In practice,
however, the myths that have been created about the facelift procedure simply
are not true. A facelift is a positive surgical experience that can restore a
patient’s youthful appearance and natural glow, changing his or her life for
the better. Let’s take these myths and bust them so would-be facelift patients
won’t miss the opportunity to improve their lives.
Facelift Myth #1 – Facelift Surgeons Just Pull the Skin Tighter
There was a time, about a century ago, that facelifts were
performed by pulling and tightening the skin only, then trimming away the
excess. Those surgeries had very short-term results, caused many complications
including nerve damage, and looked very unnatural, especially after multiple
tightenings.
Plastic surgeons took note of these shortcomings and worked to
develop a better approach. They noticed that adjusting the skin alone would not
achieve results; it was necessary to work with the underlying tissues and
muscles of the face.
Today’s facelift procedure concentrates on restoring the
youthfulness of the lower portion of the face. The facial muscles are tightened
and repositioned, then the skin, to create an overall younger look. In many
cases, excess fat deposits that have traveled to the jawline over time can be
removed to improve the angle and contour of this area. Many patients are
thrilled to discover they look and feel 10 years younger after a modern facelift procedure.
Facelift Myth #2 – Facelifts Always Look Unnatural
Given what you now know about the facelift procedure, this
myth may already sound wrong. To achieve the best facelift results, the
tightness and firmness is restored to the area, not imposed.
A plastic
surgeon’s chief priority is to turn back the clock for a patient, meaning
you’ll look a lot more like your old (well, young) self than someone new.
A
facelift procedure is only deemed successful if the results look natural, which
means no overly tight skin, no loose or lax muscles left behind, and no uneven
contours that look altered in any way. Real, natural results are the name of
the facelift game.
Facelift Myth #3 – Recovering from a Facelift Takes Months
All surgeries require recovery time, some more than others.
In the case of a facelift
procedure, recovery takes much shorter than you may think. After your
procedure, the major issue you need to contend with is swelling, so rest and
ice packs are all that should be on your reschedule. If you give this crucial
recovery time its due, the rest of the process should fly by.
You’ll likely
revisit your doctor for drainage tubes and stitches to be removed, and then you
can gradually begin to resume some lighter daily activities. Most patients are
able to resume work and nearly all daily activities within 10 to 14 days
following surgery. Some light swelling may persist for a few more weeks, but it
will not be very noticeable. Click here to view facelift before and after images.
Facelift Myth #4 – Only Women Get Facelifts
Traditionally speaking, facelift procedures were
predominantly sought by women, at least until a few years ago. There is nothing
about the surgery that makes it strictly feminine in nature, which more and
more men are beginning to realize. Facelifts can offer the same benefits to men
as they have been to women for decades.
Men can enjoy improved definition and
contour to their chin and jawline, restoration to a more youthful appearance,
and natural-looking results that can eliminate lines and wrinkles. In today’s
highly visual and competitive business world, many men and women alike seek
facelift surgeries to look younger and compete with their junior counterparts.
Facelift Myth #5 – Only Rich People Get Facelifts
Plastic surgeries can be expensive and are very rarely
covered by insurance, leaving you to pick up the tab. With that said, most
plastic surgeons only see rich and famous people in the tabloid magazines
sitting in the lobby; their actual patients are everyday people who want to
boost their self-confidence, improve their image, and regain some of that
youthful glow.
Everyone is on a tight budget these days, yet patients are
willing to make the investment to their physical well-being by visiting a
plastic surgeon for a facelift. If money is a source of concern for you, don’t
be afraid to bring it up during your facelift consultation. Many doctors will
offer schedule delays to allow you more time to gather funds, as well as
payment plans and other options. You can’t know for sure if a facelift is
affordable for you unless you ask.
Facelift Myth #6 – Only Mature People Get Facelifts
Many women and men in their 30s and 40s have begun to notice
the signs of aging all of their faces, yet won’t follow up with a plastic
surgeon because they don’t think they’re old enough. The truth is, there is no
magical age when a person gets a green light for a facial. If you have concerns
about aging on your face, you could be a facelift candidate.
When those
concerns get to the point that you can no longer ignore them and they are
interfering with your self-esteem, schedule a consultation to take about your
options. The only person who can really determine whether a facelift is right
for you is your
plastic surgeon, so give him the chance to evaluate your eligibility,
discuss you expectations, and examine your face and features.
Facelift Myth #7 – A Facelift Lasts Forever
Wouldn’t it be nice if a surgery could stop the aging
process and reverse time? Well, a facelift can help to make it look like you’ve
reversed time, but it won’t be able to stop anything. Time moves forward,
gravity takes hold, and eventually the same problems that plagued your face may
be plaguing it again. Of course, if you’ve had a facelift, you’re still going
to look ten years younger than you are, but you might start to feel like it’s
time to have more work done.
This is all a natural part of the process and,
unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done to stop it. A healthy diet,
regular exercise, and proper hydration can help to keep your insides well and
your outsides looking younger.
Take care of yourself to make those results
last. You might also want to seek touch-up treatments between facelift
surgeries, like dermal fillers or facial injections. Then, eventually, it will
be time for a second facelift. Many surgeons recommend facelifts to be
performed in 10-year intervals. Discuss your thoughts about the long-term care
for your facelift with your plastic surgeon.
Get More Information About Facelifts
If you still have concerns that are keeping you from
scheduling a facelift, why not get the answers that could set your mind at
ease? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert
Kessler, a board certified general and plastic surgeon.
He completed his
medical degree with Honors from Tufts University in Boston and completed a
distinguished General Surgical Residency with North Short/NYU in New York,
before 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 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 200, in Newport Beach, California by
calling (949) 644-6544.
