Facelift surgery is considered a safe cosmetic procedure, but all surgery carries some risk. This blog discusses what risks patients should know about, as well as what they can do to avoid them.
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Is Facelift Surgery Safe?
If aging concerns such as loose jowls, deep creases, wrinkles, and a loss of facial definition are starting to affect your appearance, you might be considering a facelift for a refresh. Since facelift surgery is widely considered the logical step for moderate to severe facial aging, it’s natural (and important) to want to learn more about the procedure’s safety before jumping into a consultation.
Facelifts are considered elective procedures, like all cosmetic procedures. They aren’t medically necessary, so the patient is choosing to undergo it on their own. But elective and emergency surgery all carry some form of risk—some, more than others. There are many factors that play into how risky a procedure is considered, such as the relative complexity of the procedure, the length of time the patient will need to be placed under anesthesia, the treatment area in question, and even the expertise of the surgeon.
All things considered, facelifts (under ideal conditions) are considered safe. However, it’s not enough to just say they’re safe. We’ll discuss common risks with facelift surgery, as well as the factors that affect safety and what choices you can make to increase your own well-being and the success of your procedure.
What Are Common Facelift Risks?
Surgical risks are potential complications that can arise during or after surgery. While rare, they are possible due to complications with the patient’s internal makeup, health issues, healing issues, errors on the surgeon’s or surgical team’s part, or any number of combined factors.
Side effects are not the same thing—these are accompanying changes or temporary elements that are a normal part of medical intervention. You probably think of side effects in terms of medication, but it’s common with surgery as well. Swelling and bruising are examples of typical side effects of surgery, and they’re also a sign that your body is healing and doing its job.
That being said, potential facelift risks include the following:
- Anesthesia risks
- Excessive bleeding
- Thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Facial nerve injury
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Numbness or changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing or skin loss (necrosis)
- Poor scarring
- Poor results
These risks are rare, and most surgeons will be able to control the relative likelihood of these occurring through careful vetting of the patient and making ethical decisions before, during, and after surgery. However, some risks are products of poor aftercare or misinformation on the part of the patient, especially during the healing process.
How Can I Avoid Facelift Risks?
Ensuring a safe procedure—one that not only keeps the patient healthy, but also creates a beautiful surgical result—has a lot to do with both the actions of the patient and surgeon together. There will always be some level of risk—but you have more control over your own safety and satisfaction than you might think! Here are some steps you can take to improve your chances of a safe and satisfying experience.
1. Choose the Best Possible Facelift Surgeon
Your choice of surgeon is one of the most important decisions you can make when it comes to your facelift. Not only should you choose someone who has extensive experience (we’re talking hundreds of facelifts performed), but who also has a good bedside manner, who has your best interests at heart, and who is honest. You can choose the best surgeon in the country, but if they are rude in your consultation, don’t listen to your needs, or seem uninterested in your concerns or questions, they probably don’t care about you as a patient.
Choosing a board-certified facial specialist like Dr. Jason Diamond ensures that your surgeon has focused solely on the nuanced approaches, techniques, and needs of facelift patients. Generalists are fine, but a specialist gives you an extra edge of assurance that they have plenty of practice and know exactly what to do if something goes wrong.
Additionally, look for patient reviews—Dr. Diamond has a ton of glowing reviews because he treats his patients extremely well, listens to their goals, and has integrity in his work. This is concrete evidence of your surgeon’s treatment of people—how they interact, how they make their patients feel, and the results they can supply. Facelift before and afters are also key; you want to know their level of skill.
2. Be Honest In Your Consultation
Many of these risks have to do with the patient’s overall health and any medical conditions or medications that can interfere with surgery and recovery. During your consultation, your surgeon will require recent medical history, as well as a list of any medications you are taking. This is to ensure you don’t have any conflicting conditions, such as those that affect healing and bleeding, that can affect the safety of your procedure. The same goes for medications and even vitamin supplements. Be thorough with this information, and be sure to discuss with your doctor or surgeon before adding any new medications prior to surgery.
You’ll be asked if you smoke or use nicotine products—don’t lie! Nicotine (patches, gum, vaping, chew—all of it) is very dangerous as it constricts the blood vessels, impairing circulation. This is dangerous for the surgery itself, but it also affects your healing abilities in the recovery process. Poor circulation can result in cell death (necrosis), which causes the skin and tissues to essentially die. That’s not great for results or your safety, so take the smoking question seriously and commit to quitting.
You may be asked to have a blood panel before surgery, which will flag any other issues you might be unaware of. The more thorough your pre-surgical screening process, the better your chances of avoiding unnecessary risk.
3. Follow Your Aftercare Instructions
Sometimes, the difference between a beautiful surgical result and a lackluster one is the patient’s adherence to recovery rules. Dr. Diamond can only do so much once you leave the table, so it’s up to you to follow his instructions and do your part to maintain the beautiful results he creates.
One of the most common mistakes facelift recovery patients make is jumping back into activities too soon. A facelift doesn’t affect your torso or limbs, so why can’t you go to the gym? Well, bending, lifting, and jumping can pull on your incisions, cause worse scars, increase swelling and discomfort, and delay healing! Recovery is all about rest, eating healthy, and incorporating light movement to reduce blood clot risks. Even when you feel better—especially when you feel better—stay strong and keep resting.
Another tip that shouldn’t be ignored is proper skin care and sun protection. Dr. Diamond places incisions in very discreet locations, but you should always protect your skin from the sun, even once you’re healed. SPF will help reduce the risk of large, dark scars, which can detract from your surgical results.
4. When in Doubt, Call Your Surgeon
One of the benefits of choosing a high-end facial specialist is the VIP treatment you can expect even after your surgery is finished. The Diamond Face Institute is known for our luxury treatment of celebrities and everyday folks alike; our results speak for themselves, but our high level of professionalism and patient care is what sets us truly apart. If you are unsure about any part of the facelift process, and especially the recovery process, our team is ready to help answer any questions you have and connect you with Dr. Diamond’s expert opinion and care throughout the whole process.
Ready for the Ultimate Facelift in Beverly Hills, CA?
Call The Diamond Face Institute today to learn more about the consultation process, what information you’ll need from your healthcare providers, and how Dr. Diamond can help you reach your aesthetic goals in a safe, luxury environment. Call (310) 859-9816 or fill out our contact form for more information and to request a consultation with Dr. Diamond.