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What Factors Could Make Me Ineligible for a Facelift?

Dr. Philip Miller

May 29, 2018

facelift surgery candidate Not everyone is a good candidate for plastic surgery, especially a delicate procedure like a facelift.

If you have been denied surgical care by a board certified facial plastic surgeon in NYC, you might want to pause and reassess your goals. If you can, resolve the problem at play before you return for a second consultation. By following these guidelines, you should be able to become eligible for that facelift you wanted.

A Good Facelift Candidate

Facelift surgery is a popular procedure that addresses many of the signs of aging on the face. This surgery involves tightening the sagging skin, lifting and tightening the underlying sheet of tissue, and even removing the fat cells that have collected around the chin and jaw. The surgery is an outpatient procedure often performed under general anesthesia.

The ideal candidate for a facelift should be experiencing some signs of aging, especially around the lower portion of the face. In addition, he or she should be in good overall health, not smoke, and have realistic expectations for the results.

Problem #1 – You’re A Smoker

Smoking is hazardous to your health even without surgery to complicate things. When it comes to smoking and surgery, however, the dangers are much more imminent. The nicotine in cigarettes actually restricts the blood vessels, which can make it difficult for your face to get the appropriate levels of blood (and the oxygen it contains) to heal properly. Smoking has been linked to a number of post-surgical complications, so Dr. Miller recommends that you stop smoking temporarily or permanently for three weeks before and three weeks after any surgery to be safe.

Problem #2 – You Have a Condition That Delays Healing

Some prospective patients must be sidelined because of medical conditions that could interfere with surgery or the healing process. Having an elective procedure can be dangerous with one of these conditions, which may include diabetes, high blood pressure, a bleeding disorder, severe allergies, high cholesterol, and arthritis. Not all of these conditions are prohibitive to surgery, but you will definitely be evaluated on a individual basis to determine if a facelift is the right fir for you.

Problem #3 – You Are Overweight or Obese

Being overweight or obese can lead to problems during and after your facelift surgery. Overweight or obese patients tend to have one or more of the conditions mentioned above, making it difficult to heal properly and increasing the risk of harmful complications. Beyond the immediate health threats, being overweight can also affect your results. If your facelift is completed when you are 50 pounds overweight, for example, losing weight after your surgery might leave your results looking less than stellar. If the composition of your face changes drastically, you won’t be as happy with those final results.

Problem #4 – You Take Certain Medications or Supplements

Yes, it’s true: every medication, vitamin, and supplement you take can put you at risk for an interaction with another medication or something worse. Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding what pills you can and cannot take. Aspirin and other NSAID pain relievers can increase your risk for bleeding during and after surgery. Some all-natural supplements can also cause similar troubles for facelift patients, so stop taking everything for at least one week before your procedure.

Problem #5 – You Have Unrealistic Expectations

Facelift surgery can create dramatic results for the right patient, but even this surgery has its limitations. Before going in for your consultation, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the surgery and what your realistic expectations might be. Take a peek at your facial plastic surgeon’s before and after photos for a good idea of what types of strategies could work best for you. If your expectations are too lofty, your end results are going to be disappointing no matter what they are. Having realistic expectations is not exclusive, yet it could help prospective patients to learn more about this surgery.

Eligible? Plan Your Facelift in New York Now

If you’re eligible for surgery, start your facelift planning process with a consultation. Dr. Philip Miller has specialized exclusively in facial plastic surgery, offering over 20 years of experience and knowledge to his patients.

A recognized expert in facial rejuvenation procedures for both males and females, Dr. Miller has been frequently invited to share his specific techniques with his peers at various national facial plastic surgery meetings. He has been voted among the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007 and has also been named a Top Doctor of New York. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, contact his office located at 60 East 56th Street, Third Floor in New York City, by calling (646) 791-3025.

Dr. Philip Miller

Focusing exclusively on the face for more than two decades, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller blends art and science with innovation and skill to provide thousands of patients with impeccable results. He is known for pioneering the NatraLook methodology for rhinoplasty, facelifts, neck lifts, and other cosmetic procedures for the face.

Settle for Nothing But the Best Facial Plastic Surgery

Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Philip Miller and his team of New York's top rated facial plastic surgery experts provide custom cosmetic treatment plans that include a combination of minimally-invasive techniques and advanced procedures, to help each patient achieve the Aesthetic Confidence® they desire. Our unique NatraFace™ approach to facial rejuvenation includes the following effective procedures:

Eyelid Plastic Surgery

Dr. Miller provides patients with Manhattan's #1 customized care and treatment for smooth, supple skin that brightens the eyes and revitalizes the face. With our NatraFace™ approach, we utilize a combination of effective aesthetic techniques tailored to suit each patient’s needs. We offer:

Rhinoplasty (Nose Jobs)

Dr. Miller and his staff of NYC's best aesthetic specialists offer the NatraNose® process, which is a comprehensive range of minimally-invasive and advanced techniques to achieve natural-looking rhinoplasty results, improve nasal function, and meet the patient’s aesthetic goals. Dr. Miller specializes in nose jobs, nose reductions, non-surgical nose jobs, and more: Adjust the links in these sections as follows:

Skin Care Treatments

Widely acclaimed for our broad range of flawless skincare solutions, Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS and his team of aesthetic specialists offer customized skincare treatment plans to achieve healthy, natural-looking results. As part of our NatraLook™ process, the following procedures may be performed individually or in combination with more advanced surgical treatments for optimal rejuvenation.

Male Plastic Surgery

Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience working with male and female patients. He specializes in facial plastic surgery and is recognized as an expert in facial rejuvenation procedures. Utilizing the most advanced surgical techniques, Dr. Miller can maintain or enhance masculine features while producing the most natural-looking results.

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Aesthetic Confidence®

The Plastic Surgery Podcast with Dr. Philip Miller

Tune into The Plastic Surgery Podcast, hosted by facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller. Dr. Miller is here to answer your questions, de-mystify plastic surgery, and help you feel more knowledgeable and empowered about any procedure performed at our center.

  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 44: My First Time

    8 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 43: Top 10 Reasons Not To Get A Rhinoplasty ( Plastic Surgery)

    20 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 42 : Osteomas & Lipomas

    11 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 41: All Ears Considered!

    8 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 40: Infrared Light Therapy

    6 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 39: Beauty, the Plateau

    6 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 38: Botox and Dermal Fillers

    3 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 37: Cost of Rhinoplasty

    1 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 36: Different Types of Nasal Surgeries

    3 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 35: Do You Have to Break the Nose for Rhinoplasty?

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 34: Do You Have to Stay Overnight After Having a Rhinoplasty?

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 33: Don't Have a Rhinoplasty!

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 32: Endonasal or External

    1 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 31: Are You a Candidate?

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 30: In The Office

    17 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 29: Can My Nose be Made Smaller?

    4 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 28: Can't Breath Through Nose

    3 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 27: Chin Implants - Mentoplasty

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 26: Columellar Struts

    23 sec
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 25: Common Terms

    5 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 24: Connection Between Facial Resurfacing and Tattooing

    5 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 23: The Sooner, The Better?

    4 min
View all Episodes

Plastic Surgery w/ Dr. Miller

If you’re thinking about getting a lift, nip, or tuck, this app is for you. It’s the most comprehensive pocket encyclopedia of plastic surgery terms, before and after photos, and visualization tools to help you really know what to expect from a procedure, including seeing potential results on your own photo. This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices.

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