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Step 1
Infection is a serious risk of any surgery, including facelift techniques. Common symptoms include sensitivity to touch, redness and swelling. If found early, infections can often be treated with medication.
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Step 2
Prepare to deal with the scarring that occurs with facelift surgery. Though the procedure's incisions are designed to be hidden from sight, usually behind the ears, along the hairline or beneath the chin, some scarring is usually inevitable. Scars usually fade over time, becoming barely noticeable, but in some patients they can remain thick and visible.
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Step 3
Anesthesia is used to prepare the patient during facelift surgery. It may cause side effects for some patients. Nausea may occur immediately following the surgery due to a reaction to the anesthesia, but should disappear within a few hours.
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Step 4
Prepare for the possibility that the procedure may cause damage to the nerves in the face that control the muscles, though this usually heals itself. You may also experience numbness or a tingling sensation around the incisions on the face. Some patients may experience facial weakness, requiring several weeks or months to regain full control of facial movements and expressions.
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Step 5
Light bleeding after facelift surgery is normal. Heavier bleeding can result in bruising or a hematoma if left untreated. A hematoma can cause swelling that may interrupt the blood flow, requiring surgery to fix the problem.
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Step 6
The results of the facelift procedure generally last from 5 to 10 years, some patients fail to see results that last longer than several months to a year. Older patients, typically above the age of 65, sometimes require a second facelift surgery to see significant results.
