Facelifts Explained with Dr. Brian Eichenberg

What is a Facelift?

With a facelift, you are literally lifting the face; pulling things back up. Gravity pulls the skin down over the years and if you lose a lot of weight and gain a lot of weight, that can stretch the skin. A facelift is meant to correct those things and make people look younger.

Transformations and Self Perception

“People tell me all the time, 'I feel so much younger than I look,' or they say, 'People ask me if I am angry or tired and I am not—but this is the way I look,'" says Dr. Eichenberg. “A facelift can help people feel more confident about themselves. Sometimes, it helps them stay competitive in the workplace." There are a lot of good reasons to consider a facelift, he says.

“I love my job. Plastic surgeons make people feel better about themselves every day. There is nothing wrong with aging gracefully and not having surgery but it is something that can help you feel better about yourself," he says.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Anyone who wants to look younger can be a candidate for this surgery.

Both men and women can benefit from a facelift but 90 percent of the procedures Dr. Eichenberg does are on women. Here are the benefits of facelifts:

• It gets rid of extra skin.
• It gets rid of jowls.
• It gets rid of turkey neck.

How to Find the Right Plastic Surgeon to Perform Your Facelift

Here are some questions to ask when you interview a plastic surgeon.

• How long have you been doing this?
• Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?
• What kind of recovery am I going to have?
• What is going to happen on the day of my surgery?
• If there is a problem, what are the most common things that could happen and how often do they happen?
• When can I go back to work and/or resume normal activities?

“I think it is very important for the patient to tell their doctor, 'This is what I want to look like. These are my goals," Dr. Eichenberg says. “I tell patients to bring pictures of themselves from 10 to 15 years ago because usually, this is what people want to look like."

Here's What to Expect After the Procedure

• The swelling should go down after about a week.
• People are usually in pain for a few days and their faces are swollen.
• Most people need to take a week or two off from work and you'll need some help at home while recovering. You might still have some bruising on the face after a week.
• Make sure you're stocked up on food and necessities since you won't want to go anywhere for a few days. “Great nutrition is an important part of recovery," says Dr. Eichenberg.
• A week after surgery your doctor might clear you for light exercise.
• You'll likely have an appointment with your surgeon the day after surgery and a week afterward when they'll take out the sutures. By then you can wear makeup and wash your hair. Your surgeon will likely want to see you a few months later, too.

CareCredit Financing for a Facelift

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for facelifts and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Brian Eichenberg

Dr. Brian Eichenberg grew up in Michigan and attended Grand Valley State University, in Western Michigan. He went to Georgetown Medical School in Washington, D.C. where he met his wife who is also a medical doctor. Dr. Eichenberg completed his residency in plastic surgery at Loma Linda University and started practicing plastic surgery in Southern California 20 years ago. He even helped separate Siamese twins right after birth when he was at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta, Calif.

Author Bio

Diana Kelly Levey is a freelance journalist, content marketing writer, and author with more than 15 years of experience covering health and wellness.