Men and women whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still
has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined are
the best candidates for a facelift.
Most patients are in their forties
to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies
or eighties as well.
A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your
self-confidence in the process. But it can't give you a totally different
look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Think
carefully about your expectations before you decide to have surgery.
Any of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate
for a facelift:
• A deep line, or fold, running from the corner of your nose to the
corner of your mouth.
• Jowls, or loss of a well-defined jawline associated with youthfulness.
• Deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging of the
"highlight" areas of the cheekbones.
• Loose skin, wrinkles, vertical "cords" or excess fatty tissue
in the neck.
New Procedural Video
Click on the photo box below to view this informative, procedural presentation including an introduction, an overview with illustrations indicating incisions and how the procedure is performed, how best to prepare and what to to expect, and how to take care of yourself after the procedure.
Requires Adobe Flash Player to view. Download Flash here.
Most facelift incisions are placed within the hairline and within natural
contours in front of and behind the ear. Although there are many variations
to the facelift procedure, generally an incision is hidden in the natural
contour of your ear, then extends around the earlobe and back into the hairline.
Following surgery, incisions can be easily concealed by your hair or with
makeup. There may also be a small incision hidden underneath your chin.
Post-operative Procedures & Recovery
Any discomfort you may feel can be lessened with pain medication. Some
numbness of the skin is quite normal and will disappear in a few weeks or
months. You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking
it easy for the first week after surgery.
At first, your face may look and feel rather strange. Your features may
be distorted from the swelling, your facial movements may be slightly stiff,
and you'll probably be self-conscious about your scars. Some bruising
may persist for two or three weeks, but by the third week, you'll look and
feel much better. Most patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks
after surgery.
If you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent, the chances
are excellent that you'll be happy with your facelift. Although you’ll
have some scars, they're usually hidden by your hair or in the natural creases
of your face and ears. In any case, they'll fade with time and should
be scarcely visible.
Having a facelift doesn't stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with
time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times – perhaps
five or ten years down the line. Remember, the effects of even one facelift
are lasting; years later, you'll continue to look better than if you'd never
had a facelift at all.
Call our office today at (757) 497-5400 for more information or to schedule
your consultation with Dr. JoAnne Lopes.
Information provided by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
