Face Lift Tips

For the Best Results

• Beware the "mini" facelift. Although they do offer improvement for those with nominally loose skin, they offer nothing to most people. Mini facelifts involve removing a minimal amount of excess skin near the ear, but have no effect on the skin near the cheeks, jowls, or neck. Be suspicious when viewing "impressive" results of a mini facelift on the web, as the photos may be doctored.
• Beware of plastic surgeons whose facelifts cause their patients to look like someone else. You want to look like a younger version of yourself, not like a different person.
• Because a facelift will only rejuvenate the lower two-thirds of your face, consider eyelid surgery and forehead lift at the same time to restore youth and maintain harmony.
• Quit smoking two weeks to two months prior to surgery (the longer the better!).
• Quit taking aspirin and products that contain aspirin at least two weeks before surgery.
• Wait two to three months after a chemical peel or laser resurfacing of your cheeks before you have a facelift (unless it is a micro peel).
• Frequent application of ice is important to help reduce swelling.
• Sleep in a recliner or with your head elevated on pillows for the first several days to minimize swelling. Frequent application of ice is also important.
• Expect your facelift to turn back the clock by an average of seven to ten years. You will continue to age on your new face, and you may be ready for another lift within a decade.