Frequently Asked Questions
About Facelift Surgery

1. What is a facelift?
2. Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
3. What are the risks of a facelift?
4. Can I have other cosmetic procedures at the same time as my facelift?
5. Who is an ideal candidate for a facelift?
6. What happens during my initial facelift consultation?
7. Are the results of the facelift permanent?
8. Will I have scars from my facelift?
9. Where are the incisions made?
10. When can I return to work, exercise and driving?

1. What is a facelift?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure, the purpose of which is to erase, or at least ease, the telltale signs of aging seen in the face. A facelift smoothes wrinkles and eliminates sagginess of the neck and facial skin. Fat deposits are removed from the neck and jawline and the underlying muscles of the neck and face are tightened. The skin is then re-draped over the firmer underlayment and the excess skin is removed.

2. Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose skin has begun to sag and/or develop laxity. Most facelift patients are between 40 and 60 years of age.

3. What are the risks of a facelift?
Like any surgical procedure, a facelift does involve certain risks. The most common risks presented by a facelift include infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, poor healing, asymmetrical results and the very remote risk of permanent nerve damage.

4. Can I have other cosmetic procedures at the same time of my facelift?
It is common for patients to have other cosmetic procedures at the same time they have the facelift surgery. These procedures can include a brow lift, neck lift, eyelid lift, chemical peel, or volume replacement in the face, such as fat injections. Dr. Delgado may advise you to consider one or more of these additional procedures in order to achieve the most harmonious and natural results possible from your facelift.

5. Who is an ideal candidate for a facelift?
The ideal candidate for a facelift will understand that a facelift is intended to enhance the appearance, not to give an entirely new look. It is vital that you are realistic with your goals. A facelift can have dramatic results, but it is not designed to make you look like someone else. What a facelift does is turn the clock back eight to ten years.

6. What happens during my initial facelift consultation?
Dr. Delgado offers consultations at both his offices, so you can choose to meet with him at either his San Francisco office or his Marin County surgery center. During your facelift consultation, he will discuss your concerns and your goals. He will examine your face to evaluate the extent of skin laxity and assess other aspects of your face that may need correction in order to achieve a balanced and natural appearance. Dr. Delgado will explain incision placement, often with the aid of computer imaging. He will show you before and after photographs of patients on whom he has performed facelifts so you can see actual results of his work. You will receive a DVD that has recorded the experience of one of Dr. Delgado’s facelift patients. This patient’s story extends over the nine-month period following her facelift so you can be acquainted with the process. An exact price quote will be explained.

7. Are the results of a facelift permanent?
Although a facelift will improve your appearance, it will not stop the aging process. While facelift patients have a more youthful appearance than they would naturally, wrinkles will eventually reappear with the progression of skin laxity over time. In general, depending on when you have your facelift procedure, you will look eight to ten years younger. This will always be the case. For example, when you are 70, you will look as though you are 60 years old.

8. Will I have scars from my facelift?
Dr. Delgado will make minimal incisions in well-concealed areas. The incisions resolve extremely well over time. It is always the goal to minimize the incisions, as well as preserve the natural hairline.

9. Where are the incisions made?
Your incisions will be made within your hairline and along the natural contour of your ears. Depending on the extent of the procedure, an additional incision may be hidden underneath your chin to complete a neck lift. Dr. Delgado will show you exactly where your scars will be located during your initial consultation.

10. When can I return to work, exercise and driving?
A typical patient undergoing a facelift procedure will be very comfortable returning to work in approximately two weeks. Minor concealing makeup may be desired in areas where bruising has not yet completely resolved. You can plan to drive seven to ten days after surgery, or as soon as you are comfortable and off pain medications. Exercise routines can be resumed approximately four to six weeks after surgery, advancing slowly. The post-operative goal is to reduce swelling as quickly as possible, allowing you to return to your usual activities looking as natural as possible.

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