Planning for Facial Aesthetic Surgery. Q&A Part 1: The First Steps

When Should I Get a Facelift or Surgery?

It depends on each individual and their unique anatomy. We all age differently. A 30-year-old can have the same age-related changes that someone in their 40s or 50s has. In my experience, most patients can achieve maximal benefit with surgery in their late 40s through 50s. During this period, the quality of aging tissue supports results that will last longer.

What Can I Do Short of Surgery?

It starts with simple things that we often take for granted—good metabolic health, hydration, good sleep, and overall good health. The next simple intervention is good skin care: use of sunscreens, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and using quality products that support skin health. These interventions can be started anytime, but the earlier the better. In addition, office-based aesthetic treatments such as peels and laser treatments can help treat sun damage, even out pigmentation, and improve overall appearance.

What Else Can I Do?

Treatments with neurotoxins and fillers are effective in wrinkle management and adding lost volume to the face or changing facial volume to achieve a specific aesthetic look.

Ok. I’m Doing That Stuff, but I’m Starting to Jowl and My Neck is Getting a Bit Flabby. Now What?

Options like deep thread lifts, limited neck liposuction can address some early signs of facial aging that Neurotoxins and fillers cannot address. Laser treatments like CoolPeel are very effective in removing fine lines and improving skin quality.

What About RF or Other Devices?

Through my experience with various devices and numerous patients, my thoughts have changed about these “minimally invasive” devices. In general, I think they overpromise and underdeliver. While you can see some improvement in closely scrutinized photos, in many patients, the face-to-face results are less impressive. I’m not saying you can’t get a good result from these types of treatments, but the results do not last as long, and they cannot give surgical results.

So, What’s the First Step if I Want to Start on the Path of Facial Rejuvenation?

• Identify the specific areas that concern you the most. The more specific you are, the more a provider can personalize a plan.
• Find a provider that you trust and like. Make sure they are Board Certified in Plastic Surgery. There is no widely recognized certification in Cosmetic Surgery. Look at their results. Find patients with a similar appearance in their galleries and look at the results. Most importantly, look for a provider who is passionate about facial aesthetic surgery and who prioritizes facial aesthetic surgery in their practice.
• What is that provider’s approach? Do they only do one type of facelift? Does everyone get the same operation, or is the plan tailored to each patient?

I Think I Found a Provider That Might be a Fit. What Next?

Meet with the provider. Tell them your concerns. Do you feel comfortable with them? How do you feel about them as a provider? Did they engender comfort and trust? Did they feel supportive? Did you feel belittled or dismissed? Do they offer other aesthetic services that complement or prepare for eventual surgery? Try to find someone that you can establish a long-term relationship with prior to and after surgery.