Undergoing facial surgery is a big decision and should not be taken lightly or done on an impulse. To ensure you make the right decision, there are a few key things to consider.
Know the types of procedures available
Most facial aesthetic procedures are centered around facial rejuvenation, however, not all of them. Certain types of procedures are designed to reshape certain aspects the face to make them more aesthetically pleasing whether this is related to aging or not. The most common types of procedures are face-lifts, neck-lifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid lifts (blepharoplasty), mid face-lifts, brow-lifts, facial fat grafting, and facial resurfacing. There is also a plethora of non-surgical options available to those patients that need minimal downtime such as Botox, Fillers, and light chemical peels.
The type of procedure you decide on will depend on what you want to achieve and the amount of recovery time available. Make sure you discuss these options with your surgeon when you go in for your consultation. Every procedure I perform is customized and designed around each individual patient’s needs and expectations.
What is your motivation?
It is always important to think about your motivations for getting facial surgery. You must remember that facial surgery is most often permanent and therefore you should be absolutely certain that it’s what you want. This should be 100% your decision and without any outside influences. You should never get facial surgery because you’re depressed and feel as though surgery will fix all your problems. This is a very dangerous road to go down and many times patients will end up with regret and feeling as though their problems are worse rather than better. In most cases, these types of problems are evident during the consultation and discussed before proceeding with any surgery. We will gladly assist anyone find the help they need if these situations are encountered.
Are the results permanent?
Although many people would love for us to stop the aging process, it is simply impossible. Nothing lasts forever, however, some facial procedures do last longer than others. Rhinoplasty is one of the longest-lasting procedures that plastic surgeons perform. Because we are reshaping bone and cartilage during the surgery, a well-performed rhinoplasty can last decades without noticing much change. Other procedures such as face/neck/and brow lifts typically have an average longevity of 7-10 years when done on the right patient.
Nonsurgical options like botox and fillers will typically only last from 3-4 months to 12-24 months, respectively.
Your budget
Facial surgery is usually quite costly, so you should be in a comfortable position financially before you consider it. Rates do vary from one clinic to the next, but you should be very wary of any surgeon who offers you discounts as an incentive. Cosmetic surgery is a luxury, not a necessity. Do not put yourself in a financially stressful situation if you can’t afford it.
The risk of complications
Another thing you should be aware of is the risk of complications. Any type of surgery carries a certain level of risk. The possible complications vary from one procedure to another so you should find out from your surgeon exactly what the amount of risk is and what complications could arise.
Side effects and recovery time
Facial surgery does have some side effects, though they usually subside within the first couple of weeks after surgery. Typical side effects include temporary swelling and bruising.
You should find out from your surgeon, what the side effects of your procedure are and how long it will be before you’re able to return to work.
