Am I Ready for a Facelift

Aging is an inevitable part of life, but many people become dissatisfied with the way age affects their appearance. If your face is showing the signs of age and you wish to improve your appearance, a facelift could be the right option for you.

However, it is never a good idea to rush into a facelift or any sort of elective surgery without first considering if you are a good candidate. With that said, here are a few important factors to consider asking yourself to determine if you are ready for a facelift.

Physical signs

One of the clinical purposes of a facelift is to alleviate sagging tissue in the lower facial area and neck. Physical evidence that a facelift could be necessary includes having jowls, a significant number of wrinkles in the lower face, a poorly defined jaw, sagging neck tissue, and/or muscle banding on the neck.

In general, you should be in good physical health before undergoing any type of major surgery. Many pre-existing health issues can add complications to the procedure. As a result, it is common practice with many plastic surgeons to request a patient receive clearance from their general physician that they are healthy enough to have plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift.

Emotional signs

Certain emotional indicators also can be used to determine your candidacy for a facelift. When you look in the mirror, are you disheartened by the way you look? Are you upset with the way your appearance has changed due to the development of wrinkles and sagging skin? Are you dissatisfied because your appearance makes you look tired, angry, or sad even when you do not feel one of these ways? If you can answer yes to these questions, then now could be the time to undergo a facelift. 

If you desire a facelift, you should pursue those wishes by seeking a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeron. However, make sure this motivation is coming from within. We strongly advise against getting a facelift if you are receiving pressure from others to do so.

Timing

Many facelift patients undergo the procedure while they are between the ages of 40 and 60 years old. Typically, patients who get a facelift before they turn 50 see better results, because they tend to have more youthful skin elasticity. We also suggest having a facelift done in the fall or winter. This is because, following the procedure, your facial tissue will have a greater sensitivity to sunlight, and sun exposure decreases during the cold-weather seasons. These factors help protect your skin as it heals and minimizes the chance of scarring following the surgery.

Be sure to wait to schedule a facelift until you have arranged your routine and daily schedule accordingly. Healing time varies from patient to patient, but you can anticipate taking at least 10 to 14 days off work following a facelift to recover from the procedure. We also recommend scheduling a facelift at least two to three months before any important social functions, such as weddings.

A facelift can rejuvenate your appearance and leave you looking younger and feeling more confident about yourself. Preminger Plastic Surgery can help you feel young again. Let us help. Call the office of Preminger Plastic Surgery today at (212) 706-1900 to schedule your initial consultation.

Located on the upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, Preminger Plastic Surgery is proud to offer world-class services in plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery.