When you’re planning to have a facelift surgery, timing your procedure well can make all the difference for a smooth recovery and results when you need them. Obviously, having a facelift involves more than scheduling the day of your surgery.
To be fully prepared, you should also account for the time it will take you to fully recover. By finding the right time, you’ll guarantee yourself enough rest and relaxation to get the results you want.
Reasons to Book a Facelift Surgery
Deciding when to plan your facelift surgery may depend on the reason for your surgery, especially if it’s related to a certain timeframe or date. Patients seek the facelift procedure for many different reasons, which isn’t surprising given the many benefits it offers.
Men and women of almost any adult age can achieve a more youthful appearance following a facelift surgery, a worthy investment of your time if you can get the timing right. It is frustrating for some patients to miss work or other activities, but you can design your surgery and recovery process to take place when it’s most convenient for you.
The facelift procedure provides tremendous results. Looking 10 years younger is common once you’ve completely healed. Reverse the drooping and sagging skin around your jaw and neck; eliminate fatty deposits along the jawline and chin; and recover the chiseled profile you once had, before the process of aging and the effects of gravity stole it from you.
Before you plan your surgery, be sure that you are in good overall health free of any ailments that might delay your healing process. If you live an active, healthy lifestyle, but are still frustrated by the way your face has changed with time, you could be a good candidate for facelift surgery.
Once you’ve determined that the surgery is a good fit for you, think about what motivates you to have your surgery at this point in your life. Is there a big event coming up, like a school reunion or a family wedding?
Do you want to look better to get ahead at work? Have you recently undergone a life-changing event, such as a divorce and want a fresh start? There are many reasons patients seek the facelift procedure, but deciding when and how you want to look your best can be the deciding factor in how you time your surgery and recovery.
What to Expect From Your Facelift
The facelift can provide some of the best anti-aging results out of today’s cosmetic surgical treatments. During the facelift procedure, well-hidden incisions are made on each side of the face, beginning at the temples and extending in front of and behind the ear, placed in the natural folds. Sometimes, they may continue in the hairline if needed.
Additional incisions may be made in other locations to access specific areas of the lower face that need more work. Once the incisions have been placed, the surgeon will tighten and reposition the facial muscles to improve the tone of the lower face, then re-drape and lay the skin flat, removing or redistributing any excess fat cells as needed. With the skin in its new, yet natural-looking, position, the excess skin is removed and the incisions are sutured closed.
In addition to your facelift surgery, it is possible to add on other anti-aging surgeries to enhance your results. You might consider adding volume to areas of the face with injectable fillers or transferring fat from other parts of the body. Other common procedures performed with a facelift include the brow lift, blepharoplasty, and facial implants, among others.
Planning Ahead for Your Complete Recovery
Following your surgery, you may have a drainage tube put in place to drain excess fluids for the first 48 hours of recovery. This will be removed within one or two days after surgery. Next, your sutures will come out somewhere between five and 10 days.
Your doctor will give you prescription medication to manage the discomfort, although this should be minimal. You may also experience some bruising as well as some swelling, which can be lessened by keeping your head elevated as directed. Following your surgeon’s instructions to the letter is essential for a smooth and speedy recovery.
Most facelift patients are able to return to work within 10 to 14 days following surgery, so plan accordingly for your leave or sick time from work. You should also allow yourself enough time to heal, plus a little extra, to ensure the swelling is gone, before you reveal the new you at any special events.
Book your facelift far enough in advance to give your face a chance to fully heal. You should also avoid strenuous or vigorous activities for a period of time, as directed by your doctor. Keep this in mind as well if you’re an athlete.
Be open and honest with your plastic surgeon about your personal motivations and goals for surgery. That way, he can customize the procedure and recovery program to work with your schedule. That’s the best way to ensure your facelift is timed perfectly.
Book Today to Plan a Facelift on Your Schedule
Get the facelift results that you really want by finding a credentialed facial plastic surgeon who will work with you to achieve them. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert Kessler, a board-certified general and plastic surgeon, and find out if you’re a good candidate.
Dr. Kessler completed his medical degree with honors from Tufts University in Boston. He also completed a distinguished General Surgical Residency with North Short/NYU in New York, prior to a Plastic Surgery residency with the US Air Force and the University of Texas.
Today, Dr. Kessler operates two practices in California, has worked as a surgical consultant and surgical assistant on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, and has lectured nationally and internationally on topics including facial rejuvenation, plastic surgery, and body contouring after substantial weight loss. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kessler, contact his office, located at 2121 E Pacific Coast Hwy #200, in Newport Beach, California by calling 949.644.6544.
