How to predict what a facelift will look like?

Lying on your back may give you some idea of effective re-draping the tissues. Occasionally I will do video imaging on possible facelift patients to give them some idea of what to expect. A facelift however doesn't really change your basic physical appearance just restores youth.

 Laying on your back will give a very generalized idea of what you may look like after a facelift. The goal of a comprehensive lower face and neck lift is to tighten loose facial and neck skin, tighten loose facial and neck muscles, tighten the jowls, and remove fatty deposits above and below the platysma muscle in the neck.

Lying on your back does give a pretty good "preview" of what you can expect from a facelift. But also remember that facelift surgery typically includes liposuction of the neck, tightening of the muscle under the skin, removal of excess skin, and the movement of fat back into proper position. So you may look even better than what you're seeing just lying on your back. Have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and review your options. I wish you all the best.

The appearance of your face and neck when you are on your back can be a good method to see how your face would look after a facelift.  If you are sitting, you could also pull back the skin in front and behind your ears to get an idea as well.  At the time of your consultation, the surgeon should also be able to show you.

Yes, lying on your back is a good approximation of what you will look like after a facelift done by a very experienced surgeon who does natural looking, non-operated, overdone facelifts.      

What you have described, lying on your back, is the most commonly used method for a plastic surgeon to approximate what you would look like.  Best of luck if you decide to pursue surgery!

Hi... thank you for the question... When you lie back.. gravity make your excess skin to retract.. it is some how your face will be.. do a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for a more specific explanation about your results  

While on your back you do look a little better but is not a natural change as the tissues go sideways toward your ears. This is movement to standard facelifts. Your face aged straight down like gravity. To simulate a natural result yiu would need to elevate your lower face and cheeks straight up toward lower lids.

involve laying flat on your back and viewing yourself in a mirror... and its nice to see that this has been passed down through the generations!

That is a great question because it can be hard to predict.  Lying on your back is only half the story.  When you are seen in consultation, we can give you a better idea of what parts of the face get improved and how it will improved. Hard to do online or at home.