If you are experiencing noticeable signs of aging on your face and/or neck such as sagging, drooping, loss of volume or contour, or deep wrinkles, you’ve probably already considered getting facelift surgery. For those in the Vancouver area, getting a consultation from Dr. Pugash is an excellent first step in evaluating if you are a candidate for a facelift, what you can expect from the procedure, and how you can prepare for the surgery itself. If you are interested in learning more about a facelift procedure, here is the basic information you need to know.
Are you a Good Candidate For a Facelift?
Knowing if you are a good candidate for a facelift is the first step in the process. Dr. Pugash finds that both men and women can benefit from this procedure and most of his facelift patients are in their 50s or 60s. Ideal candidates are experiencing advanced signs of aging on their neck and face that include deep wrinkles, sagging or excess skin, and loss of contour. For those patients who have minor signs of aging, such as fine lines, dull or hyperpigmented skin, or reduced volume, other treatments or procedures may be recommended instead. For example, Botox can treat lines caused by repeated expressions while dermal fillers can address loss of volume and microdermabrasion or chemical peels can restore radiance to the skin. Sometimes, these more minor procedures can prolong the need for a facelift, especially for patients in their 40s and early 50s.
To be considered an ideal candidate for a facelift, you should also be healthy, a non-smoker, and not have excessive weight that you plan on losing. You should also not be on any medications that can increase your risk of bleeding or impair your healing process.
Dr. Pugash’s Facelift Procedure
Knowing what is involved in the facelift procedure will help you decide if it is something you want to undergo to address your aging concerns. Dr. Pugash tailors his procedure to each patient depending on their desired results, facial structure, and overall health. In some instances, he is able to use a short scar technique that eliminates all scarring behind the ear. This is appealing to men and some women who want to be able to wear their hair short or up without being self-conscious of their facelift scar.
During the procedure, Dr. Pugash will perform an incision that allows him to remove excess fat, tighten underlying muscles, and remove loose skin. In some cases, he will also graft fat to areas of the face that have lost volume to restore fullness. Depending on the patient, he will usually use a Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic (SMAS) process or a deep plane process. The SMAS procedure elevates and secures the underlying muscles while the deep plane technique goes even deeper to separate muscles from underlying tissue before being repositioned. While the deep plane technique is more involved and complicated than the SMAS technique, it can often produce more natural and long-lasting results.
Healing from a Facelift
The recovery and downtime required after a facelift are one of the major concerns of those considering the procedure. Dr. Pugash finds that most of his facelift patients are recovered enough to return to their normal schedules after about two weeks. During this time, they will experience swelling, bruising, and some pain or discomfort and will have to follow special instructions to care for their incisions. Facelift patients should have a friend or family member who can drive them to and from their surgery as well as stay with them for a day or two after surgery to help take care of them.
During the recovery period, it’s vital that you avoid smoking and taking any medications that could impede your healing process. You should also contact Dr. Pugash’s office if you believe you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary or if you feel you are not healing properly based on the timeline you were given.
Your Facelift Consultation with Dr. Pugash
If you are a good candidate for a facelift and believe it is something you’d like to seriously consider, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Pugash. As one of the leading Vancouver facelift surgeons, Dr. Pugash is experienced in this procedure and focuses on patient goals to help them achieve the rejuvenating results they desire. Schedule your consultation today!