What if I told you there’s a way to improve your facial appearance? Talk of taking your look from average to exceptional! A minimally invasive facelift might be something worth trying out. It could help smoothen your skin, giving you a more youthful look in no time. Does it have to cost a fortune? What should you expect? There’s only one way to find out. Read on.
What Does a Facelift Involve?
Wrinkling and facial sagging are inevitable parts of the aging process. A facelift is a surgical procedure that tightens facial tissue or skin, usually under local or general anesthesia. Such surgery may require eliminating excess skin or fat, which may then be redistributed. Neck tissue may also need retightening by first creating an incision under the chin. The surgeon may use dissolvable skin glue or removable stitches, and sutures are applied afterward to close the incisions. Bandages are then applied to facilitate healing. The entire process takes between two to five hours. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Wait, that’s not all.
What About Recovery?
Pre-operative planning by your surgeon can go a long way towards minimizing bruising, which would inevitably affect recovery. You don’t want to be under the weather for longer than is necessary after surgery. Such planning may also minimize the need for the prolonged dressing of a surgical wound so you can get back to normal life in two to four weeks at most.
You may also need a medical prescription to alleviate the initial pain or swelling after surgery. Your surgeon can also recommend a follow-up medical visit to assess your condition or look into any arising issues. A personal skin care plan that involves minimizing your exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is also advised.
Is It Necessary?
What’s your primary motivation for considering a facelift anyway? It can’t just be an afterthought. Are you after a more youthful appearance? You are probably not looking forward to changing your look entirely. Why? Well, your neighbors might mistake you for a potential burglar and call in the police! Wouldn’t that be dramatic?
Does your appearance as you age seem to be sapping away your zest for life? A quick peek in the mirror might tell you all you need to know. Whatever the reasons, they are all personal to us, and we don’t have to justify them. If you feel that a facelift procedure might help you feel your best, go for it. Self-perception counts, and if improving our looks does it for us, then maybe some self-love through a facelift might do the trick.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Does your age matter? Not so much. Some people have a facelift in their 80s. Let me intimate that it might be time to consider getting a facelift as soon as facial changes start to appear, usually in the early 40s to around 60s.
Among the factors that could point to better results in your favor include:
- A strong chin and high cheekbones that hold up well after the procedure.
- Minimal sun damage, meaning your skin is more elastic.
- Minimal extra skin due to weight loss.
A thorough, pre-facelift evaluation by a surgeon is also critical in determining your fitness for the procedure. Anyone with a risk of high blood pressure, allergies to certain medications, and blood clots should reconsider getting a facelift. Cigarette smoking and drug abuse can also affect outcomes of the procedure and should be taken into account.
What are your expectations of the procedure? Are they realistic, and do you understand the potential risks of surgery? Can you live with the outcomes or evaluate ways to improve in case the surgery dashes your expectations?
Safety and Risk
Possible risks of facelift surgery include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Chest-related complications
- Anesthesia risk
- Hair loss
- Prolonged swelling
- Poor results
Screening for potential complications may help avert some of these issues. Discuss with your physician about these possible risks before getting your feet wet. Additionally, ensure your surgeon is board-certified to ascertain their level of expertise.
Cost and Overall Outlook
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery estimates that a facelift costs roughly $7,500 to $12,000. Furthermore, as an elective procedure, it is not covered by insurance, meaning you need to prepare for this out-of-pocket expense.
Costs may also vary by geographical location. Some research can help point you in the right direction on this one.
Beyond the financial outlay, what else do you need to consider? Research indicates that about 75% of people retain a youthful post-facelift appearance six years after the operation.
Nonetheless, be wary that facelifts may distort the look of your earlobes. Also, the removal of too much skin may end up giving you a startled look. Don’t be surprised if this alarms your kids as well. Otherwise, provided your surgeon does a splendid job, there’s not much else to worry about.
Now that you are in the know, should you get a facelift? I’ll leave that choice to you.
