Whether you’ve been trying non-surgical options or not, it’s natural consider taking a big step in rejuvenating your appearance at some point. Many people reach a point in their aging journey where they no longer feel like their face represents their youthful lifestyle and attitude towards life. If you’ve been considering your options, then it’s likely that you have some questions. Here are some answers to common ones we see from patients considering the best in facial rejuvenation procedures.
The facelift is a huge part of popular culture, and it’s likely that you’ve seen or heard about celebrities going under the knife (for better or worse). The reality is that many regular people pursue a facelift with great, natural-looking results. A facelift uses incisions to lift, tighten, and re-position the underlying tissues of the face to combat signs of aging like sagging and volume loss. Often, it’s combined with other facial surgery procedures like a neck lift or brow lift.
Believe it or not, facelifts were actually performed as far back as 1901, though they generally involved simply pulling and stretching the skin. Modern facelifts came about in the 1980s, and are continually evolving as plastic surgeons develop new and better techniques for a more smooth, youthful appearance. That being said, around 125,000 men and women each year undergo facelifts, and the facelift procedure is the sixth most common cosmetic surgery.
Typically, a facelift procedure takes a couple of hours by itself but can be longer if combined with a brow or neck lift. A facelift is often performed under general anesthesia, but can be performed under IV sedation and local anesthesia depending on the plastic surgeon.
Most of our Bellevue patients who opt for a facelift take 10 to 14 days off to recover while the swelling reduces gradually. After surgery, you can expect to take it easy and avoid heavy activity. You’ll be prescribed medications to manage pain and swelling for the first few days.
While friends and family may comment that you look 10 years younger, most plastic surgeons like to refer to their facelift procedure as a way to look “more refreshed.” The goal of any experienced facial cosmetic surgeon is to produce subtle, natural-looking results that don’t leave behind any signs of surgery. You’ll still look like yourself, but the best version of yourself.
Every surgery involves some risk, so it’s vitally important to choose your plastic surgeon wisely. Before performing a facelift on you, a competent plastic surgeon will take you through a private consultation to ascertain any health risks you might have that will prevent you from having a safe surgery. They’ll also explain the risks that come with your surgery so you can make an informed decision about whether the risks are worth it.
Dr. Ort is a board-certified plastic surgeon in the Seattle area with impeccable credentials and excellent, rejuvenating results. If you’re looking to discuss your options for a facelift procedure and explore the benefits with Dr. Ort, contact our office by calling or filling out our online form.
