Considering a Facelift? Here’s What You Need to Know

You’re probably getting wiser and more sure of yourself as you get older. Perhaps, however, what you see in the mirror doesn’t reflect the improvements you feel on the inside. You may think a facelift can better balance how you feel and how you look.  

Dr. Michael Nichols and the team at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi want to help patients reach their aesthetic goals. Whether you want fewer wrinkles, a firmer jawline, or less loose skin, a facelift could be a solution — but you should know a few things before deciding. 

Not everyone is a candidate

Before we schedule your facelift procedure, you have at least one consultation to ensure you’re a suitable candidate. General requirements include: 

• You still have skin elasticity and good skin quality
• You’re in good overall physical health
• You’re in good mental health 
• You understand the procedure and have reasonable expectations

Ideally, you’ll be a nonsmoker and can take time off from work or other obligations to recover. 

Expect questions about your goals, medical history, any medications you take, and lifestyle and habits during the consultation. We also explain what you should expect before, during, and after your surgery. 

You may need multiple procedures

Few people get just a facelift, for several reasons. One is that a facelift only addresses issues with the bottom third of your face; if you want to correct undereye bags or sagging brows, for example, you need additional procedures. 

Most people have both a facelift and a neck lift. We can combine eyelid surgery, a brow lift, a fat transfer, and other procedures with a facelift to help you get the look you want. 

The best approach may be to combine a facelift with a routine that includes fillers or other injectable treatments over time. 

You can go home

A facelift is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. Your surgery may take a few hours, and you need to spend some time in our recovery room as the anesthesia wears off. You also should arrange for someone to drive you home. 

There will be bruising

In the days immediately after surgery, you’ll have some spectacular bruising and some swelling. The extent of the bruising often surprises patients. It doesn’t last long, though. 

You likely can begin wearing makeup after a week; most of the swelling should be gone by then. After three weeks, you shouldn’t look as if you had recent surgery. 

Full recovery takes longer

You can return to your routine within a couple of weeks, but it can take 3-4 months to see the full results of your facelift. For most people, those results are well worth the wait! Facelifts have high satisfaction rates, especially when the presurgical consultation is thorough. 

Are you ready? 

Want to learn more about how a facelift could transform your appearance? Call the Flowood, Mississippi, office of Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi today to schedule your appointment. Dr. Nichols and our team would welcome the opportunity to help you reach your goals.