A face lift rejuvenates the face and neck by removing excess skin and replenishing the youthful volume of the face by contouring the underlying facial soft tissue structures, restoring smoother and more pleasing contours.
You will first see Mrs Harper-Machin for an in depth consultation to determine your aesthetic goals. You should also expect to answer questions about your general health and medications. Aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin and other blood thinning medications can cause increased bleeding. If you are taking any of these medications you may be asked to stop them if it is considered safe to do so. If you smoke or use an e-cigarette you will be asked to stop completely at least six weeks prior to surgery.
Mrs Harper-Machin will work with the natural vectors of the face, to remove excess skin and reposition the facial tissues to achieve a refreshed appearance that still looks natural. The operation begins, once you are asleep, by making incisions within the sideburn area of the hairline and within the natural contours both in front of and behind the ear.
The skin of the face is elevated to reveal the underlying facial support structures known as the SMAS (Superficial MusculoAponeurotic System). This layer is elevated and tightened to improve facial contours and the skin re-draped over the top, removing excess skin as required to achieve a youthful, but not unnatural result.
Fat grafting can be combined with facelifting to further improve some of the deeper folds / lack of volume that is not fully corrected by a facelift.
Facelift can also be combined with eye lifting techniques as well.
You should arrange for someone to drop you off at the hospital and you should expect to stay overnight. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and normally takes approximately 4 hours. When you wake up you will have two small plastic tubes, one on each side of the face, draining away any fluids that might otherwise accumulate. These will be removed on the morning of your discharge.
The wound edges are sealed with a glue type dressing and all stitches are dissolving. You will be able to shower and wash your hair gently 48 hours after your operation.
Initially your face will be swollen and bruised after surgery. The bruising is likely to be more pronounced in your lower face and neck. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry caused by variance in swelling and bruising, which is normal.
Propping yourself up on several pillows at night will help with the swelling.
Initially your face will be swollen and bruised after surgery. The bruising is likely to be more pronounced in your lower face and neck. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry caused by variance in swelling and bruising, which is normal.
Propping yourself up on several pillows at night will help with the swelling.
Depending on the extent of your facelift and your general health, you should expect to return to non-strenuous work two to three weeks after surgery. In most cases you will be able to resume most of your normal activities, including exercise after four weeks. You may continue to experience some intermittent discomfort and swelling for up to six weeks.
The facelift procedure intends to provide a natural, attractive and more youthful appearance. The results can be excellent and the scars are usually inconspicuous.
The healing process does take time, the incisions should be healed within two weeks, the swelling and bruising can take up to six weeks to settle and you should expect additional settling, improvement in sensation and minor changes up to six months following a facelift.
A facelift should last for many years, but gravity and the effects of ageing will eventually once again take their toll. Facelift surgery can be repeated if required.