Are you board certified?
Your plastic surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. What this means is that he or she has had special training and has exceptional expertise in the specialty of plastic surgery. Your surgeon might also have other board certifications in specialties such as Head and Neck Surgery or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Am I a good candidate for a facelift procedure?
Good candidates for a facelift procedure are typically over 40 years old, although there is no age limit for facelift surgery. To qualify for surgery, you must be in good general health and not smoke (or quit prior to surgery). Depending on the patient, facelift may be performed on its own or in conjunction with other procedures for the face and neck.
What results can be achieved with a facelift?
A facelift can give you a more youthful and refreshed look by making certain modifications to the skin, muscles, tissues and fat. Mention the specific areas that bother you when talking to your doctor, and go into your procedure with realistic expectations. You can look at pictures of previous facelift patients to get an idea of what you can expect.
Where will the facelift scars be located?
Incisions are made above and behind the ear and sometimes along the temples so that any scarring isn’t easily visible.
How is the facelift surgery performed?
After making the incisions, your surgeon will pull the loose skin tight and trim excess skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The connective tissue will be lifted and repositioned, and excess fat deposits along the jawline or chin removed. The neck skin, muscles and tissues are also modified as needed.
What are the risks and complications of having this procedure done?
Any medical procedure comes with a set of potential risks. It’s important that you are able to weigh these risks against the benefits that you are likely to experience to be sure that you are making an educated decision. Your surgeon will give you a list of possible complications that you might experience, along with explanations of how likely they are to occur and how they would be handled if they did occur.
What is the recovery period for a facelift?
There will be some bruising and swelling after your facelift. Most patients are able to return to work and most normal activities within two weeks. Exercise can typically be resumed a few weeks later. Your surgeon will carefully monitor your recovery during your post-operation visits to determine when you’ll be able to resume your normal lifestyle.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation
A personal consultation with a cosmetic surgeon is the best way to learn how a facelift can improve your appearance. At Atlanta Plastic and Reconstruction Specialists, our surgical team features specialists that have extensive experience performing facelift surgeries, and they can answer all of your questions about this procedure. Schedule your consultation by calling 404-255-2975 today.