The best person for a facelift is one whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self- confidence in the process. But it can't give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

If you do elect to have the procedure, compare as many different surgeons as you can. This is elective surgery, it will not likely be covered by insurance, so you want to be able to compare fees and services. The more surgeons you talk to, the more you will know and be able to make an informed decision.