What Are the Pros and Cons of a Face Lift?

Starting with the cons: You will need to put your life "on hold" for about 2 weeks while you are healing. This takes some planning for most people to be out of the public eye for this period of time. Secondly, it can be expensive depending on what combination of procedures you have done. Third, you could end up with an "overdone" look, so be very careful in picking your surgeon.

Now looking at the pros: The first most obvious is the feeling of a new lease on life, rolling the clock back 10 or more years is the main motivation. A popular comment at the time of consultation is, "I want to look as young as I feel".  Another popular reason these days is feeling more competitive in a youth driven job market. The boost in self esteem helps many gain the confidence needed to seek reemployment.

The answer depends on who performs your surgery.  A properly performed facelift shouldn’t have any cons:  you should look better, feel better, and not have any health ramifications.  Your face will look lifted and refreshed but not artificial; your incisions will be hidden; your jowls will disappear along with neck laxity.  Proper preoperative medical clearance and an extremely skilled anesthesiologist will guarantee that you get through the surgery without issue.  However, I have seen results that are not necessarily as described above when patients who seek revision facelift procedures find me to correct work done elsewhere.  I’ve seen incisions that are ropy and thick and easily visible , faces that look pulled and unnatural, and have heard stories about poor postoperative care.  I suggest that you do your research carefully and that you set up consultations with several different board certified plastic surgeons who have many befores and afters of facelift surgery that show elegant results. 

When a facelift is performed by an expert facelift surgeon on a good surgical candidate the results can dramatically enhance ones beauty.   The procedure is the most powerful tool in facial rejuvenation.   The cons include recovery time and rare surgical complication.    

A nicely done facelift can look absolutely great.  These are among my happiest patients.  But it is surgery which does involve some risks, including scars, bleeding and infection.  If you go to a reputable, experienced surgeon, the risks are low.  Also check out the surgeon's work and serif the work looks natural.  Good luck!

There’s definitely pros and cons
associated with facelift surgery. 
For this reason, it’s not unusual for patients to spend significant
amounts of time evaluating this issue.

Facelift surgery is the most
powerful tool that’s available for treating facial aging.  The procedure has the ability to remove
excess skin and reposition sagging skin. 
The results of this procedure can be dramatic. It’s safe to say that no
other therapeutic intervention has this type of impact.  In addition, compared to other anti-aging
maneuvers the procedure has a relatively long duration.

In contrast, it’s important to
remember that it’s a major surgical procedure, that has a
lengthy recovery, significant costs, scarring and the potential for
complications.

Despite this, most patients are
extremely happy with the results of this procedure and describe it as a life
changing experience.

All surgical procedures have benefits and tradeoffs. For facelift surgery, the advantages are a younger-looking appearance with fewer signs of aging, including wrinkles and sagging skin. A facelift can sculpt a more defined jawline and tighten the tissue in the mid-face and lower face. Most of my patients say they look 5 to 10 years younger after their surgery, and with proper maintenance, they can look young for many years.

The disadvantages of a facelift are similar to any cosmetic surgery. There are always risks associated with general anesthesia, and recovery time will be necessary. However, choosing an educated, trained, and qualified surgeon greatly reduces your risks from surgery. Good luck!