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Answers to Common Face lift Questions
Read more about face lift surgery at our Face lift overview page.
Face lift Surgery Questions
- Will it hurt?
- Who is a candidate for a face lift?
- What is a mini-lift?
- How long will the face lift last?
- What if I don't want my face to be pulled too tight or look like I'm in a wind tunnel?
Will it hurt?
Pain is minimal and relieved with oral medications for a day or two after the procedure. Bruising and swelling subsides in seven to 14 days.
Who is a candidate for a face lift?
If you have loose neck skin, a loss of jaw line contour, or droopy cheeks, a face lift may be indicated for you.
Most of the men and women who are candidates for a face lift are between the ages of forty-five and seventy. Of course there are exceptions and more consideration is given to the patients' actual appearance that their chronological age.
Some people today choose to have a face lift at a relatively young age as a form of preventive maintenance. Having the operation prior to pronounced signs of aging translates to more subtle results but allows one to maintain a youthful appearance with "tuck-up" procedures of the years.
Patients with less pronounced signs of aging are often candidates for a mini-lift.
All face lift patients must be in good health, physically and emotionally.
What is a mini-lift?
Individual surgeons may use the term mini-lift for different procedures, however in general, the term describes a procedure less invasive than a full face lift. The incision is shorter, and less tissue is manipulated. This translates in to shorter recovery time for the patient. The mini-lift procedure is indicated for patients with only early signs of sagging skin and is used as a form of preventive maintenance.
How long will the face lift last?
The improvement lasts between seven and ten years. It does not prevent ongoing aging, but the person who has a face lift never looks as old as he or she would have if he or she had not had the operation. If the sagging appears again, an individual may have a tuck-up procedure, which can provide dramatic and long-lasting improvement.
What if I don't want my face to be pulled too tight or look like I'm in a wind tunnel?
As with all cosmetic procedures, there have been considerable advancements in technique and goals. The contemporary surgeon is careful to avoid a drawn-back, operated look. The skin is not pulled tightly; instead it is repositioned so it does not hang off the face. Although the effects of the surgery are often dramatic, the goal is to achieve an elegant and natural appearance, helping patients look their best, not different.
