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Step 1
Decide if you are a good candidate. Not every person is an ideal candidate to get a facelift. Sagging skin around the jaw and eyes can be minimized with a facelift. The best candidates will have a good bone structure and be healthy enough to go into and recover from the surgery.
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Step 2
Expect the right outcome. With any cosmetic surgery, the point is to make the best of what you have, and to make you look good for your age. Those who are wanting to look and feel 10 to 20 years younger are not going to be happy with the results. When you get a facelift you must have realistic expectations for the outcome of the surgery.
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Step 3
See a surgeon. Talk to a cosmetic surgeon, and you can get second and third opinions to ensure you get the right information and weigh your options. A surgeon will be able to give you a realistic view of what the surgery entails and what kind of recovery time you should expect. They will also be able to give you information regarding the cost and payment options for their practice.
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Step 4
Weigh your options. There is not a one size fits all surgery. There are implants, for cheekbones and jaw lines, which can help to improve the shape of your face and bone structure. A thread lift, or lunch-time facelift, is another option. These take less time, about an hour, and require less recovery time. These are best for those with minimal, but noticeable sagging, and wrinkles or sagging around the eyes and forehead. Thermage is also becoming popular, and it requires no incisions. It uses radio waves to reduce wrinkles and modify the contours of the face.
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Step 5
Quit smoking. You must quit smoking before you go in for surgery. Avoid taking medications that may complicate bleeding before the surgery is scheduled. Grow your hair out a bit to cover any incisions after the surgery is complete.
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Step 6
Schedule your surgery. Once you have talked to a surgeon and decided to get a facelift, schedule the surgery for a time when you are able to take time off to recover. You will need 2 to 3 weeks of recovery time in order to let all of your incisions heal properly.
