If you are given a sedative during your facelift, then you most likely won't remember the procedure. While it's happening, you'll likely be awake, although you'll feel very relaxed. However, because the sedative medication blocks the formation of memories, you won't remember it later.
A facelift can absolutely be performed very safely without the use of general anesthesia. I've performed thousands of procedures in an office setting using light sedation and local anesthesia.
Almost all facelifts performed nowadays are safe, more so when performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon. An awake facelift is even safer. It removes the need for a general anesthetic and reduces post-operative risk by reducing bruising and swelling.
Twilight anesthesia or IV Sedation is a well accepted alternative to general anesthesia. Most facelifts and eyelid procedures can be comfortably performed with twilight anesthesia.
While it may seem like facelift surgery should be an incredibly painful procedure, the truth is that most patients are surprised at how little discomfort they actually experience.
Injectable treatments will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but they will not remove excess skin, improve skin laxity, or eliminate skin sagging. The only way to effectively treat these issues is through surgery. A facelift will provide much more long-lasting results than non-surgical options.
Facelift recovery time
You should look and feel normal after 2 – 4 weeks. Keep in mind that facelift surgery cannot stop natural aging, so we encourage patients to continue to take care of their skin and make healthy lifestyle choices.
Facelift is also considered major surgery based on a longer recovery time than following lesser invasive treatments. Swelling may linger for several months, however the majority of swelling and bruising resolves over the first few weeks post-operatively.
A face-lift can give your face and neck a more youthful appearance. Face-lift results are not permanent. With age, the facial skin may begin to droop again. In general, a face-lift can be expected to last 10 years.
Because you don't have to go under general anesthesia for the mini facelift, you are able to stay awake and walk out after the procedure. An additional benefit is that since the mini facelift is done under local anesthesia, often little-to-no pre-operative testing is necessary.
How much does a facelift cost? The average cost of a facelift is $8,005, according to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.
There is an option for a slightly less invasive procedure called a mini-facelift – and it can be completed without general anesthesia!
There is usually very little actual pain following a facelift, but you may experience a deep bruised sensation as a result of the swelling, and your face may seem heavy. The bandage you will wear the first night may seem quite snug under your chin. Rather than make you feel restricted, we hope it makes you feel secure.
There is a reason all procedures, including our most recognized TLC Lift™, are performed under local anesthetic with oral sedation at The Lanfranchi Center.
A mini facelift involves the placement of incisions in front of the ears which extend from the hairline to the bottom of the earlobe. The surgeon will then gently pull the skin and tissues up and outward the ear. Excess skin and tissue are removed to tighten the appearance of the skin.
In most cases, a facelift works best for people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s when signs of aging begin to become prevalent. Deep lines, wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin are the result of the aging process and can be best corrected through surgical techniques rather than non-surgical ones.
You will feel some pain for 2 to 4 days after surgery. You may have some trouble opening your mouth for several days. The skin around the incision probably will be numb. You may have some itching or shooting pain as the feeling returns.
Overall, a mini facelift is considered effective in correcting sagging skin in the lower half of your face. Depending on your overall goals, you may consider additional procedures, such as an eye lift or dermal fillers.
Poor wound healing and skin loss. Prolonged swelling. Skin irregularities and discoloration. Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal.
Facelift fails are most likely to occur when a surgeon doesn't have the level of training and experience required to do a good job with the procedure you want. This is why you should be sure to look for a facial plastic surgeon for any facial surgery, not simply a plastic surgeon.
While facelift results can be different for every patient, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that, on average, patients felt they looked about 12 years younger after their facelift surgeries.
1. You may shower and wash your hair with a mild shampoo 48 hours after surgery. Your hair may be dried with a blow dryer on a cool setting since you may not have full sensation in the operative areas. Gently wash your face and neck at this time.
Numbness and Tingling Will Fade
These symptoms can persist for quite some time; a common time frame before you can expect them to fade is usually between 2 and 6 months, but it is also considered normal for them to last up to a year.