facelift tips

No one walks in for their facelift and says, “I just want my results to look mediocre.” Every patient has a picture in their mind of precisely how they want to look, and the entire reason they’ve chosen plastic surgery is to look their best. We’ve discussed quite a bit about helping your recovery process go smoothly, but there’s also plenty you can do before surgery to get the best possible results.

Choose the right surgeon.

It may seem obvious that the surgeon you choose will have a powerful bearing on the quality of your results (and your safety, for that matter), but it’s so crucial that it is worth a reminder. Look for the words “board-certified plastic surgeon,” and pay close attention to whether the surgeon you’re considering is a part of professional organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of both of these organizations myself, I can attest to the strict requirements they uphold for each surgeon’s knowledge, training, and experience.

Communicate your desired results clearly and from the beginning.

The phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is certainly true, and after more than twenty years in cosmetic surgery specializing in facial procedures, I’ve seen firsthand that each patient has their own idea of how they want to look. Pictures can even be helpful—for instance, a face lift or Band Aid Mini Facelift patient may bring in a picture of themselves from ten years earlier and say, “my goal is to look the way I did in this picture.” Just keep in mind that surgery does have limitations, so in your pre-surgical consultation, I’ll be able to explain what you can realistically expect.

Look through before and after pictures.

While plastic surgeons may have fewer pictures of the results they’ve achieved with a facelift than with, for instance, a tummy tuck (simply because fewer patients are willing to consent to their pictures being used if it’s their face that must be shown, rather than a more “anonymous” area like the abdomen), they should still have some for you to review. Plastic surgery before and after photos are a great way to determine whether you and the surgeon have the same aesthetic vision, and you can also point out to him which results more resemble the way you want to look. While I have several pictures on my website, during your consultation you’ll also have the opportunity to see photos from many more patients who prefer that their pictures are shown in-office only.

Don’t assume, “after this surgery, I won’t have to worry about aging again.”

Face lifts aren’t a cure-all or a “permanent fix.” For most patients, the best way to get natural-looking results is not to try to remove every fine line and wrinkle in surgery, but to address these remaining concerns with injections like Botox® or facial fillers later as aging continues. The alternative of being overly aggressive in surgery can result in the “windblown” look. It’s also important to recognize that plastic surgery cannot stop the aging process (nor can anything in medical science, for that matter), so new wrinkles and skin laxity will appear as you age in the future. Many patients eventually address these concerns with a follow-up surgery or with non-surgical procedures like my Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing and Band Aid Skin Tightening.

Make sure your decision is logical, not emotional.

Some people who become depressed believe that plastic surgery will give them the emotional pick-me-up they need. While looking your best can undoubtedly make you feel more positive, optimistic, and confident, keep in mind that a facelift (or any other cosmetic surgery) has a healing period, and some patients get “the blues” during this time due to simply having less energy, being primarily confined to their home for a few days, and not yet being able to see their results immediately. If you’re already depressed going into surgery, this can put a damper on your healing ability. Don’t enter into plastic surgery assuming it will fix all your problems and “make you happy again.” Instead, look at it as a way to address this one specific concern you have: self-consciousness. For many patients, lifting this self-consciousness can give them a more positive outlook on life, but this should be seen as an added perk, rather than your reason for pursuing surgery in the first place.

Achieving optimal results from a facelift or a Band Aid Mini Face Lift is a team effort, requiring you as the patient and me as the board-certified plastic surgeon to develop a shared vision and communicate openly to make this vision a reality. If you’re ready to start discussing your options, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips, helpful information, and the latest news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.