The big 4-0 is looming large and already you can feel its effects on your not-so-pert body: Besides detecting a bigger swing in your ‘bye-bye’ arms and unsightly dimples seemingly spreading across the back of your thighs, the place you see it most — your face. Everything looks more droopy there, including the corners of your eyes, the lines from your nose to the edges of your mouth (and beyond), plus the skin around your jawline… Yes, it’s all going south from here on out, or so it seems.
If you aren’t just flirting with the idea but are serious about getting a facelift, here are the questions you should be asking before taking the plunge (or should we say, lift):
1. Why Do You Want It?
Before you actually go running through the door of every facelift surgeon’s office, you should really take the time to sit down and evaluate why you want to do this. Are you hoping that this procedure would completely turn your life and self-image around? If you are grieving over the death of a loved one, a divorce or the loss of a job, you should know that this would not be the be-all and end-all to ‘fix your problems’.
Perhaps you are working in sales and of the mindset that this procedure would give your professional life a bit of a boost, to match your youthful and driven spirit. Perhaps you are already most comfortable in your own skin and just want an improvement in how you look, as well as your self-esteem — this would be a good emotional place to start.
2. What Do You Expect from It?
If you think undergoing a facelift would make you Angelina Jolie’s doppelgänger, you and your lips would be sorely disappointed. You certainly do not want to look like your old self has completely vanished into thin air, nor end up looking completely ‘plastic’ and ‘fake’ after the procedure (that would be plastic surgery you want, not a facelift, in case you were confused).
You should have a clear idea of the results you are hoping to achieve with this decision. Do you want to see tighter, firmer skin around your jowls, jawline and under your chin? Keep in mind that your chosen surgeon would have to work with what you have already been blessed with: Your bone structure, skin and cartilage all play an important part in the end result you are going to get. Lastly, have realistic expectations of what might or might not be possible with a facelift. This is surgery, not magic — don’t walk into the operating room, expecting all your wrinkles to disappear when you walk out, for example.
3. What Will It Cost You?
‘Money, money, money, it’s a rich man’s world,’ Abba once sang. Facelift surgery can run into thousands of dollars, depending on the type you choose to go for. Ensure your finances are in order, and that you are not syphoning money meant for something really important towards your facelift.
When discussing options with your surgeon, do have a clear idea of what the expected costs are, so you do not get a bill shocker at the end of it. Also, you have to keep in mind that regardless of whether you get the results you want, you are going to be stuck with the bill, still (as well as the outcome or side effects of the procedure, pleasant or not).
4. What Are the Potential Risks You Face?
As with any surgical procedure, you need to be aware of the risk of complications associated with it, like infections, scarring, adverse reactions to anaesthesia, bleeding, plus other unexpected results, like lack of symmetry, long recovery time, raised scars, or just not looking the way you expected or wanted.
It is imperative that these are all duly discussed with your surgeon, so that whatever happens, both of you can work through it, to either take the time to heal or get the results you can accept.
5. Are You a Suitable Candidate?
Before you can actually undergo your chosen procedure, you need to be in reasonably good health, without suffering from medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or blood clotting problems. You should not have a history of fluctuating weight issues and you should definitely not be smoking, as smoking will slow down your healing from facelift surgery.
Be sure to declare your medical history honestly and completely to your surgeon. This would safeguard against any unwanted complications arising from the surgery and ensure that your surgeon would not be absolved of any responsibility, should anything go wrong (touch wood).
Opt for a Non-invasive Alternative: Facelift Treatment
We have only just scratched the surface with the first five questions. In our next article, we will continue to explore the next five questions you should think about when considering facelift surgery.
Today, there are many non-surgical options offered by aesthetic experts and clinics, utilising energy forms like radiofrequency or ultrasound to achieve the kind of skin tightening and wrinkle reduction that used to only be possible with facelift surgery. They work primarily on promoting the synthesis of collagen in your skin, so your skin looks firmer, with fewer creases.
With the option of not having to endure a long downtime after the procedure, plus avoiding possible complications and scarring from surgery, surely the patience in seeing results from collagen rebuilding is worth considering instead?