How Feasible Is A Facelift For Me?

Q: Dr. Eppley, How feasible would it be for a healthy 70-year-old female to undergo a “turkey neck, jowl, eyelid” lift?  I’m on Medicare and a fixed income. 

A: Feasibility for any type of facial rejuvenation procedure(s) (such as a lower facelift and eyelid lifts) is determined by two factors. First, age is really an irrevelant issue as long as one has good health. There are many 70 year old and older patients that very successfully undergo these procedures without any problems. The oldest patient I have ever done for a facial procedure (necklift) was a 92 year-old man! So as long as you are healthy and have laboratory studies which are normal, your age is not a limiting factor for the surgery. Secondly, there is the affordability of the procedure. These are plastic surgery operations not covered by Medicare. As such, they must be paid for as an out of pocket expense up front before the surgery. These costs would be affected by what type of lower necklift and how many eyelids are being done. For most patients at any age, the cost of the surgery is usually the determining factor of feasibility. I would need to see some pictures of your face to determine what the feasibility numbers would be for you.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana