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How to Avoid Freakish Results from Facelifts

So many celebrities have had facelifts or eye jobs done. The result is that they look like different (odd) persons post-procedure. For example: Rose McGowan, Melanie Griffith, Gwenyth Paltrow--the list goes on. How does one avoid looking weird after a procedure like that? I'm assuming those folks went to reputable physicians. What went wrong?

Asked 27 months ago by Anonymous73 in USA

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Avoiding a done look with facelift or plastic surgery

Avoiding a done look with a facelift will not occur by accident. It will only occur if techniques that avoid a pulled look are used. The signs of a top facelift should literally be minimally detectable or undetectable. The most modern facelifts do not rely on very tight pulling of tissues as was the practice in the 80's. Rather, volume distribution and replacement are more important, and skin tightening is done more smartly, avoiding a high pull on the side of the face. For volume... more

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Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Avoiding freakish results in Facelift surgery

The best way to avoid freakish results is to carefully select an experienced surgeon and look at that surgeon's results. Carefully describe what you want to achieve. More is frequently not better; you want to appear "natural", not surgical. Celebrities are not immune from making bad decisions. A pulled, tight look is not a possible complication when the surgery is properly done.

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Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

We flat out don't know what produces freakish facelift results

Dear Anonymous On Rodeo Drive, in the middle of the street is a sculpture of a female torso with no head and no arms. I guess a hacked up body is the model of female beauty in the center of the plastic surgery universe. One thing is for sure, if our most famous stars can't get great surgery, what hope do mere mortals have? I think your concerns are appropriate. I am not really sure I argee with my colleague here who argues that most facelifts come out great or that the bad facelifts are the... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Finding the Best Plastic Surgeon for a Facelift

Great plastic surgery doesn't look like surgery. it just makes people look great. When choosing a plastic surgeon it is imperative to select a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Often, plastic surgeons who perform a great deal of aesthetic or cosmetic surgery will also be members of ASAPS. A plastic surgeon who is a member of ASAPS is an indication that a surgeon has significant interest in aesthetic plastic surgery. When evaluating a surgeons... more

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Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Have realistic expectations and do not get upsold!

Anonymous73: I agree that any cosmetic surgery patient should not be wearing someone else's vision of themselves. Celebrities are not immune to being blindsided. While it is possible to dramatically change with facial procedures, the question is whether this is ultimately in your best interest. Review photos of yourself, so you know where you're coming from, so you know where you're going. Consider carefully what is being proposed, so that you remain... more

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Lavinia Chong, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Facelift Results

A facelift is a complex procedure where the deeper tissues of the face are repositioned to a more youthful position. Facelifts which appear "done" or "windswept" are often the result of aggressive skin only facelifts where the skin is stretched in an unnatural vector. When the face is swollen, the windswept look is not as apparent. However, as the face relaxes over time, a "windswept" or lateral sweep deformity can be seen. Avoiding a... more

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Avoiding unnatural facelift results

There are many different styles and types of facelifts performed with varying results depending upon the physician that the patient goes to. The hallmark of an excellent facial plastic surgeon is to turn the clock back and without changing the whole look of the patient’s face. This can be done through minimally detectable incisions, freshening a patient’s appearance without having had the overdone look. Always communicate to your surgeon your desires and examine before and... more

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Experience matters, PR does not

Avoiding "freakish results" is a common concern for both Patients and Surgeons alike. Reading through the posted answers you have already received some excellent advice. Having a practice focusing on facelift surgery, I have this conversation with prospective patients everyday. A clear line of communication and working with an experienced Surgeon who will appreciate your anatomy and be able to provide the widest and most applicable options to you will keep you away from... more

Kamran Jafri, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelifts can have natural results

The most natural results from facelift occur from making sure that the subcutaneous tissue (fascia and muscle) vectors of pull as well as the skin vectors are appropriate to result in the desired contour of the face and neck. The skin layer should never be pulled tight. The best contours are achieved by employing these principles along with a meticulous symmetrical dissection, redraping and closure technique.

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD

Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon

Avoiding bad Facelift results

The first step is a detailed consultation with your plastic surgeon. During the consultation be sure to look at before and after photos of face lifts to get an idea about your doctors style and results. Facelifts should place most of the tightening on the deeper tissues which elevates and smooths them and then the skin is redraped over this "new" foundation with only slight tightness and hence leaving you with a natural appearance.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Communication with you surgeon is essential

The results of a surgical procedure are a combination of reviewing stated goals, surgical options and techniquesm as well as the individual's response to the surgical intervention. Quite often in plastic surgery, patients report dissatisfaction with implants not being big enough, inadequate fat removal with liposuction, not a thin enough nose, and not a tight enough facelift. Guaging the result as well as having reasonable expectations are a result of patient doctor understanding and... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Great Facelift Results

A great result following facelift surgery is usually the result of a good surgeon and good communication with the patient. A lot of what you have probably seen and consider freakish results are often times the result of a requested look by the patient. Many of the more extreme results you have seen are also the result of multiple procedures and many times, not the first time any of these procedures have been performed on these patients. If you are clear with your surgeon and truly... more

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD

Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgeon

Avoiding bad results from a facelift

Hello, The best advice I can give you is to do your research when choosing a physician. And once you make the choice, be sure to communicate with them what you would like to achieve, and make sure they are capable of handling it safely and professionally. You may look at the doctor's style via before and after photos. Thank you, and best of luck to you. Dr. Nassif

Paul S. Nassif, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Celebrity looks not that great

Hi, Reputable physicians are not always reputable...just look at what happened to Michael Jackson. The most common misconception is that celebrities go to the best plastic surgeons.To have celebrity status as a plastic surgeon means that you have good PR agent and not necessarily good talent. The best way to find a good plastic surgeon is to look at the work he or she does and be happy with that. Just because a plastic surgeon is talked about in a magazine or on TV does not mean anything about h more

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Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

It's the surgeon and patient who like these done looks

If I wanted to hire an architect I would want to see finished examples of his work! Why not take the time to do your homework and see long term results of a surgeon you are considering? These "weird looks" are not a result of complications. You don't notice the great facelifts, because they don't look done.

Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Weird Looking Facelifts - How do you avoid them?

Several reasons- ITSS - "it's the surgeon stupid" principle. Because of the absolute need to look attractive in certain industries and communities, some cities like LA and others have a huge concentration of Plastic surgeons and Dermatologists. Added to these boarded specialists are thousands of other non-Plastic surgeons physicians (who trained in OTHER areas) who PRACTICE Plastic Surgery and thousands more of non-MD's who also practice Plastic Surgery. Your result will depend on... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

How to avoid looking like you had a facelift

The best way to avoid an unnatural look after a facelift is to ask your surgeon not to stretch your face like an accordion. What I mean by that is that typically your face falls up and down and not sideways. Most facelifts unfortunately are lifted laterally or pulled toward the ears in an unnatural direction. To avoid that from happening, I recommend that you have an anti-gravity type of lift that lifts the soft tissues of the neck in a more vertical direction. Also, by not removing too much... more

Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Weird looking facelifts are pretty common.

Hi! 1) This is a very good question. In a word, it is all about the surgeon, not about the particular type of facelift. 2) Doing a good facelift is an art more than a science. Some surgeons have a good eye, can visualize a natural result, and can operate on the tissues to get that natural result. And some cannot. Ask to see A LOT of before and after pictures. 3) And don't assume that celebrities get the best doctors. Often, celebrities end up in the hands of doctors who pursue... more

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Most patients who have facelifts actually look good, and natural

Unfortunately, poor surgical results stand out. The few who have bad results creates a black eye for the entire industry. Celebrities try to push the envelope. If a little is good, more is better. There is a lot of pressure in Hollywood to look younger and younger, so procedures tend to be done too early, and too often. The key to a natural Facelift is to find a doctor who gets natural results. Ask to see some before and after photos. Talk to a few doctors to get different opinions, then... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Avoiding a bad Facelift

I believe there are two main reasons for bad facelifts. First is technique. Many people still use the same technique they learned in residency. What may have been accepted as a good result then may not be today. In order to provide excellent results that look natural, one must keep up with the newest discoveries in technique and the thinking about what constitutes beauty. There have been a significant number of changes in technique in the last several years that allow us to return the face... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Take the time to carefully explain to your surgeon what your objectives are

Take the time to carefully explain to your plastic surgeon what your objectives are and be sure he is taking the time to listen. Many of these "bad results" may actually be pleasing to the patient because they see their needs differently than you do. The key to avoiding a bad outcome is communication before the surgery. However you should avoid a surgeon who is committed to one style or type of facial rejuvenation ("face lifts" are really out of style and seldom by... more

Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Avoiding a bad facelift

You are absolutely right in wondering how a well-connected wealthy Hollywood star could get some of the bad facelifts they get. They could go anywhere afterall. The key is to do your research and visit several doctors and really look at many photos of their results to find the one that looks the best and the most natural to you. No 2 surgeons are the same and practicing in Beverly Hills is no guarantee of talent and artistry. I have several examples of facelifts on my web site and here... more