A facelift is a revolutionary surgery that lifts and tightens facial tissues that have lost their elasticity due to aging.
During the procedure, the surgeon will carefully reposition the tissue and fat beneath the skin to lift and tighten your face and extract excess skin that is causing jowls or sagging to occur. It is also commonly performed to smooth out any facial creases.
You should consider a facelift if you do not consume large amounts of alcohol or drugs. You must also not have any medical problems that may interfere with surgical recovery and wound healing, and your expectations should also be realistic.
How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon for a Facelift
You should first get referrals to make your choice easier. Take the time to consider how many years of experience the surgeon has performing facelifts. You should also research their surgical credentials, including where they received their medical training.
In addition, you should also review the quality of the hospital or clinic where the surgeon practices. What is the current patient satisfaction level at the medical institution? Are there any lawsuits pending against the surgeon or the medical establishment?
Go over online patient reviews to learn more about the surgeon, their expertise, and their general demeanour. You also need to be fully aware of what your insurance covers. Contact your insurance provider and ask them questions like; does it cover elective procedures like plastic or cosmetic surgery, botox, rhinoplasty, etc?
Different Types of Facelifts
A traditional facelift will involve incisions below the chin and around the hairline and ears. Skin will be separated from the underlying tissues so that the supporting structures and muscles can be adequately tightened around the neck and facial regions.
A SMAS facelift is a variation of a conventional facelift. It focuses on trimming excess fat and skin in the lower face and cheeks and is also designed to tighten muscles.
A deep plane facelift will involve lifting the muscular layer of the face and the patient’s skin and fat as one unit. Multiple areas of the front will be focused on simultaneously.
A cutaneous facelift focuses exclusively on the skin found on the lower face and neck of the patient.
A mid-facelift focuses on the cheeks of the patient. The fat in the cheek is carefully repositioned, and the skin in the area is also prudently tightened.
A mini-facelift will prioritize lifting the neck area and lower face. It is less invasive and faster than the types of facelifts. It is recommended for people with early signs of sagging, such as young adults.
How is Facelift Surgery Performed?
During the consultation, the surgeon will discuss your expectations. They will go over your medications and your personal and family medical history. They will also discuss certain caveats, such as smoking or being on blood thinners.
If you are not a candidate for a facelift due to medical reasons, the surgeon will discuss alternatives to facelifts. Traditionally, a facelift is performed by cutting the hairline near your temples.
Excess skin and fat may be extracted or redistributed. The surgeon will redistribute and tighten the underlying connective tissue and muscle. If skin sagging is minimal, the surgeon will perform a mini-facelift instead of a conventional facelift.
A mini-facelift is less invasive than a traditional facelift and is recommended for young adults dealing with the early signs of skin sagging.
An open surgery facelift involves making a cut that begins at the patient’s temple, runs down the patient’s ear, continues around the back, and concludes at the scalp, near the lower section.
More muscle displacement and incisions are involved, so expect a longer recovery time and a higher risk of complications. Most facelifts will involve bruising, swelling, and pain. You will be prescribed some pain medication to help with the pain and swelling.
You will also be instructed on when to remove any drains or dressings. Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment with you to ensure that everything is going according to plan. Facelift surgery has many benefits when performed by a licensed and qualified surgeon.
Being Selective is Important
Your face is an important part of your body and your overall well-being. When choosing a facelift surgeon, you should not just settle for the cheapest surgeon.
Take the time to research their credentials and experience and go over the quality and reputation of the clinic. If the surgeon has a proven track record of success, then the risk of complications will be minimal.
Sources:
Facelift: How It’s Done, Risks, What to Expect (healthgrades.com)
Facelift (Rhytidectomy): What Is It, Recovery & What to Expect (clevelandclinic.org)
Facelift (Rhytidectomy): What It Is, and What You Should Expect (healthline.com)
