Eventually, we all have that moment where we look in the mirror and suddenly see someone much older staring back at us. It could be more lines than you recall being there the day before, or sagging in your cheeks that doesn’t align with the image of yourself in your head. Whatever the signs of aging you notice, it propels you towards a specific question:
Is it time to get a facelift?
Facelifts Aren’t for Everyone
Not every sign of aging is best remedied with a facelift. While mini facelifts are making it easier to address early signs, such as fine lines, without relying on invasive and drastic methods, for many, nonsurgical options will be the first course of action.
If this is your first time considering a facelift, talk to your plastic surgeon about your full range of options when you go in for your consultation. While a facelift is often worth it, it is essential that you know what the alternatives are and their pros and cons.
Being an informed patient is the first step in ensuring you won’t regret getting a facelift. However, it isn’t the only one. Once you decide on getting a facelift, keep the following tips in mind to ensure you have the best experience possible.
1. Know the Different Types of Facelifts
You don’t just need to know about nonsurgical alternatives; you also need to understand the different types of facelifts available to you. From micro lifts to brow lifts, and even tightening the skin on your neck, there are many ways to get a facelift. You want to be certain you and your surgeon are planning the right approach for your goals.
2. Address Your Expectations
Patients who regret their facelifts typically do so not because the surgery was bad, but because they set unrealistic expectations. A facelift will make you look younger, but that doesn’t mean you will look exactly like you did in your senior photo. Instead of focusing on the past or looking a specific age, think about looking refreshed.
3. Prepare for Recovery
Even if you get a mini facelift, there will be a recovery period. During this time, you’ll need some help from others, a good spot to rest and pillows to keep you at an incline and on your back while sleeping. Do your research about recovery expectations for your specific type of facelift and take care to plan for everything you are likely to encounter.
4. Vet Your Surgeon
Ultimately, the biggest factor in your satisfaction with your facelift, aside from your own mental state, is the surgeon you choose. For the best results, you want to work with someone that specializes in facial plastic surgery and performs facelifts on a weekly basis. Look at the training and reviews for the surgeons you consider and talk to them about how often they perform facial procedures vs. body procedures.
By approaching your surgery correctly, you minimize the chances of regretting your facelift and increase the likelihood of loving your results.
Reo Pugao, M.D., D.D.S., FACS is a facial cosmetic surgeon who focuses on facial aesthetic procedures such as facelifts and brow lifts, as well as nonsurgical treatments like BOTOX® and fillers. Dr. Pugao joined Martin Plastic Surgery in 2019, helping men and women in Las Cruces, New Mexico and beyond look and feel like the best possible version of themselves through his perfected blend of highly-skilled technique and an artistic eye.
