Facelifts, or rhytidectomies, are popular cosmetic procedures that remove wrinkles, sagging and a general tired look from the face. Performed by a skillful cosmetic surgeon, While a facelift won’t make you look like your own daughter, if performed by a skilled surgeon, you’ll look years younger.
Steps to Getting a Perfect Facelift
Consult local cosmetic surgeons who have performed numerous facelift procedures. A good plastic surgeon will explain the procedure, preparation, recovery, and potential complications. He will also discuss payment options with you and determine if you’re a good candidate for surgery. If you are, he’ll take your photograph and schedule surgery.
There’s some preparation on your part that you will need to make to have the best facelift experience.
Do you smoke? Time to quit. If you take blood thinning medications or supplements that could interfere with the healing process, you will need to stop taking them, but only under your doctor’s supervision. Discuss all medications and supplements with you plastic surgeon and family doctor before going in for any surgical procedure.
During surgery, your surgeon will comb back your hair and hold it back with a rubber band. Depending on what you and your plastic surgeon decide, you will go under a sedative and local anesthesia (applied to the areas where the incisions will be made) or under general anesthesia (most plastic surgeons prefer this method).
Your surgeons will make small incisions around your temples, ears and lower part of your scalp in an irregular fashion to reduce scarring. He will then create a skin flap and remove or move around fat and tissue under the skin. Your facial muscles will be raised and the skin will be fitted over your newly sculpted face. He will then remove the excess skin and close the incisions using glue or sutures.
Performed by a skilled surgeon, scarring will be minimal and well hidden; they may even appear to be natural lines around the face.
After your facelift procedure, your surgeon will remind you of how to perform self-care during recovery, including pain management, caring for surgical incisions, and when you can return to your normal routine. You will also schedule follow-up appointments to check on progress, manage any post-surgical complications that may arise, and take more photographs for comparison.
Though it might be a while before you see the amazing results of your facelift, like the great majority of patients, you will enjoy your more youthful face and smile when people assume you’re your daughter’s older sister.
