Gravity and the skin’s natural ageing process can result in loss of skin elasticity, thinning of the skin, folds and wrinkles, loss of volume and sometimes the appearance of gauntness
The facelift commonly involves making small incisions just inside the hairline, following the contour in front of the ear, and continuing under the earlobe to the backside of the ear and to the lower scalp.
The underlying tissue is repositioned, excess fat is removed, the skin is repositioned, and any excess skin is removed.
If the neckline requires attention, an additional incision is made under the chin and the same procedure is again followed.
Fine stitches are used to close the incisions and to reduce any chance of scarring.
A facelift may take several hours or longer depending on whether other cosmetic procedures are completed at the same time.
Preparing for a facelift
In preparation for your surgery we invite you to have an initial consultation with Paul to ensure you are an appropriate candidate for this procedure. Your initial consultation may be via Zoom, especially if you live far away, or you may book straight in for a face to face consultation lasting 45 minutes.
In preparation for your consultation, we will ask you about your reasons for seeking aesthetic surgery, what it means to you and how it will impact upon your life. We will also ask you about your past medical history and social history.
You will be examined, in the presence of a chaperone, and pre-operative photographs will be taken with your consent. For certain procedures, 3D pictures are also taken.
We will ensure that you are fully informed about your procedure in ample time, with a cooling off period for you to digest the information given to you, and time to ask as many questions as you like.
It is not unusual for a patient to have two or three consultations prior to their planned procedure.
Further information relating to your procedure is found on this web page.
The hospital where you will have your procedure will also undertake a pre-operative assessment.
Currently, this will also include a COVID test within 5 days of your procedure.
It is important to stop any medications which thin the blood prior to your procedure. You will be
guided on this. You must also stop any herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements 2 weeks prior to your operation to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Most procedures are performed under a general anaesthetic, or sedation. You must not eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your procedure. Sips of water may be taken up to 2 hours before.
You will be brought in to hospital 1-2 hours prior to your operation, at which point you will be seen by the nursing staff, anaesthetist and surgeon.
It is common practice to complete the informed consent process prior to your hospital visit, and ensure you have been informed about all of the material facts relevant to your surgery. You will be fully informed of the risks and complications of the surgery, and the financial implications of any revision surgery required.
Surgery may be as a day case or you may be required to stay overnight in hospital.
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Facelifts before and after - The Results
Frequently Asked Questions
You could be a candidate for facelift surgery if you experience any of the following:
- You have lost facial skin elasticity
- You have excess skin, folds or wrinkles on your face
- Your skin has become thinner causing it to droop
- Your face has been overexposed to the sun causing and of the above
- You have lost a lot of weight leaving excess skin
Every patient will have undergone a full consultation with Paul so that patients are made fully aware and comfortable before entering into any surgery.
The hospital where your operation is taking place will provide patients with full detailed written instructions on preparing for surgery.
Facelift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia meaning patients are not prohibited to eat or drink 6 hours prior to the operation.
The recovery process can be different depending on the patient.
However, most patients will usually:
- Need to stay in the hospital overnight with drains
- Patients who undergo a facelift have stitch removal after a week and experience some swelling and discomfort lasting 2-3 weeks after the surgery
- Have to avoid exercise or strenuous activities for several weeks after the surgery
- All scars are raised, red, itchy and tender for some time before finally maturing after about a year
The face lift aesthetics
Choosing to undergo a face lift procedure usually entails different desires for men and women in terms of facial contours, definition, and the extent of the surgery. At the time of the consultation, we work closely with patients to clearly identify areas they consider a priority for rejuvenation, beautification, and maintenance, and very importantly, to explore in detail their personal perceptions of beauty and health, so that a sensible age-appropriate treatment plan is produced.
3D imaging consultation
It is difficult to imagine how even subtle changes to the facial contour can have a profound effect on appearance and the advent of 3D-imaging has made a vital difference in the planning process for face lift surgery.
Such imaging can help patients see if the changes they initially prioritise actually result in the effect they desire; as a consequence, the treatment plan may focus on these changes, or alternatively re-direct in order to produce the impact that the patient seeks.
Writing down the points that are of most concern about the appearance provides a useful way of structuring the consultation to target those elements and identify procedures that can achieve such effects.
Types of facelifts include traditional facelifts, mini facelifts, and neck lifts. Each type varies in the extent of the surgery and areas targeted.
A typical facelift surgery can take 2 to 5 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the extent of the changes being made.
Initial recovery typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, during which patients should expect some swelling and bruising. Full recovery, with all swelling and bruising gone and final results visible, can take several months.
As with any surgery, facelifts carry risks such as infection, bleeding, scarring, asymmetry, nerve injury, and anaesthesia complications. However, these risks are rare when performed by a qualified surgeon.
While a facelift can make you look younger, it does not stop the ageing process. The results can last 10 years or more, but individual longevity of the results can vary based on factors like skin type, lifestyle, and overall health.
During a consultation, your surgeon will look at your medical history, discuss your goals, and asses your face. They will explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and answer any questions you may have.
