Question:
I am a 77-year-old woman. I would like to get a facelift but I have several serious health issues. What is the protocol in this situation? Are there some health concerns that would prevent me from getting my facelift? I am most concerned about receiving anesthesia at my age.
Answer:
The Foundation doctors will perform this procedure on people who are in their 70s and, in rare cases, even in their 80s. With that said, each doctor will make their own determination based on the health of each individual patient whether or not they are a safe and healthy candidate for the procedure. Based on your specific medical history, we can be far more exact as to whether or not it makes sense for you personally to proceed with a facelift procedure. In all cases, every patient does have a pre-operative blood test done to ensure everything is in order and, additionally, Dr. Epstein and the other Foundation doctors will regularly request a clearance from your general physician, cardiologist or other doctor based on the health issues and concerns you currently have. If your personal doctor, as well as our doctors, agree that it is safe to move forward we will do so. In some cases it is not possible but in the majority it is.