What do you need to know about recovery from a facelift? If you are considering this plastic surgery procedure, there are things you should know to prepare for what is ahead. Technology advancements make it easy and safe for people to change their facial appearance to achieve favorable results. There are elements about the recovery process to review beforehand with your surgeon to thoroughly understand risk factors. You’ll also learn if the look you want to achieve is attainable and realistic to what the procedure can do for you. Here are six questions and answers to know about facelift recovery along with additional insight you may find useful.
- What can my skin expect after the surgery?
How your skin is affected by the procedure will vary depending on the type of process and expected results. Few expect a facelift to be a quick fix when getting the perfect look for their face, but in reality, the procedure may or may not be the solution to what is bothering them about their facial features. People choose to get a facelift to achieve a youthful look for facial features. Some feel it helps rejuvenate the skin while delivering an improved skin appearance. The procedure tightens loose skin removing visual elements such as wrinkles and sagging. It improves areas of the face including facial muscles, jawline, and under the chin.
- What should people know when deciding on a facelift?
Specialists performing the procedure will want to know what you want to achieve for your look. The elasticity of the skin is not changed but instead lifts facial areas. Skin spots and fine lines may still be noticeable. Gain a clear understanding of what a facelift will do to understand the results you can expect. Make sure the result what the doctor predicts for your situation is what you want. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the procedure, how it will affect parts of your skin, risk factors, or anything that comes to mind. You want to make an informed decision about a surgical procedure that will have lasting effects on your physical appearance.
- Do you have to be a certain age to qualify?
While you don’t have to be a certain age for a facelift, it depends on what you want to achieve when it comes to how you look. It is common for people in their forties and fifties to get the procedure done. In some cases, the health of the patient is more important than age. There is evidence suggesting getting a facelift at a younger age yields results that last longer. Remember, a facelift is recommended in situations when skin areas are a problem.
- Who is the typical person that gets a facelift?
Understanding potential facelift candidates include learning about the condition of their skin and the ability for it to produce favorable results after the procedure. Your skin will be assessed by the specialist to determine face laxity. It includes reviewing face, chin, and neck areas along with eyebrows, eyelids, jaw, and lines within the skin. Risks and complications are discussed in determining if a candidate is in good health to complete the procedure. Women commonly seek facelifts, but men also have the procedure performed.
- How many years younger will it make me look?
The results of a facelift vary from each person. The skin may have a pulled look for a couple of weeks after the procedure. Some swelling may be present after the process which is normal. The ears would experience little or no manipulation if the incision occurred around this area. You can assess pictures to help get an idea about the placement of your ears if that is a concern. There are photo comparisons available provided by plastic surgeon specialists that show dramatic before and after differences. Some people looked almost ten years younger after having the procedure. Such results are encouraging for anyone seeking the procedure, but note it may take additional time after the process to achieve the look you want based on recovery times.
- How long do the results last?
The answer varies from person to person. It depends on several factors including what parts of the face had the procedure done. On average it may last between seven to ten years, but a younger patient may see theirs last longer. Younger patients may consider getting other work done more so than older patients. The condition of the skin may give clues about how long the results will last. If the skin has high levels of sun damage, the length of the results may be limited. Skin types with lesser amounts of sun damage, produce more oil, and is thicker layer-wise, may encourage long-standing results. Patients may choose to have a redo of their procedure at their discretion.
Additional insight to know about facelift recovery
The process is completed quickly with recovery times as soon as a few days. Depending on the type of facelift you get your recovery time may vary. Patients may ask about what happens when incisions are made into the skin and where they are commonly made. The incision process is significant because surgeons work diligently to create them carefully so they can be discreet as much as possible after the procedure. Most scars are hard to notice after the skin heals. The outcome of the surgery not only depends on what you want, but what the surgeon envisions before, during, and after the procedure. On average, a year after surgery some patients experience skin loosening just a bit after experiencing skin tightness right after the surgery.
The recovery process for facelifts is essential to review with your plastic surgeon. There is a risk of hematoma after surgery that includes internal bleeding leading to swelling. You should contact your doctor if it occurs on either side of your face or neck. Another risk to be aware of is an infection which may include swelling, redness, and drainage where the incision occurred. Afterward when the skin heals many patients are pleased with their results.