Is there a role of “preventative” facelift surgery
I’ve heard the term “preventative cosmetic surgery” once too often lately and I wanted to address this subject. Rejuvenative cosmetic operations are being touted to younger and younger patients. Smaller operations, “mini facelift”, with shorter incisions are being proposed for patients as young as thirty five or forty. Midface lifting is espoused in even younger patients. Is that appropriate? I believe the answer is no.
Here is an example of a relatively young patient , I found on the web, who has undergone a facelift operation:
Besides having makeup, and perhaps a slightly improved upper neck contour, it is hard to see any effect from a facelift operation in this patient. The neck contour could have been improved with a simple liposuction procedure.
The concept of preventative cosmetic treatments took hold with popularization of Botox. Cosmetic doctors began to talk about Botox treatment in younger patients, as a way of preventing the development of frown lines or crow’s feet. Smaller procedures such as Botox or filler injections (Restylane, Juvederm), have relatively low risk, and they are temporary. As such, the risks are very low and the treatments may be justified. Surgical procedures carry real risk, they should be recommended in a more considered manner. There is no real place for a “preventative facelift”.
Rhinoplasty has been traditionally a cosmetic operation for younger patients, as young as fifteen. Rhinoplasty is a reshaping operation and not a rejuvenation procedure. Fat liposuction in the neck is appropriate for patients as young as their twenties when there is a clear over abundance of neck fat. Patients in their late thirties to forties are candidates for blepharoplasty or eyelid rejuvenation. However, facelift, midfacelift, and neck lift operations should be performed in patients who need rejuvenation, not in those who want to “prevent aging”. Facelift procedures are best suited for patients in their late fifties to sixties who show sings of aging such as jowl formation, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and neck skin redundancy.
Although cosmetic surgery is safe and patient satisfaction surveys show high level of satisfaction in those who have had cosmetic surgery, as surgeons, it is up to us to maintain high standards in choosing the appropriate patient and recommending the proper procedures.
Tags: facelift, mini facelift, preventative cosmetic surgery