For a patient to be truly happy with the results of their
facelift, they have to understand the process.
In cosmetic surgery, we do not do anything to stop aging. Instead, we remove many of the signs of aging that have already
occurred.
If one is a pessimist, they say that facelift lasts one
second! You are indeed getting older immediately after the procedure is
finished.
On the other hand, if you are an optimist, you point out the
fact that if your surgeon has removed two inches of skin, that the skin has been
removed forever and any additional hang that you develop over the next several
years, would have been there in addition to the two inches that was
removed! Therefore, you are two inches ahead forever.
The optimistic viewpoint is what really happens.
If your face is lifted to its more youthful contour and extra tissue has been
removed, this correction lasts forever. This does not mean that you will
remain tight forever. The aging process will continue, but if you have been
tightened two inches on each side, you are two inches ahead forever and will
always looking years younger than you would have without your facelift!
The average time in my experience before most patients think
about minor touchups after face-lifting is five to seven years. Remember
though, that we all have friends that are 50 but who look 70, and we all have
friends are 70 but look 50! Each person will age a different rate.
There are things we can do to make the results last
longer. Sun protection, Retin-A and Glycolic treatments done at home can
extend the life of your facelift tremendously.
