Facelifts - one of the top requested types of Cosmetic Surgery

Facelifts are one of the top requested types of cosmetic surgery. The goal of a facelift is to create a younger appearing face by reducing the sagging and appearance of wrinkles that come naturally with age. Once thought of as only for wealthy celebrities, facelifts are now widely performed procedures that are available to everyone.

Facelift surgery has advanced greatly over the last 20 years. The procedure is now much less invasive than ever before, with much faster recovery times. Many people think that the surgeon performs the facelift by simply pulling the skin tightly on the face. In reality, there is much more involved. The surgeon actually works with the underlying tissues in order to reposition them so that the face has a youthful, yet natural appearance.

What to expect with a facelift

A consultation is the first step. During the consultation the patient meets with the surgeon and his/her staff to discuss the procedure. The doctor reviews the medical history and discusses the reasons why a facelift is desired.

The doctor then discusses the details of the procedure with the patient. Throughout the process the patient is encouraged to address any concerns and to ask questions. The doctor reviews the case and makes recommendations based on the desires and expectations of the patient. The doctor may take pictures to prepare for the surgery.

A facelift is a procedure that is usually performed as outpatient surgery. The surgery is performed at the doctor's medical facility or in a hospital. The patient is given IV sedation for the surgery, which takes about three to four hours. It is necessary to be accompanied by another individual since the patient will be unable to drive home alone.

During surgery, the doctor will make small incisions around the outer areas of the face. These incisions will be made as close to the hairline as possible so they will be barely visible. Modern surgical procedures make it possible to use more limited incisions that heal quickly, with little visible scarring. Once the incisions are made, the surgeon gently works under the skin to pull facial and neck muscles back to their original positions. Additionally, excess fat accumulations may be removed. The skin is then pulled back on the face and reattached.

After facelift surgery, any dressings are removed within a day or two. Immediately following the procedure, the patient will likely feel some discomfort which can be alleviated with pain medication. After one week, the patient is usually released to return to work and to other light activities. Complete recovery will take approximately two to four weeks.

Misconceptions about facelifts

Many people mistakenly believe that a facelift can drastically change one's appearance to the extent that they will appear to look like someone else. A facelift by itself always helps to rejuvenate the look of the face and return the patient to a more youthful appearance. However, it is not intended to create a totally new face.

Some people feel that a facelift is only for women over a certain age. However, many men also elect to have surgery to improve their confidence level at home and in the workplace. Younger men and women may have heavy necks or facial fat deposits which are not age-related, but may be effectively treated with surgery.

About The Author This article is submitted by Wolf Krammel. Dr. Jeffrey Wisnicki, who has been in the practice of plastic surgery in South Florida since 1986, with his office located in the Wellington, Florida in the West Palm Beach area. Please visit http://drwisnicki.com/. Dr. Jeffrey Wisnicki sometimes performs blepharoplasty and browlift on his facelift patients, as well as using injection of fillers for an even more dramatic outcome.