You may be asking the wrong question. There are certainly advantages to a well-timed facelift for the right candidate; and resolving concerns today can act as a preventative buffer for issues in the future or an escalation of your current concern. But framing the timing of a facelift — or any cosmetic procedure, for that matter — as a matter of saving money or finding a “good deal” will set you up for disappointment.
The bottom line is: yes, correcting problems from onset is usually a good idea and can prevent or delay future issues, but quality cosmetic surgery does cost money. If you simply seek out the surgeon willing to give you a facelift at the lowest price possible, you are probably going to be disappointed.
Preventative Measures
When most people think of cosmetic procedures, they think in terms of correcting problems and flaws they already perceive, which may be causing them trouble in personal or professional relationships, or diminished confidence. But another way to look at facial treatments such as a facelift is to consider how an early correction of issues such as facial lines and sagging cheeks can prevent them from turning into a larger and larger issue down the line. A facelift or any other facial cosmetic surgery cannot reverse or cease the effects of aging, but it can slow down the signs with results that are long-lasting.
If you consider how often you smile, frown, furrow your eyebrows, go out into the sun, or look in the mirror and notice that your features seem to be drooping more and more as the years go by — essentially countless times every day — it makes sense that these repeated stressors will show their effects more with time. If you are already a candidate for a facelift, delaying treatment will only reveal that your concerns gradually worsen. This is a normal part of aging but not one we are stuck with.
A candidate for a facelift is usually somebody who presents with a neck cord, a band of skin and muscle under the chin. If you are showing the early signs of aging but do not yet have this neck cord, your facial concerns can typically be addressed with a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that does not involve surgery. This may be BOTOX, a facial filler, or other means of facial rejuvenation. It truly depends on the unique nature of your experience and anatomy. Just as it’s important to know when a facelift is indicated, it’s equally important to know when a nonsurgical approach will help. Either way, an early consultation with an expert can save you years of worry and concern as you decide whether to get a facelift today, ten years from now, or never at all. A qualified surgeon can help you make these decisions.
A Bargain Isn’t the Best Deal
When you are ready to commit to aesthetic facial improvements by means of cosmetic surgery, this comes with putting value in the leading treatment providers and specialized, experienced surgeons. Great results can be affordable and reasonable, and most top surgeons offer payment options from which you may choose; but you will need to be willing to invest in your facelift if you want the best results.
For the Best Care…
Choose a surgeon with specialization and fellowship training in facial cosmetic surgery, with an emphasis on minimally invasive methods. It is essential to have surgery that is specifically tailored for your face. This means that your doctor will see you as an individual, provide you with an individualized consultation and physical examination, then personally design a program of care that is catered to you. Your doctor should value a natural look, with minimally invasive techniques and quick recovery. Especially important is the experience level, reputation, and specialized training of your doctor. Please note that many great general plastic surgeons do not have the level of training and qualifications required to perfect the details of a facelift and other procedures for which an understanding of how to create facial balance is an absolute must.
We invite you to consult with Dr. Steinsapir, a leading oculofacial cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills and at UCLA . He is broadly trained and offers unique personal service including tailored facelifts. He is an leader in minimally invasive procedures and offers surgery both at his office surgery center and the UCLA Medical Center. At an individual consultation, Dr. Steinsapir can help you determine which treatment is right for you at the right time.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.