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Everything You Need to Know About Your First Facelift Procedure

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A facelift could positively impact many different aspects of your life, and that operation continues to be one of the most effective ways to address cosmetic issues throughout the lower half of the face as well as the neck.

With a skilled surgical team by your side, you will be able to minimize or completely eradicate almost any age-related blemishes that you have been struggling with. If you have recently decided that you are ready to restore your youthful beauty, then you should spend a little bit of time learning more about what takes place during the facelift procedure and how that operation can help you achieve your cosmetic goals.

Dealing With Age-Related Blemishes

There are quite a few steps that you can take to preserve your beauty, but the signs of aging will most likely catch up with you at some point. Everything from weight fluctuations to harsh UV rays can impact your appearance, and practically everyone will have to deal with at least a few imperfections as they grow older.

Some of the most common blemishes that patients struggle with include sunken cheeks, deep folds around the nose, loose jowl tissue, and fine lines around the mouth. Patients who are interested in long-term solutions to those imperfections should consider seeking out a cosmetic doctor to explore their surgical options.

The Basics of a Facelift

A facelift is a highly personalized procedure that must be carried out by a skilled and experienced surgeon. During the operation, your doctor will make minor adjustments to all of the soft tissue throughout the lower half of the face and neck so that they can sculpt a natural and more youthful appearance.

In most cases, a facelift is going to require a general anesthetic or strong sedative, and that means you are going to be asleep throughout the entire operation. Once you are asleep, the surgical team can make one small incision near each of your ears.

After the incisions have been made, your surgeon is going to begin the process of adjusting all of the soft tissue around your cheeks, nose, mouth, and jawline. Their primary goal is to create a smooth and toned appearance by minimizing fine lines, wrinkles, and deep folds.

They are also going to manipulate some of the tissue around the jowls so that you no longer have to struggle with loose skin along the jawline.

Am I a Good Candidate?

The facelift procedure is safer and more effective than ever, and practically any healthy adult is going to be an excellent candidate. When you first meet with your surgeon, they are going to look over your medical history and carry out a general checkup to ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure.

Your surgeon will also give you more information on what the results are going to be like following your operation. As long as you have realistic expectations and are relatively healthy, you will most likely be a good candidate for this procedure. At the conclusion of your initial appointment, your surgeon will give you comprehensive pre-op and post-op instructions.

Getting Ready for Your Procedure

Prepping for this procedure is relatively simple, but there will be some important instructions that you must follow closely. As a general rule, patients should do everything in their power to remain as healthy as possible in the weeks leading up to any cosmetic operation.

That includes sticking to a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco products, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and exercising. By staying healthy, you are going to amplify the results of your procedure and minimize your downtime. The surgeon might also suggest that you make some changes to any medications that you are taking to reduce your risk of post-op complications.

The Day of Your Operation

This procedure typically takes two or three hours to complete, but some operations will last longer if extensive alterations must be made. You should plan on arriving at the surgical center slightly earlier so that you have plenty of time to fill out paperwork and get comfortable.

Just before the procedure, a team member will take you to a private room where they can get you ready for surgery. Just before the operation begins, the anesthetic or sedative will be administered so that you can relax and sleep throughout the surgery. The surgical team can then mark and sanitize the treatment site before making two small incisions.

Once the incisions have been made, your surgeon is going to adjust and sculpt all of the soft tissue throughout the lower half of the face and neck. In addition to moving the outer layers of tissue, they can also reinforce the underlying fat and muscles that support the skin.

When they are satisfied with the results, they are going to suture the incisions shut and place bandages over the treatment site. As long as there are no complications, you should be cleared to go home within a few hours of the procedure.

When Will I See Results?

Due to the complexity of this procedure, you should plan on resting in bed for at least a few days. During your initial recovery, a loved one must remain nearby so that they can help you with everyday tasks. After two or three days, the average patient can begin to move around on their own as long as they are very careful.

That initial recovery period is extremely important because all of your soft tissue is going to heal and settle. By the fifth or sixth week, most of the side effects should disappear, and that is when you are going to notice the full results of your facelift procedure.