Are You Ready For A Facelift?

The aging process is something that few of us treasure. Wrinkles, sagging skin, and aching joints all serve to remind us that we aren’t as young as we once were.

Time does tell

Perhaps the most obvious way to assess someone’s age is by beholding their face. If you look in the mirror each day and stress over increasing wrinkles, sagging and sallow skin, and the presence of age spots, you are not alone. More than 15 million cosmetic surgery procedures are performed in the United States each year, and we want to look good!

It’s understandable that you may have some apprehension at the thought of having a facelift; the purpose of this article is to help you determine if it is right for you at this time. Read on to see if you are ready for a facelift, as well as what you can expect as you prepare for a procedure.

Physical signs

A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that helps to correct sagging tissues around the eyes, nose, jaw, and neck. If you see jowls, significant wrinkling across the face, and poor jawline definition, it could be time for a touch-up. Try setting your hands along the sides of your jaw, pulling gently toward your ears. If what you see is desirable, you might be considered a good candidate for surgery. With any surgery, it is necessary to evaluate your current physical and mental health. A facelift, while minimally invasive, is still major surgery. Get your doctor’s approval before putting yourself in the lineup.

Emotional readiness

Certain emotional indicators point to the need for a facelift as well. If you are bothered by your wrinkles and sagging skin, feeling discouraged every time you look in the mirror, it may be time to consider a procedure. If your dissatisfaction at looking tired and sad supersedes any other emotion when contemplating your reflection, a facelift may be just what the doctor prescribes to help you regain your confidence and feel happier about life in general. Do not succumb to outside pressure when planning a procedure like a facelift; you alone should be motivated to make these changes as you seek to improve your own life.

Is it the right time?

Right timing is one of the most essential aspects of preparing for your facelift. The majority of facelift patients fall between the ages of 40 and 60. Those who get facelifts before age 50 may see the best results due to their skin elasticity. Consider the season in which you choose to schedule surgery, as the sun can dry out and irritate skin, making healing time longer and more painful. Fall and winter are good seasons to schedule, as you can rest and recover without the opportunity for overexposure. Taking these factors into consideration will help you to protect your skin and reduce overall scarring and discoloration.

Do I have enough time to recover?

A busy mom with three kids and a full work schedule would not be an ideal candidate for a facelift. You must be prepared and have support resources to be able to take 10 to 14 days of recovery time. If you have an important event coming up, such as a family wedding or social event, it would be a good idea to schedule your procedure at least two to three months in advance to allow sufficient time for healing and recovery. Plan and prepare for this time, as it is the most critical aspect of the facelift process.

Preparing for surgery

So you’ve decided to get a facelift—congratulations! Now it will be necessary to plan and prepare for your procedure to ensure the best possible outcome. Choose a qualified facial plastic surgeon, then take these steps to ensure that everything goes as planned:

1. Get a thorough physical and mental evaluation from your doctor. You must have a physical exam performed by your primary doctor stating that you are healthy enough to be cleared for surgery. He/she will fill out a formal assessment about a month in advance. Without this clearance, you will not be allowed to schedule a procedure, so following up and completing this step is vital to your process.
2. Abstain from certain things prior to surgery. Stop smoking at least 2 weeks prior to your surgery to prevent respiratory issues and infections. Smoking also decreases blood flow, which leads to heart attack and stroke. You should also abstain from drinking any type of alcohol at least 72 hours before surgery, as it can affect your blood density and your immune system.

Other medications like blood thinners, aspirin, and ibuprofen should be avoided for 2 weeks prior to surgery, as they interfere with your blood’s ability to naturally clot.

3. Ask for support from family and friends. You know you’ll have some downtime heading into and after surgery. Plan what you can ahead of time to reduce stress during recovery. Make and freeze meals, arrange rides to and from school, get appropriate paperwork filled out for time off from work, and check with your insurance to see what financial responsibility you’ll have as you complete your surgery. Pack your bags for the hospital, and let friends and family know that it will be a bit quieter at your house in the weeks after surgery. The more you arrange ahead of time, the more you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your recovery process.
4. Eat well. Boosting your protein and fiber intake will help to build up the immune system and promote your body’s own natural healing properties. Avoid sugary or over-processed foods, and drink plenty of water in the days to come. A body that is well maintained will be far more likely to recover efficiently.
5. Don’t stress! Many have gone before you, many have told success tales of happiness and self-confidence that should inspire you and make you hope for a similar outcome. Stress has a negative impact on the body and brain as well, so doing what you can to minimize this going into your procedure will allow your body’s innate wisdom to take over and help facilitate the healing process.

You deserve to look and feel great.

From facial rejuvenation to facelifts and beyond, our goals are customer satisfaction, self-confidence, and success. Decades of service and a commitment to integrity when caring for each patient are identifying features of a premier provider. Audiologists, facial plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, and a number of other medical professionals can attend to complex patient needs all in one location.