A facelift is a time-tested plastic surgery procedure to mitigate signs of facial aging and provide a natural looking lift to drooping skin.
Ideal facelift candidates will dedicatedly follow the surgeon’s guidelines for the pre and post-surgical periods and have realistic expectations from the surgical outcomes. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will assess the patient as a candidate for facelift surgery.
At the time of the consultation, the surgeon will also understand whether the patient requires additional procedures such as an upper face procedure or neck lift in combination with a facelift. Judicious board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom provides facelift to patients in Chicago, IL, and surrounding locations across the landscape.
Strong Candidates
The surgeon will assess the following in a patient to evaluate them as a candidate for facelift surgery:
Skin Laxity
Ideal candidates for facelift surgery will have a fair degree of elasticity in their facial skin along with sagging skin. The surgery will eliminate excess skin and tighten loose facial muscles. Skin with a reasonable amount of elasticity appears smoother and more natural when pulled taut.
Underlying Bone Structure
Ideal facelift candidates should have a strong underlying facial bone structure. This will offer support for a deeper facelift and create more contoured results. In case the bone structure is not as robust, the surgeon may recommend synthetic facial implants along with facelift cosmetic surgery.
Realistic Expectations
An ideal candidate will clearly understand the advantages and limitations of facelift surgery. Reviewing facelift before and after pictures enables patients to develop reasonable expectations from the procedure. A candidate with reasonable expectations will usually be more satisfied and happy with the outcomes of the facelift.
Overall Health Condition
Being in good health is a prerequisite for facelift surgery. In case the patient has specific medical issues, they should discuss these with the surgeon in advance to enable them to take precautions and individualize the procedure accordingly.
Excess Skin in the Neck or Face
The primary objective of facelift surgery is to eliminate excess facial skin and provide a subtle lift to sagging tissue. But the surgeon may also recommend facial liposuction along with facelift surgery in case excess fat tissue pockets are present.
Facelift for Men
Facelift surgery is not restricted only to women. Men can also consider this procedure to mitigate aging signs and attain a more youthful, reinvigorated facial appearance.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), over a five year period starting in 2010, facelifts in males have risen by nearly 44 percent. The procedural steps are the same for both genders, and either sex can enjoy excellent outcomes from this surgery.
Age Limit
There is no particular upper age limit to receive facelift surgery. The patient’s overall health and level of skin laxity are vital factors in determining their candidacy for a facelift. A majority of facelift candidates are in the age group of 40 to 70 years.
Recent ASPS data indicates that more individuals over 50 years of age are now seeking facelift surgery. Accomplished cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom receives patients from Chicago, IL, and other towns and suburbs in this region of the Midwest for facelift.