It is important for patients looking for a facelift to understand both the facelift procedure as well the recovery process. Experienced cosmetic surgeons have been performing the facelift procedure on patients for decades. This procedure, which all but eliminates the signs of aging from a person’s face, requires the surgeon to remove excess skin as well as tighten the muscles in the face.
During your younger years, managing a career and raising a family probably left little time for you to worry about yourself or care for yourself. As you approach middle-age or even beyond, the nest is empty, and your career is well-established with thoughts of retirement not too far off. This is a mellow time of life— and it’s time to begin to focus on your needs and wants, a time in your life when you can start taking some time just for yourself. Many folks around the world use this time to contact a skilled cosmetic surgeon to look into the potential of renewing their self-confidence by having a board-certified facial plastic surgeon perform a traditional facelift.
The Basics of Traditional Facelifts
A traditional facelift is clearly one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed. A skillful cosmetic surgeon can perform the surgery easily, and recovery is usually fast and uneventful. A traditional facelift involves eliminating excess skin around your neck and jowls, as well as minimizing how wrinkles around your eyes and nose appear. A facelift by a professional cosmetic surgeon can eliminate a decade from your appearance. Although you will continue to age, another facelift won’t be necessary for 8 to 10 years.
Most patients having this procedure done are between 40 and 70 years old. They also have a strong facial bone structure that assists the cosmetic surgeon in outlining the surgery. Patients are also emotionally well-balanced, with realistic expectations of what facial plastic surgery can and can not do. They are always looking to have this procedure done because they want it. They understand that while their appearance will change, their fundamental personalities remain the same.
A professional cosmetic surgeon and their team have your health care at the center of everything they do. The traditional facelift done by a cosmetic surgeon begins with the patient being administered a local anesthetic. Their surgical team makes sure that patients are calm and relaxed at all times. An experienced cosmetic surgeon is the team leader, but all are driven to ensure you get the results you seek.
Understanding the Recovery Process
You can expect a 4 to 7 day recovery. After which, most patients can go back to work and participate in their daily activities. Sometimes patients are prescribed oral pain medication to deal with mild pain and discomfort issues. Following facial plastic surgery, cosmetic surgeons urge patients to curtail sun exposure as the newly stretched skin readily burns. He and his staff recommend that patients wear sunscreen at all times.
As with any surgical procedure, patients will need to spend several days resting and recovering after their operation. Therefore, it’s important that all patients know what to expect during the recovery process as it will help them deal with the physical and emotional impact of the operation.
Bruising and Swelling
Patients will find there is some bruising and swelling present on their face the first time they look in the mirror after their operation. However, the bruising and swelling will typically subside within 7-10 days, at which point the patient will be able to see the true results of the surgery.
Bandages
Bandages are placed around the patient’s head in order to put pressure on the face and maintain the results achieved in the operating room. Some patients are alarmed because the bandage feels a little tight, but it’s important that it has a snug fit. The bandage is not only preserving the results, but it is also reducing the impact of bruising and swelling on the face.
Keeping the Head Elevated
Patients should keep their heads elevated for several days after the operation. Showering and shampooing should be avoided until after the bandages are removed. Head elevation is a crucial part of the recovery process, and it’s important that patients understand that fact. Patients who choose not to keep their heads elevated will find that they have a more difficult time and a longer road to recovery.
Tightness
Tightness is a common side effect associated with this surgery, and patients should not be surprised if they experience some numbness immediately after the operation. Tightness is typically caused by the swelling that happens after the operation and may last for up to two months. Numbness is often a side effect of the surgical techniques and will improve within several months of the procedure.
Watch for Signs of Infection
All patients should know the signs of infection before they have their facelift procedure completed. If patients experience any infection symptoms, they should contact their surgeon immediately. Common signs of infection include a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, increased pain or warmth around the surgical site, increased redness on their face, and drainage near the incision site. Infection is a rare but relatively serious side effect that should be addressed quickly. Less than 1 percent of patients who undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure will suffer from an infection afterward.
Professional cosmetic surgeons prepare custom post-operative care instructions for every patient they work with. They feel this is an important step in order to ensure every patient has his or her individual needs met. To find out more information about the facelift procedure and to see if you are a good candidate, set up a free cosmetic consultation today.
Call a cosmetic surgeon and arrange for a no-obligation appointment for more information and a free consultation for a traditional plastic surgical facelift.