5 Questions to Ask Your Facelift Surgeon

Facelift surgery at our Atlanta practice can take years off your appearance. Before you undergo surgery and can enjoy your results, you must schedule a consultation. This may seem daunting at first, but meeting with your doctor will give you peace of mind. Consultation is the time to discuss your goals, ask questions, and express any concerns you have. Following are a few questions patients frequently ask during their preliminary appointment. You may want to discuss these questions with your surgeon as well.

Everyone is unique, and age isn’t as much as a factor as is your overall health. Also, depending on lifestyle and genetics, signs of aging become apparent at different times for different people. Because of these factors, our facelift patients typically rage from their 40s up to their early 70s. A patient who is in good health, has a positive outlook, and has realistic expectations for surgery can be a good fit for a facelift.

The facelift procedure addresses issues on the lower 2/3 of the face and neck. If you are concerned about any of the following, you might be a good candidate for a facelift:

• Lax facial skin
• Loss of muscle tone and facial volume
• Sagging along the jawline, causing jowls
• A tired facial appearance
• A lack of youthful chin and neck contours
• Wrinkles in the lower face
• Deep creases between the base of the nose and the corners of the mouth

Each patient’s experience is unique, however, it usually takes from 5 to 7 days for swelling to subside. I recommend that you keep your head elevated as much as possible during this recovery period.
Most of our patients feel comfortable being out in public about 2 weeks after their procedure. Patients who have long hair can cover their incisions around the ears, so they may be ready to go out after just 10 days. Many patients also use makeup to cover up any bruising.
You should avoid any strenuous activities for the first 3 weeks. It’s important to listen to your body and slowly ease back into your normal exercise routine.
The most important thing to note is to always follow your post-op instructions. Listening to your surgeon will streamline your recovery and help you reach your desired results.

Here at the Plastic Surgery Center of the South, our team of board-certified plastic surgeons uses the most advanced techniques to help you achieve beautiful and natural-looking results. Often people are worried that their face will appear “windblown” after surgery. It is true that some surgeons rely mainly on tightening the skin without correcting the underlying muscles and tissues. At our practice, we avoid this pulled-back look by customizing each procedure to fit the patient’s specific facial structure, with the result that you look more rested and youthful rather than like a whole new person.

Preparing for your procedure is an essential step in your journey to facial rejuvenation. To begin, it’s very important to come to the surgery with healthy skin, which you can achieve by using medical grade skin care products. Our staff helps patients select products to achieve their best skin prior to their procedure. It’s also important to adjust your medication according to your doctor’s recommendation, avoid nicotine products, and arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery. This individual must also stay with you the first night following your surgery to help you around the house.
If you are interested in exploring potential facial rejuvenation results, visit our before-and-after photo gallery. To find out more, request a consultation online or call our office at (770) 421-1242.

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