Most people who decide to get the surgery done are between the age of 40 and 70 years old. Patients must be in good health and it is recommended that they do not smoke for a timeframe before and after surgery. Non-smokers are ideal. There are varying types of facelifts, some of which are designed to make a small difference; others are designed to create a large difference throughout the face. The basic idea is not to make a first look like a different person; rather it is designed to make a person look younger. The effect of large-scale facelifts can be dramatic.

In addition to the actual surgery, many people get other procedures done at the same time. Some of these procedures, such as laser resurfacing, are designed to improve the appearance of the skin. Others, such as eyelid lifts and neck lifts, are also designed to help reduce wrinkles and make a person look younger.

What to Expect With a Facelift

There are several things a person should expect when getting a face lift. It is a major surgery that will require recovery time and can be very painful and uncomfortable. When a patient goes to get the lift he or she will either receive local anesthetic and a sedative or general anesthetic. A patient will not be able to do much for a couple of days after the surgery so it is a good idea to have someone available to help.

After the surgery, full recovery can take months, although most people are able to return to work in 1 to 4 weeks. Most patients feel significantly better after a few days. Many doctors ask (and may even require) that the patient not smoke for a time period before and after the surgery. This is because smoking can actually impede the healing process to a frightening degree. Smoking can also cause excess scarring, which is very bad for recovery from a facelift surgery.

What are the Risks Involved with a Secondary Facelift Surgery?

Because the effect of the facelift conceived in five to 10 years, many individuals who have had the operation in the past are considering getting a secondary surgery. The risks involved with the secondary surgery are not significantly greater than those involved with the first.

There are however, differences between a first face lift and secondary face lift surgery. For example, a person who’s already had one cosmetic face lift may have thinner skin than a person who has not. This simply means that the plastic surgeon must take care.