhance your natural look but won’t significantly alter your features. It also can’t improve the eyes, brows and forehead but can be combined with additional surgical procedures to help you achieve the results you desire if those are areas of concern as well.
Candidates
If you are an overall healthy person with no medical conditions that would interfere with or impair healing, then you would be a good candidate for a facelift. It’s also important that you are a nonsmoker and have realistic expectations for surgery outcomes.
Consultation
It’s important that you discuss your overall surgical goals during your consultation with your doctor. You will discuss all medical conditions, including current medical treatments and drug allergies. You’ll need to bring a list of current medications and vitamins and supplements that you are taking. You will also discuss outcomes and risks as well as the type of anesthesia that will be used for your surgery.
Procedure
Depending on how much sagging or jowls you have, you may have a full facelift or mini-facelift. A traditional full facelift consists of incisions made behind the hairline, starting at the temples and around the front of the ears. Tissues are repositioned, excess fat is removed and skin is tightened and excess skin is trimmed. If you have less sagging and minimal jowls, a mini-facelift consists of smaller incisions along the hairline above the ear or in the natural creases around the ear.
Want to learn more about facelift surgery? Contact us at (585) 922-5840 today to schedule a consultation.
