Your Guide to Getting a Facelift

In our current world, people want to maintain their youth, and look younger longer. Thus, the explosion of various non surgical treatments to restore youth. These include fillers, threading, as well as new technologies like energy based devices. Surgery – ie facelift — has always been the least popular option. But a new trend in facial rejuvenation is more people interested in a facelift. The taboo of seeking a facelift is no longer as prevalent. In addition, we’re seeing younger patients seeking a facelift. Patients in their 40’s and 50’s, an age group rarely seen in a facelift consult in past, are scheduling facelift consultations. If you’re frequently pulling on your jawline in front of a mirror, to look “snatch,” then you’re likely contemplating getting a facelift. But you may be unsure what you should be asking, or looking for, when you start your research. This blog will serve as your facelift research 101.

First, are you at an ideal age for a facelift? There is no right answer and no minimum age that qualifies for a facelift. Once you start seeing noticeable sagging of your facial tissue, then you may be a candidate. Assuming you are in good health, these aging signs may begin around 40’s, although I’ve seen rare patients present around their 30’s. Since genetics play a significant role in how you age, you can imagine aging presents across a spectrum of ages. Some unfortunately start to get bothered by aging in their 40’s, while others see changes around 60’s. In addition to the actual signs of aging, even more important obviously is how you react to it. Some people notice aging around 50’s but may not become bothered until their 60’s.

Once you decide you want to get a facelift, how do you find the right surgeon for you? The minimum requirement is seeing a board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon. A board certification means that surgeon should have the basic foundation for doing a facelift, as well as demonstrating ability to correctly identify a good candidate for surgery. But since your face is so integral to your identity, you really should look for a board certified surgeon who is experienced in doing a contemporary facelift, with a good history of performing many successful facelifts. At the consultation, it’s important the surgeon reviews his or her results with you. Pay attention to the aesthetic results of the surgeon and be sure they match your goals. Most people want a natural result, where people can’t tell you’ve had surgery but you look “great.” Or are you looking for a particular “fake” look that may be popular in a small subset of the population? I’ve heard some in Beverly Hills deliberately want a fake, fabricated result. Pay attention to the scars of the surgeon’s results. Are they easily visible?

What can you expect at your facelift consultation? First, despite the cosmetic changes you want as goal, the consultation is still a medical evaluation. Your surgeon should take a good history of your concerns. When did you get bothered by your aging? What other parts of your face bother you? What treatments have you tried? The surgeon also needs to get a thorough medical history from you, including medications, and smoking/drinking histories. Then the surgeon will examine you to determine what issues are contributing to your complaints. An important factor is your neck. Is there loose skin, is there excess volume under chin, are the submandibular glands big, etc? It’s also crucial photos are taken – either before you meet the surgeon, or by the surgeon during the visit. Afterwards, the surgeon will go over the options, with emphasis on the facelift since that is the reason you are there. The visit should be collaborative. Sometimes I hear patients tell me some surgeons will push for additional procedures to enhance their face. The older you are, it’s only expected you will have other aging signs and I can certainly understand why some surgeons may push for these procedures. The best outcome will be achieved from a global perspective, and will often benefit from multiple procedures such as laser resurfacing. However, my philosophy is to work with the patient’s concerns. I will point out other aging signs, but I won’t discuss them if the patient is not bothered. In my practice, a majority of facelift consult patients will have some upper face aging signs, but they specifically tell me they are not bothered. Once the surgeon has given his/her recommendations, then that is time for you to ask any questions you have about a facelift. Common questions I get are related to the recovery process, how the wound healing process is managed, etc. With the popularity of social media posts by plastic surgeons, many unfamiliar terms may be introduced into the public. These become “buzzwords” that may further complicate your understanding. These include words like deep plane, SMAS, pony tail lift, etc. Make sure your surgeon can clearly explain these terms and how they relate to the procedure he or she is recommending for you. Finally, it’s never a bad idea to see more than one surgeon to get multiple opinions. In my view, the most important factor determining who you choose will be if you trust that surgeon. Because most likely, the surgeons you see all will be board certified and experienced in facelift surgery.

The best way to determine if you are a candidate for a facelift is to see a board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon. An in office consultation allows the surgeon to carefully examine your face and neck and see whether you are a good candidate for surgery.

For more information about San Antonio male facelift surgery, please visit our interactive website at www.dryuplasticsurgery.com. Dr. Kenneth Yu Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a qualified team of experts serving the San Antonio, Texas area. To schedule a consultation, please contact our Concierge Patient Coordinator at (210) 876-6868 or info@dryuplasticsurgery.com.