Question: I am a 53-year-old woman and I am beginning to see loose skin around my neck and jawline. My mother began to have sagging skin at the same age. Am I too young for a facelift? I am concerned about starting to get plastic surgery too soon. Should I wait until it gets worse?
Answer: The question you asked is a very common one. The loose skin is not only hereditary, but influenced by your sun exposure, cigarette smoking and yo-yo dieting history. The loose neck skin (turkey gobbler) and jaw area (jowls) can be corrected with a facelift/necklift procedure. I am operating on younger patients today. The younger and healthier you are, the faster your recovery and the more natural your post-op appearance. The advantage to having surgery sooner is that most people will not recognize that you had a cosmetic procedure performed. The facelift/necklift procedure will enhance the appearance of the face and neck up to the browline. Eyelid and forehead lifts are entirely different procedures from the facelift. It is not uncommon to perform eyelid and forehead surgery at the same time as the facelift/necklift. Cosmetic surgery is not without risk, but the benefit should outweigh the risk. The right time for you to have surgery is when you look in the mirror and want an improvement, and you are willing to accept some potential risk. A consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who performs facial cosmetic surgery should help you to make a decision.
