Facelift Surgery | London Facial Surgeons

WHY CONSIDER FACELIFT SURGERY

Ageing is inevitable and early signs are usually noticed in the face. The common areas of concern are forehead creases, crow's feet around the eyes, deep furrows around the mouth, a distorted jaw line with jowl formation, a double chin and folds in the neck.

These changes often do not reflect our younger inner spirits and persona. Rhytidectomy, or a facelift, as it is commonly called, is an operation that addresses these changes to a variable degree and helps to restore some of the changes related to ageing. This is the reason why the facelift is becoming popular.

AM I A SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR FACELIFT SURGERY?

A facelift is safe when performed in the right setting. There is no ideal age group for facelift surgery but good general health including psychological stability and realistic expectations are prerequisites.

BENEFITS OF FACELIFT SURGERY

A facelift improves the appearance of the face by correcting deep wrinkles and folds. The removal of excess fat and loose skin at the jaw-line and neck gives definition to the cheeks and re-contours the chin and neck.

LIMITATIONS OF FACELIFT SURGERY

A facelift will not stop or reverse the aging process, nor will it completely remove deep wrinkles and skin folds. It does not get rid of fine wrinkles, acne scars or pigmentation problems such as age spots.

CONSULTATION FOR RHYTIDECTOMY

During the consultation all your cosmetic concerns will be addressed in detail. The skin and structure of the face will be examined and discussed. Digital photographs and morphing software is used to aid this process. Individual risks - general health, anaesthetic risks, risks of poor healing and unfavourable scars, effects of smoking, bleeding tendencies will be assessed. Both mental and emotional attitudes will also be considered because a realistic attitude is crucial to the success of the surgery.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

These include skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity and amount of volume of tissue, individual healing, and basic bone structure. Adjunctive procedures such as chin and cheek augmentation, fat transfer, liposuction, laser/IPL resurfacing may have to be performed. Pattern of hairline, previous scars will affect the outcome and will be discussed during consultation.

HOW IS RHYTIDECTOMY PERFORMED?

Incisions vary depending on the individual patient and the desired outcome. Generally speaking incisions are made starting at the temple, move around the ear and are hidden behind the ear and in the hair. Please remember that in all cases cuts are placed to follow the natural skin creases for optimal camouflage.

After lifting the skin the underlying muscle and tissues are tightened and secured. Excess skin is trimmed and the incision is closed with fine stitches and/or clips. In some cases, a drainage tube may be inserted which is usually removed the next day.

POSTOPERATIVE RECOVERY

Some mild pain and discomfort is common immediately after surgery. The dressing and drainage tube is removed the next day before discharge from the hospital. During the recovery period we would like you to have the head elevated when lying down, avoid as much activity as possible, and to report any undue discomfort. All stitches and staples are usually removed within five to 10 days following surgery.

Recovery usually takes two to three weeks following which normal activity may be resumed. Scars become less noticeable with time and are easily disguised in natural skin creases, by the hair, or, in persistent cases, by makeup until total healing occurs, which may take up to eighteen months.

Some relaxation of tissues is inevitable following surgery which relates to scar maturation and the ongoing ageing process.

COMPLICATIONS

Complications are infrequent but include bleeding, infection, unfavourable scarring, nerve damage, and minor cosmetic irregularities. All these will be discussed in detail during the consultation.