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Are you planning a facelift surgery? Have you often considered it, but you’re not sure where to start? If you’re like many other Toronto men and women nearing or just past mid-life, taking good care of your skin may no longer do the trick. No matter how fit you are, as you age, your face could lose elasticity, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots. This is an expert’s guide to planning your facelift and knowing what to avoid.

Do you know what a facelift surgery is for?

Facelift surgery is a cosmetic procedure designed to target these effects, giving your face a rejuvenated appearance. A Toronto facelift surgeon knows how to reposition not just the loose skin you see in the mirror, but also the layers of tissue change and volume loss underneath. As elasticity and collagen fade out and muscles atrophy, your neck and jawline, eyelid skin, brow, and forehead could all begin to tell the story of your age. In fact, depending on individual genetics, environmental damage, or lifestyle, you might even start to appear older than you are.

People usually begin to seek a surgical facelift once other non-invasive approaches lose their effects. If you have deep-set wrinkles or sagging, no skincare product or anti-aging cream will reverse the changes for you. Only a face lift can remove the excess skin and lift the structures underneath. Short-term skin-tightening solutions or dermal fillers can help, but the most impactful and long-lasting changes come from facelift surgery. Dr. Torgerson performs numerous facial lifting and tightening procedures in his Toronto practice. Because he dedicates his work to the cosmetic improvement of head and neck concerns, Dr. Torgerson has in-depth and advanced experience plus innovative approaches to delivering longer-lasting, satisfying, and natural-looking results.

Whether a deep plane facelift, mini facelift, or revitalization for the neck, this guide will help you thoughtfully consider your many options and take the next steps to plan the best facelift surgery for you.

To have successful facelift surgery, it’s essential to be prepared for your procedure. In this guide, you’ll learn critical steps to help you get organized and avoid problems.

How do you know if you might need a facelift?

Facelift surgery could be the right choice for you if you:

  • Notice sagging around your chin or jawline due to a loss of muscle tone
  • Have developed loose skin in areas like your chin, mouth, cheeks, or eyes
  • Are seeing wrinkles, creases, or fine lines on your face

Are Facelifts just for older patients?

Not at all. Despite common ideas about face-lifts, they’re not just designed for severe wrinkles and senior clients. Many patients choose to have a facelift surgery before and after 50 years old. Factors like weight loss or weight gain along with lifestyle or natural changes can alter the look and feel of your skin. Some people begin to develop neck bands and laxity in their 30s. Others will see deep laugh lines set in around mid-life, and they don’t want to wait until a more advanced age to intervene. They don’t have to. The mini-facelift or mid-facelift is designed to address those issues with targeted subtlety and can assist people to age gracefully.

Whenever you start to feel that the appearance of your face no longer reflects how youthful you feel inside, it could be time to contemplate a facelift procedure.

Tips for selecting a face lift surgeon

The most crucial step in planning your facelift surgery is to choose a qualified and experienced facial plastic surgeon. When deciding on a surgeon, you should ask yourself the following questions before and after your consultation:

  • Are they qualified?
    Any facial plastic surgeon who performs your facelift must be registered with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Also, consider how much post-secondary education they have and how many years they have been performing facial cosmetic surgery specifically.
  • Do they have expertise working with advanced facelift methods?
    A general plastic surgeon will not necessarily have an in-depth understanding of all the intricacies involved in creating natural-looking and beautiful facelift changes. Your best option is to find someone with specific training for facial surgery and several years of experience.
  • How do your interactions feel?
    Always trust your gut when you meet a potential surgeon. Even a very qualified person may not be right for you if you don’t experience clear, comfortable communication. In your initial consultation, do they make you feel comfortable? Do they allow you to ask questions and present you with several options? Are they honest about the risks or drawbacks?
  • Where will your surgery be performed?
    If your surgeon has hospital privileges, that is an indication of their good standing in the medical community. Many surgeons also operate out of private clinics. If that’s the case, make sure the clinic is accredited with the proper organizations and meets health standards.
  • Are the staff at the clinic friendly and professional?
    How are your requests and appointments handled? How do the staff make you feel? You’ll want to be under the care of a team who is organized, listens to your concerns, and is ready to answer questions.
  • Do you connect with before and after photos of previous patients?
    It’s essential that your aesthetic matches your surgeon’s. Everyone is different, and no two facelift results will be the same, but photos will give you an indication of what your surgeon consistently delivers. Face lift before and after pictures should show optimal results and leave you wanting to know what your post-op picture might look like.

Facelift cost — not the most critical factor

When choosing a facial plastic surgeon, avoid decisions based solely on face-lift surgery cost. Expertise and a higher education level are likely to demand a higher price. Some surgeons advertise deals and surgery “packages” on their website. But it’s never a good idea to compromise quality based solely on cost or to travel far from your home just for a deal. The care you receive throughout your experience and even long after will help ensure a problem-free, beautiful outcome. Because of the high price of facelift surgery, many people prefer to offset that one-time lump sum payment with a medical financing option. Dr. Torgerson is pleased to offer a partnership with medical loan companies like Medicard that can fund some or all your procedure. Inquire about their simple application process when you visit for your consultation.

Toronto facelift surgery preparation: What’s involved?

Once you’ve selected a face-lift expert to perform your surgery, here are some steps you can take to get prepared and avoid frustration:

  • Complete routine medical tests
    To be cleared for surgery, your health will need to be assessed. Usually, you’ll be asked to do a few regular tests with your family doctor, like a physical or blood work.
  • Pre-operative appointment
    The clinic should book you in for a pre-op appointment where you will sign consent forms and address any concerns. Come ready with your own questions, so you don’t leave with lingering doubts. Also, be sure to ask for clarification of anything you don’t understand as your surgeon walks you through the details of your procedure. You’re always welcome to ask and clarify each step of the process so that you feel entirely comfortable and well-prepared.
  • Plan to pause some of your medications or supplements — your surgeon will advise you
    In the period before your face lift surgery, you may need to stop taking vitamins, herbal formulas, and some drugs that are known to be blood-thinners or that affect clotting. Unnecessary bleeding during the operation or while healing can increase risks and prolong your recovery time. Certain over-the-counter drugs like Advil, Motrin, Aleve, and aspirin may not be permitted for a few weeks before and after unless your primary physician advises otherwise. Plan to have a detailed conversation about any medical treatments you have so that your facelift surgeon can ensure your safety.
  • Maintain healthy habits
    It’s recommended that you eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated before and after surgery. If you smoke, stopping at least 6 weeks beforehand is ideal, as nicotine constricts blood vessels and hinders the healthy blood flow that you need to heal well. You’ll want to consume plenty of protein and be in great shape so you can keep up your energy during recovery.

Your surgeon will also give you their own set of guidelines and information about things you can do at home for a comfortable, worry-free facelift recovery.

Contact Dr. Cory Torgerson for a consultation

If you’d like to explore your face lift options, we invite you to contact Dr. Cory Torgerson for a consultation. Dr. Torgerson’s face-lift skills are renowned by patients and colleagues alike. He’s one of the only facial surgeons in Canada to have received his MD, Ph.D., and FRCSC. Dr. Torgerson’s impressive surgical skill combined with an artistic eye ensures that patients receive youthful, natural-looking results from their facelift surgery. Additionally, his safety record and talent with innovative techniques have made him a leader in the field of head and neck surgery. At his Toronto clinic, Dr. Torgerson’s professional, welcoming team will be happy to get you started on your exciting transformation journey and will guide you every step of the way.

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