Facelift Surgery
What to Consider Before Facelift Surgery
Face lift surgery, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a type of plastic surgery performed to improve the appearance of the face. During a face lift, excess skin or fat may be removed. Remaining tissues are lifted and contoured to provide a younger and rejuvenated appearance. Most face lift patients choose this procedure to counteract the signs of aging, such as sagging and wrinkled skin. During this procedure, a more youthful appearance is achieved through the lifting, repositioning, or removal of targeted facial tissues.
Types of Face Lift Procedures
There are many types of face lift procedures. During a consultation your plastic surgeon will discuss which option is best for you. Some types of face lift techniques include:
- Traditional Facelift
- Mid-Facelift
- Mini Facelift
- Temporal Facelift
- Deep Plane Facelift
- Platysmaplasty or Submentoplasty
- Subperiosteal Facelift
- Cutaneous (Skin only) Facelift
- SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic System) Facelift
- S-Lift
- Lifestyle Lift
- MACS Lift / QuickLift
- Thread Lift / Feather Lift
Most of face lift techniques focus on the lower areas of the face, such as the jawline, jowls, and cheeks. Some facelifts can also focus on the middle of the face or on the forehead. If you wish to focus extensively on the upper portion of the face, a forehead lift or brow lift may be the better option for you.
Regardless of the type of face lift procedure you are undergoing, the first step is for the surgeon to create an incision, which allows access to the underlying tissues. Usually, the incision is made in front of each ear, although there are other options, depending on the area of the face being targeted and the amount of change desired. The surgery itself may include the removal of excess skin or fat, the tightening or loosening of facial muscles, the recontouring of existing tissues, or the addition of implants to increase the volume of the cheeks or chin.
This process can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on the extent of improvement desired. Face lifts can vary from minor cosmetic surgery to major surgery. A mini face lift, for example, is a less invasive form of the face lift procedure. Also known as a “weekend facelift”, this procedure is associated with a faster recovery time, but cannot produce the dramatic results available with a full face lift. These procedures may be done through incisions behind the hairline or in natural facial creases. Mini face lifts can also be done endoscopically, or through a small tube, rather than a more extensive incision.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Face Lift?
You may be a good candidate for a face lift if you are between the ages of 35 and 65 and have started to notice visible signs of aging in your face. Face lifts are able to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles, reduce the sagging of facial skin, and result in a younger and well-rested appearance. Face lifts may also improve the appearance of deep facial folds, such as laugh lines. This procedure works best on those who feel that they could benefit from the lifting of facial skin to a higher position on the face in order to counteract the effects of gravity.
This procedure, as with most forms of facial plastic surgery, works best on those who still have some skin elasticity remaining. As we age, our skin naturally becomes less elastic. For this reason, patients who are over 65 may not achieve the results they desire with a facelift, although many patients of this age have undergone facelifts successfully. Patients who undergo a facelift or other elective surgical procedures must be in good overall health. Ideally, patients are at or near their ideal weight, although facelifts can also be performed on those who are moderately overweight.
In addition to these medical considerations, it is also important for prospective facelift candidates to be realistic about the results a facelift can achieve. This procedure cannot make you look like an entirely different person, but it can turn back the clock on some of the signs of aging. Patients should also be aware of the potential risks and complications as well as the face lift recovery time after surgery.
Finding a Face Lift Surgeon
Other than the cost of face lift surgery, its important to find a surgeon that is very experienced. When choosing a facelift surgeon, make sure they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or other association such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASPS) or American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). Though membership in any society or board-certification does not guarantee a successful outcome most certifying boards like these require extensive medical training, experience, and rigorous surgical education which can ensure that the most appropriate techniques are used for your facelift surgery while reducing the risk of complications.