It takes courage to see a plastic surgeon. You have no doubt seen media coverage of plastic surgery and facelift storylines graphically presented on prime time television. Many of my patients ask about celebrities who had plastic surgery. They don't want to look artificial. They are worried about the reactions of friends and family. They feel guilty about such an indulgence and spending on themselves. Yet, they still work up the nerve. The fact that patients arrive at my doorstep despite all of these influences is evidence of the profound unhappiness that motivates them, an unhappiness that faces them every time they look in the mirror. One older patient of mine who lived alone confided that she had all the mirrors in her house taken down. I thought she was kidding at first, but she was serious.

This procedure is used to improve the tone of the face. Hereditary factors and aging cause gradual relaxation of the facial tissues. The skin loses elasticity and gravity accentuates the sagging of the facial tissues. Most of my patients observe this process over a period of several years. Others say it seemed to happen almost overnight. They may pull the skin back when looking in the mirror to see the changes.

There is no specific age that one should use in determining when to have a facelift. My youngest patient was 33 and oldest 85. A very common age is around 50. Most women are noticing jowls at this age. Also, it may be a watershed time in their lives with the reality of being middle age with grown-up kids and, perhaps, finally the opportunity to do something for oneself rather than for others. But, there is no ideal age for a facelift and likewise, no specific reason to delay the surgery until a certain numerical age.