A facelift can be life changing. It is a major life decision and once the decision is made to have one, all possible precautions and preparations should be made. When patients ask what will be expected to get the best results a facelift, there are many answers to this question.
When the average person thinks of a facelift candidate, the image of someone is their late 50’s or 60’s usually comes to mind. Patients are often surprised to learn that the best results from a facelift can be achieved in patients who undergo surgery when the early signs of aging first start to appear. Studies have shown that when facelift surgery is performed on patients with minimal aging, they are much more satisfied ten years later than those who waited.
The Under 50 Facelift Patient
Younger patients who undergo facelifts as part of a facial rejuvenation and maintenance plan tend to experience more long term satisfaction than those who wait until they are in their mid-50’s or later. By then dramatic changes under the skin are deep underway. The post-op change in younger patients is usually less detectable and more much subtle. The changes under the skin are much less dramatic between 40 and 50 than they are between 50 and 60. This is what makes the 40’s a prime facelift age.
Nowadays patients in their 40’s may be putting off facelift surgery in part because of the advances in non-surgical, anti-aging injectable fillers and freezers. The thinking here is to postpone surgery for as long as possible and maintain a youthful appearance with injectibiles and lasers. However this is the prime age to achieve excellent surgical face-lift results.
Of course the most crucial factor to consider when wanting the best possible result from a facelift is choosing the right board certified facial plastic surgeon. It will be their skill and expertise that will mostly guarantee the results you want. You also need to consider the procedure itself. This means the techniques used and the overall design of it. You need to be right there with your doctor in your action plan. No question is too “dumb” and expectation management is vital to understanding your journey. To ensure total understanding and manage one’s own expectations it is vital to know every detail of your surgical journey. Once the decision has been made take all steps necessary to thoroughly prepare for your post-op care and recovery.
When undergoing a facelift, nothing will make up for doing the research, finding the best facial plastic surgeon for the job and never choosing a doctor for a “good deal on cost” or for some technique that sounds too good to be true. There are no short cuts. Meet with several doctors, ask every question you can, look at case studies and go over Before and After photos with your doctor. Inquire about risks and be prepared for the doctor to set limitations. To note, the best results from a facelift often come when the whole face is taken into consideration. The face ages as a whole and should be considered as a whole when rejuvenating it. It’s best to create a facelift treatment plan that considers all areas of the face at once so it can remain natural and balanced. In fact, the more the face is treated as one complete canvas and not sectioned into lower, middle or upper, the less noticeable the surgical changes are. The goal is not to perfect or change your face but to enhance, refresh and rejuvenate the beauty that already exists.
Do you want to know more about facelift surgery? Call our office today and set up a consultation with Dr. Honrado. 310.286.0043