The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Curious about a facelift? Know what to expect.
If you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s, you may have noticed that your cheeks or chin are starting to droop, or that you have distinct laugh lines. Why? As we age, the skin and soft tissues of our face begin to lose elasticity and the effects of gravity begin to show.
If these changes have you considering a facelift, you should be aware of the many advances in facelift procedures that produce more natural looking results with minimal scarring and a shorter recovery.
“Many patients say they still feel young and healthy, but that’s not always what they see when they look in the mirror,” says J. Vicente Poblete, MD, a Cleveland Clinic plastic surgeon who treats patients at Cleveland Clinic Elyria Family Health Center and Richard E. Jacobs Health Center in Avon. “Most people considering a facelift don’t want to look like a different person, they just want to look like a younger, more rested version of themselves.”
It’s important to discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon to help determine what procedure is best for you. During a traditional facelift, your doctor will make an incision in front of and behind your ear. The skin and muscular layer under the skin are both tightened. Other procedures focus on specific areas, such as the neck, forehead, or cheek/jowl.
According to Dr. Poblete, most people will notice at least some change after surgery, but some can expect better results than others, including those with good bone structure – high cheekbones, a good jaw line, a strong chin. Those with a weak chin, a lot of sun damage, skin that has lost elasticity, or excess skin from weight loss may see less dramatic results.
Following surgery, pain medication will be prescribed, and you should feel better within a few days. Swelling and bruising can take up to two weeks to heal.
“Because of the time and emotion invested in having a facelift, be sure that you are doing it for yourself, not because of pressure from a spouse, friend, or anyone else,” says Dr. Poblete. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Poblete, please call 440.695.4000. For more information on cosmetic procedures of the face, download a free treatment guide at clevelandclinic.org/ cosmetic facial.