It's anybody's guess, then, what Joyce's mother will buy the spirited cancer survivor on that birthday 20 years from now.
Want to know what alternatives there are to a surgical facelift? Click here to find out.
Selecting a Plastic Surgeon
Finding a plastic surgeon with a combination of artistic flair plus extensive experience performing facelifts could be the key to achieving a pleasing new look.
You can search for a doctor on our site, or call the American Society of Plastic Surgeons toll-free at 1-888-4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784) to get a list of five board-certified facelift surgeons in your area. If you don't want to take their word for it, friends and other doctors might be able to recommend a talented surgeon. Interviewing several doctors and some of their previous patients can also help you feel comfortable with your choice.
Before getting her facelift, "Joyce" got some recommendations from her internist. But she followed up on the Internet for more information about the doctors' credentials and handiwork.
"You need to do your homework. You pick up these little pamphlets, and here's this perfectly fine looking middle-aged woman who suddenly becomes this babe. Online, you can see pictures of real patients."
Considering the Cost of a Facelift
When asked by a reporter in 1994 what it took to achieve her natural beauty, model Veronica Webb reportedly responded, "Two hours and $200. I could never make myself look the way I do in a magazine."
People considering a facelift should take into account that they'll need to shell out much more than a couple hundred dollars, and out of their own pocket, too. Insurance generally doesn't cover the cost of this kind of cosmetic operation.
Only a doctor can accurately predict the price of an individual's facelift because the cost can vary greatly depending on the techniques used, the part of the country where the surgery is performed and other factors.
