Candidates must also be in good health, have no serious or active illnesses, no pre-existing medical conditions, and should have reasonable expectations of what can be achieved by surgery. If you plan to lose a significant amount of weight, you should discuss these plans with the doctor before surgery. The duration effect following a facelift is highly variable. A facelift will not stop the aging process. With age, the effects of the facelift will gradually fade. Most patients will experience benefits for 5-10 years. Skin protection and maintaining a stable body weight can influence the durability of a facelift. Avoidance of sun exposure, skin hydration, and stopping habits such as cigarette smoking will enhance the longevity of a facelift.