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What type of physician do I see about my cosmetic surgery needs?
What will I achieve with this surgery? Will it get rid of all my wrinkles?
How long does it take to recover?
What can I expect after surgery?
How long will my surgery results last?
What are the risks involved?
What kind of anesthesia is used? Is it local or do you need to be put to sleep? Do surgeons use IV medications versus inhalation gas?
Will I look stretched?
What does the procedure cost?
Questions and answers which address your concerns about facelifts
What type of physician do I see about my cosmetic surgery needs?
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A: Ask friends, family and other doctors for referrals, then ask the cosmetic surgeon about surgical experience. For example, how often and for how long has the surgeon performed facelifts? Dr. Moy is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Society of Laser Surgery Medicine. Make a list of all your questions and ask them during your initial consultation.
What will I achieve with this surgery? Will it get rid of all my wrinkles?
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A: Many surgeons do not consider a facelift a wrinkle operation. A facelift is generally considered surgery to improve the appearance of neck skin, jowl, jaw-line, chin and neck angle and a possible deeper planning for a mid facelift. You will not get rid of all the wrinkles with only a facelift, though there may be slight improvement from the surgery. For example, laser treatment for skin resurfacing may be more appropriate for getting rid of wrinkles around the eyes rather than undergoing a full facelift.
Photos show: face lift and laser re-surfacing
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Before Treatment
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AfterTreatment
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Before Treatment
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AfterTreatment
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You may want to remove the deep grooves that go from the nose out to the side of the lips. Most facelifts will not improve that. This improvement may require another approach, such as a deep-planed facelift. Another treatment is to put a little fat or other material into the groove and undergo minimal liposuction (removal of fat via suction) in the cheek area.
If you have had a facelift before and all you need is a tuck, the surgery will not be as extensive. It is fine-tuning as opposed to a more involved procedure. There are numerous alternatives. Ask what choices are available. If he or she doesn't present more than one way to get what you want, then pack your bags and leave.
How long does it take to recover? (back to top)
A: The surgery being done will impact the answer. In general with a facelift, it will take approximately 14 days. You can then wear makeup to camouflage any unhealed areas.
What can I expect after surgery? (back to top)
A: Bandages will be on for 2 or 3 days. There is some pain for a couple of hours after surgery, and rarely lasts beyond the first 12 hours postoperatively. There may be some black and blue discolorations lasting about 10 days. You will have swelling initially and the definition in terms of your jaw line and facial structures etc., will take a couple of weeks to return.
How long will my surgery results last? (back to top)
The more extensive facelift can lasts seven to ten years depending on your age.
What are the risks involved? (back to top)
A: In terms of risk, that question should be addressed by the surgeon. Potential risks will vary depending upon the type of facelift done. If you are doing a more extensive facelift, there are incidences of facial weakness. We have never had any patient who has any permanent paralysis.
Other complications include but are not limited to: Hematoma: (a blood mass) and infection. There are few incidences of hematoma and infection is almost unheard of today. Skin loss around the ears where the incision is typically made, and possible numbness of the earlobe. This is uncommon and we have never had a sing problem with this complication. Excessive swelling might last longer in some cases, but this too is uncommon.
When discussing your particular surgery with your physician, ask what he or she recommends meeting your goals, what are the possible alternatives available and what are the potential complications. Ask the surgeon if this information can be written out so that you can study it at your leisure.
What kind of anesthesia is used? Is it local or do you need to be put to sleep? Do surgeons use IV medications versus inhalation gas? (back to top)
A: All of these can be used. The choice is up to you and your surgeon. However, a full facelift is usually not done entirely under local anesthesia, but in combination with one of the other methods. If you choose intravenous medication, it can be administered at a specific level so that you would have no concept of what's going on. This is called monitored anesthesia care (MAC).
Will I look stretched? (back to top)
A: In years past, looking stretched was more common than it is today. We have not had any patient complain of the stretched look or the “wind tunnel” appearance because we aim for a natural result.
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Before Treatment
Actual Patient |
AfterTreatment
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What does the procedure cost? (back to top)
A: Cost depends on what you are having done. A procedure can cost anywhere from $2,000 - $10,000. Again a facelift may include other procedures including neck liposuction, a brow lift, blepharoplasty (eye surgery) and segmented laser resurfacing but they are all different procedures. You might opt to have procedures as the need arises. For example some people may have eyes done in their 30's and hold off a full facelift until later. Again you have other choices. These should be outlined by your one of us.
Disclaimer: This site contains information for general purposes only. Moy Dermatology offices can answer only very general questions over the phone or via email. We cannot offer any medical advice or any type of medical evaluation via email or by phone. Please call or email to schedule a professional consultation at one of our offices. Thank you.
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