Facelift FAQs (Part 2)
Facelift Frequently Asked Questions (Part 2)
The expert team at AMAE Plastic Surgery understands that the decision to undergo facelift surgery should not be taken lightly. It is our goal that patients walk away from their surgery thrilled with their results and love their younger, more beautiful face.
In this two-part article, renowned Troy, MI area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali answers some of the questions most frequently asked of him by his facelift patients.
CLICK HERE for Part 1 of Facelift FAQs
How much time off should I arrange for my facelift?
Facelift patients who work at a desk or other sedentary jobs generally only need to recover for about two weeks before being presentable to return to work.
For some facelift patients, some swelling and bruising may still be visible after two weeks have passed. Generally, this won’t be noticeable to others, but any facelift patients concerned about such side effects should be completely in the clear after just one additional week.
More healing time may be required of facelift patients who work in a more physically strenuous field. Consult with Dr. Ali about how much downtime he recommends based on your employment.
How long will it take to fully recover from a facelift?
The rate at which it takes to heal from a facelift will be different for every patient. For the most part, younger patients will heal faster from their facelift than patients who are more mature. Regardless of age, most patients can expect to be able to resume to work and other normal activities after 2 weeks.
The entire facelift healing process can be broken down into a series of stages:
The first stage of facelift recovery will last roughly 10 days. This stage will see swelling continue to increase until the fourth day or so, then will begin to subside.
Between the 10th and 14th day after a facelift, the decrease in swelling and bruising is typically sufficient for the patient to feel comfortable returning to work and engaging in social activities.
The next stage of facelift recovery process will see the healing process continue until achieving final results. While this stage can last between 3 weeks and 6 months, 90% can see final results after 3 months.
For at least 4-6 weeks after surgery, patients should avoid engaging in strenuous activity such as intense physical exercise. Additionally, for the first several months of recovery, facelift patients should significantly limit their exposure to the sun.
Will I need someone to take me home or take care of me after a facelift?
It is Dr. Ali’s recommendation that in addition to being driven home from their procedure by someone else, facelift patients should have a friend or family member stay with the patient for at least the first several days after facelift surgery.
Patients who visit the Troy, MI area’s AMAE Plastic Surgery from out of town, as well as patients who prefer to recover from their facelift in a more luxurious environment, Dr. Ali can recommend a surgical aftercare facility, such as Pearl Recovery Retreat, staffed by skilled nurses trained to provide the utmost in surgical recovery care.
What technique is used for a facelift?
While board-certified Troy, MI plastic surgeon customizes each facelift surgery he performs to the unique goals and skin condition of the patient, the following outlines the “basics” used in many of the facelifts performed at AMAE Plastic Surgery:
The “classic facelift” is performed to treat skin that is loose or has begun to sag on the lower third of the face and neck. During a traditional facelift, Dr. Ali will make an incision behind and slightly in front of the ears. Then, the skin of the face will be lifted from the muscle and underlying tissue of the face. The skin will then be tightened, with excess skin being removed before closing the incision. After applying a bandage to the face, the facelift surgery is complete.
During the consultation, Dr. Ali explains to each patient the different type of lifts available, and makes a recommendation on which facelift procedure will best meet their needs and goals.
A mid facelift, on the other hand, is performed to simply treat the cheek and temple area of the face’s middle third. Similar to a facelift, a neck lift is performed to treat sagging skin in the neck-jawline area, separate from the skin of the upper face.
Will I have scars after my Facelift?
Any type of surgery that involves incisions necessarily results in some scarring. However, a skilled and experienced board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali is a master at strategically placing incisions to conceal them.
People with longer hair can usually take advantage of it as a means of concealing their facelift surgery scars. Patients with shorter hair who wish to hide their scars may with to consider letting avoiding the salon or barber shop until they have healed completely.
How long will a Facelift last?
While age, gravity, and environmental factors will always continue to affect a person’s skin, a facelift is designed to last roughly ten years, putting the patient a decade behind the aging process.
Some patients do choose to undergo an additional facelift procedure once they start to see the results fade, but most patients feel that their initial procedure reversed the sands of time a satisfactory amount for one lifetime.
Facelift Surgery – Troy, MI
Troy, MI board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali aims for all of his patients feeling as comfortable and well-informed as possible going into their facelift surgery. For more information regarding facelift surgery, contact AMAE Plastic Surgery for a consultation today.
