Yes, my BF had a face lift at age 60. She hated her "turkey gobbler" neck (her observation, not mine, I didn't see it as being all that bad) and general sagging of her face. I went with her to the surgery, also spent the night at the hotel with her helping to change the drainage tubes, etc. because the next morning she had to return to the hospital for a check to make sure she could go home and she didn't want to drive all the way home and back.

The tubes were gross! ugh. But she had a very successful surgery and healed quite quickly, surprising the surgeon. I think my friend prepared for the surgery some months in advance by eating right and taking extra Vitamin E (?). The Vit. E was suppose to help in the healing process.

As for how she looked afterwards. Well, what I remember most is when she turned her head, the sides of her neck would wrinkle . Very obvious to me something had been done, but maybe it was because I knew as this was all a secret to everyone but me. She bought a special skin creme from the surgeon's office that made her skin very smooth. After some time I didn't notice the wrinkling. I don't know if it resolved by itself or what.

Also she had her eye lids done soon after but by a different surgeon. She wanted me to drive her that time too but I couldn't, so her sister-in-law took her.

Anyway, she definitely looked young again and still does after seven years. I myself would not have a face lift. I've always been told I look younger than I am but I don't like the little lines around my upper lips I have now tho! And I'm afraid of Botox. ha

I'm 54 and have had Voluma and Botox and am a big fan. I don't know that I would undergo surgery, though. I've seen videos of surgical lifts and have felt quite squeamish. Just don't know if I could go through that. I understand why a woman would want it done though, even at an advanced age. If a woman wants surgery, can afford it, and has the approval of a competent surgeon, hey, why not. Some may feel this isn't aging gracefully, but I think that happens on the inside. The exterior is just the shell and we each have our own way of beautifying it.

No, I would have laser treatment to get rid of sun damage but that's my limit. Women on both sides of the family have aged gracefully (and well,) and I plan on following in their footsteps.

The point is ~ The woman is 81..Isn't the possibility of something going wrong heightened at that age ? Even if the plastic surgeon says he'll do it, I would probably have a full work-up with a 3rd party not being paid to do the operation.

I think that's what happened to Joan Rivers.

Not at any age, and especially not at that age.

My mother had her eyelids done when she was about 80, but that was to help her vision, not to try to look younger.

ETA It did help her vision some, BTW.

Thank You all,

What happened to Joan is what my first thought was as well snookums, and I believe she will have her eyelids done as well.

We have talked about this years ago, but at this age I just feel different about it for her. She does have medical issues and has been in and out of the hospital this last year, so worrying for something that is just vanity seems a little crazy.

I know the days when I look at myself in the mirror I don't see the beauty as it once was, I just don't think I could go through with having surgery at her age.

At that age you should not be going under general anesthesia unless the procedure is going to improve your quality of life or save your life.

I remembered reading about something to do with anesthesia, advanced age and dementia, so I went looking and found plenty of studies:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261319.php
http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/6/1/37.full

Maybe the rest of us need to plan our cosmetic surgeries sooner rather than later!

Maybe she could have a nice facial and a spa day to help her feel better about herself? A makeover at Sephora and a day getting a new hair do? Something to make her feel better about herself then wait 6 months and see if that helps. Sounds to me that she may be depressed and this is something she thinks will help. Reminds me of my late MIL-she had been through so much with her cancer and she just felt so old and unattractive (mid 60's) even though men just thought she was the cutest thing ever.

I've technically had an upper face lift-I had my eyes done and they had to do a brow lift as well. I was nearly 50, but did have some deep horizontal lines in my forehead from years of lifting my brows to be able to see clearly. They're virtually non-existent. I would love to get my jowls done, but probably never will. I'm very, very fortunate that even thought I've always been a sun worshipper, my skin is in fantastic shape-I have very, very few wrinkles and those are just fine lines. I was blessed with amazing genes that way-my GGrandmother was 100 when she passed and she had skin as smooth as a baby.

I don't think I would. I don't care if other people do though. I have no desire to go under the knife for anything if I don't have to since people are human and mistakes can happen.

I don't think I would ever have a face lift, and no way would I do it at age 81.

My husband's great aunt had an interesting life; she started as a child star, appearing in movies with Shirley Temple. She went to New York and was on Broadway, and briefly dated Frank Sinatra. Then she decided to go back to school and became a therapist. She had a tragic life, though; her only child became an addict and died of AIDS. Her husband became embittered and refused to leave their apartment. When he died she had a new lease on life. She was nearly 80 when she got a facelift, met an accomplished and interesting man, and they traveled the world together in great style. I think that the facelift was a way for her to recapture something of her lost life.

There used to be a tv program on called operation where they filmed an actual operation...appendix removal, knee replacement, etc. The hardest one to watch was by far the facelift. The surgeon peels the skin away from the face like when you separate the skin from the meat of a whole turkey. Then as he's doing the surgery, he's narrating saying, "If I take too much away here, she'll never blink again." "If I cut too deep her, I'll hit a nerve and she'll never smile again." "It's not about what I take out but what I leave behind."

I'd really have to want it before I'd put myself through that.

Especially when you see what can be done with contouring makeup.

And especially when you see bad plastic surgeries on celebrities.

I would however consider having my eyelids done, as my mother did, because they are hooded. Hers eventually impinged on her vision, and she was able to see much better after.

I wouldn't, I'm 77 and feel and look good for my age so I'm one of the lucky ones plus I like my aging face. It has character and shows happy eyes and a positive outlook. To me it looks better than a face that has no expression. I have a friend who had it done at 70 and she looks FANTASTIC. I look old next to her but I don't care lol.

Annie go for it, simple surgery. My sister had hers done and she looks great.

I will have my hooded eyelids taken care of at some point (I'm 50), but would never have a face lift or other elective surgery at age 81. I have always looked younger than my age, but really feel these darn eyelids are aging me very quickly these days.

I wouldn't do it at any age. I don't do any kind of cosmetic stuff but I can see how it would be useful. I just don't want to get hooked on another cosmetic expense. The hair salon is bad enough. Maybe I will treat myself to some little thing some day after I retire and am looking activities to fill my time.

This doesn't sound like a family member, litasart. If it were someone in my family I'd want an approval and conversation (my own) with her primary care physician.

If it were my mother for example, I would have likely stepped in and stopped her. Anesthetics carry greater risk for the elderly, and recovery can be extended over what would take place in someone younger. Very careful consideration of risk vs outcome would have to take place. Your friend has been in and out of hospital for health reasons during this last year? Red flags are popping up all over....

For clarity, Joan Rivers was undergoing larynx and gastrointestinal endoscopy with anesthetic, not a cosmetic procedure, and didn't survive it.

I was at an event recently at a laser center which was offering an annual 20% discount on all procedures and skin care products. The place was packed with women and a couple of men of all ages. I remember thinking that no matter our age, most people want to look their best.

I would definitely go for it at age 81 if my appearance was bothering me enough to consider a procedure. I qualify this by assuming the plastic surgeon has given the o.k., is very experienced and comes highly recommended.

Not sure. I'm not 81 yet. :)

Why shouldn't someone who is 81 years old make their own decisions regarding cosmetic procedures and/or surgeries? Assuming a person is of sound mind, their decisions should be their own. As a friend, I would support whatever my friend wanted to do, regardless of how I feel about cosmetic procedures personally. Whether or not she is at a "suitable age" for surgery is between her and her doctor. I am friends with several women in their 80s, all live alone and take care of themselves, and none of them appear to be even remotely incapable of making their own decisions.

Not everyone is blessed with amazing genes or a naturally younger-than-their-age appearance. A fresh-faced appearance at any age is desirable in our society so I don't fault anyone for wanting that for themselves, even if they need a little or a lot of help to get there. It's easy to age gracefully when you look naturally young!

As far as I know, Joan Rivers' death during surgery was not related to her age.

snookums2

I think that's what happened to Joan Rivers.

**************************************

No

Death

On August 28, 2014, Rivers experienced serious complications and
stopped breathing while undergoing what was scheduled as a minor throat
procedure at an outpatient clinic in Yorkville, Manhattan.[106][107] Resuscitated an hour later, Rivers was transferred to the hospital and later put on life support.[108] She died on September 4 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, having never awoken from a medically induced coma.[109] The New York City Medical Examiner's Office said she died from brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen, and the details of her surgery would be investigated by officials.[110] Rivers was 81 years old.

On January 26, 2015, Melissa Rivers filed a malpractice lawsuit against the clinic and doctors performing surgery on her mother.[118] The suit was settled for an undisclosed amount in May 2016, with the doctors accepting responsibility.[119][120]

A co-worker's mom had a facelift in her mid-70's and it was quite successful. The facelift, renting a $$$ place downtown, etc was her part of her final act in life.

I went for a consult with the nurse practitioner who does the injections at my dermatologist, and it was interesting. She said my aging changes were more like someone mid-40's than mid-50's, so i will hold off for now. OTOH, I do want to look into coolsculpting!

But I don't think having unneeded anesthesia is a good idea at any age.

My SIL had her eyelids done in her early 50's. I didn't like it because I thought her lids were her signature and thought she looked better before the surgery. It obviously bothered her and she is happy she did it so I'm happy for her in that regard. I'm used to it now, but I'd still like to see the face I knew.

I think that's way too old for someone to have elective surgery. My goodness, she's at such a greater risk of complications. I guess it's no one's business but I would certainly try to get her to reconsider. And I would think the healing time would be much longer if she even fully healed. But, this is coming from someone that has to have a butterfly needle for routine blood work and still nearly passes out :o I'm such a sissy!

The other thing that's increasingly scary these days is infection. My GF accidentally cut her hand while prepping vegetables and ended up with a MRSA infection which required a lot of treatment to eliminate. About twice as many people die from hospital infection than do of car crashes. No thank you.

I wonder if MRSA is as common in surgery centers, where PS is typically performed, as in hospitals?

Every person that appears on the front cover of AARP has had a face lift. :)

I have an acquaintance who has been battling a flesh-eating bacteria for several years that he got while in the hospital for hernia surgery. He was in his early 40s and in good health when it happened. He is very close friends with a close friend of mine, so she has kept me updated on his condition. He most likely will never ever recover. I can't tell you how many surgeries he has had, he basically has very little left in his gut from the way she has described it. Though we live in the DC/Baltimore metro area with quality care, his treatment has all been at the Cleveland Clinic so his family has been majorly disrupted (he and his wife have young children). After hearing all that he has been through, and sadly, knowing that he will never get his life back if he even survives this, has really shaken me WRT ever having a medical procedure that isn't absolutely necessary. My FIL died after getting an infection while in the hospital though he had several medical conditions that made any recovery unlikely. Additionally, I've already had one scare in my imediate family when 10 years ago, my then 3 y/o son got a staph infection in the growth plate of his foot. The doctors have no idea where he got it as he had no open wounds, cuts, etc.. First emergency surgery, followed by two months with a PICC line of antibiotics as well as weekly visits to an infectious disease specialist for three months at Childrens' Hospital. Every time I look at the wrinkly skin on my belly from having four children and imagine having a tummy tuck to get rid of it, I remind myself that my health, my life are much more important to me than my physical appearance. I certainly do not judge others who choose to have elective procedures done but no, I would not have a face lift done at 81, nor any time before that.

I had a facelift at 50yo (6 years ago now) and would not suggest one at 80yo. For me, I didn't have wrinkles, but my eyes and jowls were starting to sag. My surgeon, now retired, is world renowned and one of the two original inventors of the microscopic brow lift. I look the same, only fresher and younger. One of my mother's healthcare companions yesterday asked me if I had any children. When I said they were in their late 20s and early 30s, and that I had 2 grandchildren she said she thought I would have toddlers. Most people can't believe I'm a grandmother. It's nice to hear, but I did it for myself. Now if only my hands looked better, but I'm not willing to do fillers (anywhere) especially when they are not longer lasting. My older sister had a facelift (same Dr) after me, and breast implants - he is also well known for breast cancer reconstruction surgery. She was 55yo when she had hers.

If anyone is considering a facelift, or any kind of facial surgery, I would question whether or not they leave in tubes. My Dr did not. Mine was removed the morning after surgery. Recovery was easy. Sleeping in a recliner is best. I was no in pain, but I did swell and bruise a lot (fair skin). One of the benefits is not having a headache for over a year. I could not sleep on either side for awhile, and my left ear has a tiny bit of permanent numbness, but it's not painful and doesn't bother me.

Back to add… I have a family member who works on an acute care hospital floor. I've heard plenty of horrible things from the botched surgeries to routine colonoscopy gone very wrong to the fella who ended up losing a limb due to a cut and bacterial infection from a hot tub. I think worry is a bad thing but I also think it's good to look at all the pros and cons.

I'm 68 and have had Botox, Juvederm and Voluma and had my eyelids done when I was 56 (needed it). I don't think I would have a facelift at all, and especially not at 81. The Juvederm etc softens the aging process but the full facelift is pretty dramatic and I'd think it would be especially at 81. However, if your friend is young looking for her age and in good health and wants to spend her money, I'd support her wishes, keeping in mind her surgeon should be top notch.

Absolutely not! I've been in medicine for 30+ years now. I actually scrubbed for a Ft. Lauderdale plastic surgeon for two years back when I was single and living in Florida. We did face lifts, blepharoplasties, dermabrasion, skin peels, breast augmentations, ear pinnings (pinning back ears that stick out too far), mole and skin cancer removals, etc. By the early to mid-70's , most people's skin has become much thinner. It tears easily. Bruises more easily. It takes longer to heal. They take longer to heal in general. And, many folks in that age range are more susceptible to infection. Add in the possibility of MRSA these days, and there is no way I'd recommend someone I cared about to get a procedure like that at 81 . . . or even 75.

I'd better book my appointment soon before it is too late! :-)

Seriously, though, personally I would not want to schedule any sort of surgery in my 80s unless I absolutely had to. But I would support a friend's wishes if they wanted to do it.

But if one doesn't feel like they are in need of a face lift before they turn 80 (or early 70s to avoid the skin-thinning thing LynnNM mentions), what do they do? Get a "just in case" facelift when they are younger and not really in need of one? Or just live with the "too late for me" repercussions of not aging fast enough to warrant a face lift when it is still "safe(ish)"? When I was younger, I didn't think I'd care as much about my appearance when I got older. I was wrong.

Re a "just in case" facelift - It's my understanding that a face lift isn't a once-and-for-all fix. If it's done when one is younger, a secondary lift will need to be done somewhere down the road to maintain the same appearance. I wonder how much time there typically is between the two.

I can't remember the exact statistics on that, Ida, but I do know that the elasticity in our skin dramatically decreases as we age. So does the underlying layer of fat and muscle that helps smooth our skin over the bones. Did you all know that ear lobes, especially those that are not attached to the side of your face, grow longer as we age, too? I do know that the doc I scrubbed for did have an age cut off for facelifts, but it depended more on the patient's overall general health and the thinness of their skin. I still recall scrubbing for skin cancer excisions on patients in their late-70's and early-80's, which were necessary regardless of age, and experiencing how hard it was to undermine the lesions without the skin tearing too much! No thank you! I think if anyone was that concerned about their appearance at 81, they should perhaps look into Juvederm or Botox instead.

I had a face lift at 60 and it was breezy-perhaps my memory is that shot! I bruised but that healed and the whole thing was uneventful. Had a best doc-a fancy guy. When I was 32, I had bilateral breast reduction surgery for my freaky huge boobs. I love plastic surgery but I have only had those 2 procedures. I understand this woman's desires and believe that if she has a really good doctor and she is in really good shape and the doctor says it is ok, then sure, go for it. some procedures are less challenging than others, too. Maybe she will have some kind of modified lift.

I dont believe that most people give up on their wish to be good looking. My mother, who was in a wheelchair from ms, and in a 'nursing home' would grin with pride when I complimented her on her now good figure. And she fell in love with an old handsome guy, an Alzheimer's married patient, who was out of it. But they beamed at each other, huge smiles. He lovingly pushed her wheelchair and dh and I were astonished!

TWO facelifts before we're too old?? Oh my!

I am so glad I asked this question, I've read all the responses and thank you all for your comments and thoughtfulness. My friend has talked to her family and Dr. has now reconsidered the facelift, she will still be having her eyelids done. Good for her!