If you have high blood pressure, is it safe to have a lower facelift? If so, what's the best form of anesthesia to be used?

Assuming your high blood pressure is managed with medications, you should be able to have a lower facelift. I prefer IV sedation over general anesthesia for this. Liposuction alone will probably make "turkey neck" worse.

In many cases, plastic surgery can be done with some health #conditions. It just depends on the #medical condition at the time. Also, many face and neck procedures are performed in the doctor's office under twilight #anesthesia if feasible. In addition to a required one-on-one consultation with a board certified Plastic Surgeon, patients always need to be seen by their primary care doctor prior to such procedures. Every patient is screened for risks of blood clots (DVT) and then take appropriate measures. However, your doctor can give greater detail per your situation during a consultation. Including advice on #medication you may use for your condition during and around the time of your procedure.

It is safe to undergo facelift if your blood pressure (hypertension) is well controlled. You will need to see your family physician or your cardiologist before surgery and they will guide you on how to best maintain your blood pressure. Liposuction will not cause loose hanging skin. Excess skin will be excised during your facelift. RegardsDr. J

You can have a facelift with high blood pressure, as long as the BP is under control. Its not a good idea to have a facelift with uncontrolled, meaning, too high BP, as you are increasing your chances of bleeding during and after surgery. I have plenty of patients who have high blood pressure that are well controlled with medications, so they are great candidates for surgery. The best form of anesthesia is one that your surgeon is comfortable with; I perform all my facelifts without general anesthesia, as thats my preference - I find it leads to a quicker recovery and a safer procedure for my patients. Your third question concerning liposucition to the neck; i routinely perform liposuction to the neck with facelifts, if extra fat is there. If you are only having liposucion without a facelift or a neck lift, then you are right, there is a risk of having looser skin visible, however, it really depends on your skin elasticity and extent of laxity of neck skin- so easier to say with pictures and an examination. 

Without in-person evaluation it is impossible to give you good advice. Usually in your age group anterior neck lift or neck/face lift is better and more permanent solution. Good luck.

It is best to see your regular doctor to optimize your blood pressure control. I prefer my patient be on a Beta blocker to control the blood pressure and heart rate. See a board certified ASAPS plastic surgeon in consultation. Best results are with a facelift with SMAS,

I would discuss this with your plastic surgeon and your anaesthetist but a controlled high Blood pressure would not be contra indication for any form of anaesthesia.

We have great success with general anesthesia, administered by our staff anesthesiologist, for our lower facelift procedures.  These usually take less than 3 hours to complete and patients wake up feeling refreshed and comfortable.  High blood pressure definitely needs to be well controlled before facelift surgery in order to minimize risk of hematoma formation.  Liposuction alone in a 55 year old will likely NOT be successful due to lack of skin laxity and this will result in more sagging skin, which is remove in a lower face/neck lift.  Best of luck to you!

 It's important to make sure your blood pressure is under good control before and after a facelift procedure to prevent a hematoma formation.  In our practice, we used board-certified physician anesthesiologists during the surgery to monitor blood pressure. Probably best to seek out treatment for your high blood pressure to get it under control prior to undergoing elective cosmetic surgery. At age 55, a lower face and neck lift will be required to rejuvenate the neck. This includes tightening loose facial and neck skin, tightening loose facial and neck muscles, lifting the jowls, and removing the fatty deposits in the neck with liposuction in addition to a platysma-plasty. For many examples and more information, please see the link and the video below

  This is a very good question, and the correct answer may be better than you think.  First of all, you have to be sure that your blood pressure is controlled by your doctors.  Without good control you shouldn't have anything done!  Once controlled, however, you should be a good candidate for any type of surgery.  Check with your local physicians.  Liposuctioning would not be suitable for most patients if they have loose skin either before or after the procedure.  Surgery should be done that would respect skin, firm up muscles, etc.  in other words, have a facelift instead!

Good luck to you.
Frank Rieger M.D.  Tampa Plastic Surgeon