A Facelift After 80 Is Possible

The facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure often sought by patients between the ages of 50 and 70. This is when the signs of aging really come on full-force, but it is also a time of life wherein they are maintaining a highly visible appearance in social and professional circles. This is what makes the procedure so popular among those of this age set. Yet, as people are living longer and longer lives, individuals are turning to cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance well past 70 and even 80. When you have an additional 20 or 30 years of life to enjoy, there is no reason not to regain some of your youthful appearance.

Having a facelift after the age of 80 is a completely viable option. However, as with all procedures that are elective in nature, patients need to understand the risks they take on with this one. These risks are compounded somewhat when the patient is older.

When an older individual is considering this procedure, the plastic surgeon will need to do a thorough evaluation of the patient's health. Elderly individuals often have other conditions, like heart conditions or diabetes, that make surgery more risky for them. In a healthy individual, the risks are not much more elevated than they are in a younger patient, but the chance that the patient has an outstanding condition is higher, so a thorough evaluation is necessary.

As part of this evaluation, the physician will take a close look at the health of the patient's skin. If the patient has lost substantial tissue elasticity, has a lot of sun damage, or easily bruises, then healing may be difficult. The patient needs to have fairly "young" skin to minimize scaring and aid in healing. 

Another consideration for an elderly facelift patient is the age and health of the individual who will be responsible for patient care after the surgery. The primary care giver needs to be completely able to take care of the patient, because the surgery is an outpatient one and the patient will require some careful attention in the first few days after their operation. If an elderly spouse is the primary caregiver, then the surgeon will need to make sure that he or she is capable of performing the care tasks required, or that there is someone else in the family who can step in for a few days or weeks.

Patients will need to stop most medications 10-14 days prior to surgery. For elderly patients who have an extensive list of medications, this determination needs to be made with the aid of their medical doctor. They should not have the surgery if stopping their medications could put them at risk for a fatal condition. Blood thinning medications, including over the counter options like aspirin, are some of the most important to stop before an elective procedure.

The bottom line is that a facelift after 80 is absolutely possible, provided the patient is healthy enough to warrant the risks associated with an optional procedure. If you are considering reclaiming your younger years through surgery, find a doctor who specializes in facelifts and schedule a consultation.