Oklahoma City surgeon outlines what patients should know before facelift surgery

Dr. Scott Shadfar is using a new explainer to walk patients through facelift surgery, from consultation and anesthesia to recovery and candidacy. The guidance matters for people weighing facial rejuvenation options and trying to understand what the procedure can and cannot do.

Why it matters: - Facelift surgery is designed to address visible aging in the lower face and neck, including sagging skin and jowls. - Understanding candidacy, technique and recovery can help patients decide whether a facelift, neck lift or combination procedure fits their goals. - The procedure can shape expectations around results, downtime and whether surgery is appropriate for a patient’s health and anatomy.

What happened: - Dr. Scott Shadfar, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Oklahoma City, published guidance on what patients should know before facelift surgery. - The release says patients should understand the process from the initial consultation through recovery before moving forward. - A facelift is typically performed under deep sedation or general anesthesia. - Patients considering the procedure are encouraged to seek an in-person consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.

The details: - The consultation allows a surgeon to evaluate facial anatomy, skin quality and aesthetic concerns. - That visit also gives patients a chance to discuss goals and determine whether a facelift, a neck lift or both is the better option. - Good candidates are usually non-smokers in generally good health who have visible aging in the lower two-thirds of the face. - Realistic expectations are important before surgery. - Surgeons typically use small incisions around the ears to access deeper facial tissues. - If the neck muscles need tightening, an additional small incision may be made under the chin. - The extended deep plane SMAS rhytidectomy resuspends the muscular and fascial layers of the face rather than simply pulling the skin. - That approach allows the skin to be redraped without excess tension and can help avoid an overly pulled or "wind-swept" look. - Patients usually wear a light compressive head wrap for the first 24 hours after surgery. - The surgical team then examines and assesses the incisions. - Swelling and bruising are common in the days after surgery and generally resolve within the first few weeks. - Recovery can take longer for patients undergoing combination procedures. - Many patients resume makeup and skin care after 12 to 14 days. - Most patients return to desk work in about two weeks. - Exercise and other exertional activity can usually resume with restrictions after about three weeks. - Outcomes depend on individual factors including skin quality, anatomy and overall health.

Between the lines: - The release frames facelift surgery as a procedure that depends heavily on patient selection and surgical planning, not just the operation itself. - The emphasis on consultation and realistic expectations suggests the main value for patients is matching the procedure to the right level of aging and facial structure. - The discussion of technique reflects a broader shift toward more natural-looking results and less tension on the skin.

What's next: - Patients interested in facial rejuvenation are being steered toward an in-person evaluation before deciding on surgery. - Dr. Shadfar’s practice says he is available for interview upon request. - More information is available through the practice website, Facebook and Instagram.

The bottom line: - Facelift surgery can deliver lower-face and neck rejuvenation, but the best outcomes depend on candidacy, technique and a recovery plan patients are willing to follow.