Combining Facelifts With Other Surgeries

Every facelift is one-of-a-kind, since every human face is unique. In the case of a facelift, the best cosmetic surgeons always discuss with the patient what other procedures could be combined to give a more complete facial rejuvenation. A lot of variables go into such a decision:

• The patient's age
• Overall health
• Any previous surgeries
• The patient's goals in having facial surgery
• Budgetary considerations
• The patient's schedule

From a medical perspective, it's often easier and simpler to do several procedures together, once the patient is on the table. In the case of facelifts, for example, there could also be:

• Eyelid surgery
• A brow lift
• Neck liposuction
• Platysmaplasty
• Cheek implants
• A chin implant

Recovery time would adjust accordingly. In some cases it might be better to do each procedure separately. The issue would be discussed beforehand, and the various pros and cons laid out clearly.

Dr. Rusca at Aesthetic & Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons, P.C. in Atlanta, Georgia, is a big believer in patient education and careful preparation before any surgery is carried out. His website explains his philosophy in this regard, and also gives a great many Before and After photos, for specific procedures, which help a prospective patient understand how his or her own face could change after a facelift.

Dr. Rusca does do facelifts for both men and women. Men are coming in increasing numbers for cosmetic surgery these days. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in its 2006 statistics, puts nose reshaping as the top male cosmetic procedure (85,000), with eyelid surgery second (37,000). In 2005, nose reshaping was also the top cosmetic procedure (99,680) with eyelid surgery third (32,988). Dr. Rusca's website lists male and female cosmetic procedures separately, with different sets of Before and After photos for males and females.