Advantages of Face Surgery

The skin loses its elasticity and our muscles slacken with age. The neck and face is often where the effects of ageing first begin to show. As skin loses elasticity and there is loss of volume due to the ageing process, skin can begin to sag, resulting in the appearance of vertical bands, lines and wrinkles. If you lose a lot of weight you may be left with excess skin under the chin and around the neck area too.

The results of face and neck lift surgery will depend on the elasticity of your skin and to what degree it has been affected by age, sun damage and loss of volume. A separate face or neck lift may be sufficient to achieve the results you desire but they can be performed in conjunction and the combination is more likely to give you a more pleasing outcome. As with any cosmetic procedure, your expectations should be realistic.

1. Definitive procedure
2. 2 weeks downtime
3. Long lasting results
4. Facial surgery: local anaesthesia +/- IV sedation

Mini Facelift Procedure

The mini face lift is a minor surgery version of a MACS lift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension). The procedure is carried out under a local anaesthetic and takes approximately 1 hour to perform. An incision is made along the hair line of the side burns and then along the front of the ear which may extend to the ear lobe. The skin is lifted up from the underlying tissue and then tightened using stitches. Excess skin is removed and skin stitches are used to close the wound. Dressings are applied and a compression garment is applied. Oral sedation is used where required.

Full Facelift Procedure

The procedure is usually performed under local anaesthesia with IV sedation but it may be performed under general anaesthetic in hospital. The surgeon will make a surgical cut right around your hairline past the front of your ears. Cuts may also be made under your chin, if the operation includes lifting a sagging jaw line. Your skin will then be carefully separated from the underlying muscles of your face. Excess fat will be removed and the muscles will be tightened. The skin is then lifted up, pulled back and any excess will be trimmed off. It is then stitched back to the line where the cut was initially made.

Face Surgery Aftercare

Once your treatment is complete you will be transferred to the recovery room where you will rest and eat and drink. Usually after 10-15 minutes for a local anaesthesia mini facelift you will be ready to go home. 30-45 minutes if you have sedation.

At Day 1 and Day 7 we will expect you to return for a wound check. Some sutures will be removed after 7 days and your wound checked. The remaining sutures will be removed 10 days to 2 weeks later.

Following surgery it is advisable to keep your head elevated for at least a week (2 days for mini facelift). Scars can get wet within 48 hours but do not rub the wounds. Most bruising disappears in a couple of weeks but residual swelling may last for months. Your appearance is generally presentable in a week for mini facelift and 2 – 4 weeks for a full facelift however healing continues for up to a year.

Your surgeon will see you after six weeks for a follow-up assessment and as often as required until you are fully recovered. It is vital that you attend all necessary postoperative appointments.