What is Facelift?

Facelift and Neck lift

Also known as Rhytidectomy, facial surgery is a procedure which can make the face and neck look younger and fresher by tightening or removing muscle and tissue. As we age, our facial tissue and muscles lose their elasticity and the skin may start to sag. Deep creases may develop between the mouth and nose, flabby jaw lines may form and fat deposits around the neck can build up. Additionally, factors like sunlight and stress may add to these effects. Face and neck lift, technically known as Rhytidectomy, removes excess skin and fat and tightens muscle and tissue leaving especially the lower face firmer and smoother.

The Procedure

A face and neck lift is normally performed under general anaesthesia which means you are asleep throughout the procedure and will not feel any pain. However, many methods, depending on the individual are available. The most common approach starts with an incision at the hairline above the temples, going down along the front of the ear, continuing behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. There may be another incision under the chin if the neck needs some sculpting as well. The surgeon will then separate the skin from fat and muscle and cut or suction out fat to sculpt the face. Then skin and muscle are then tightened by pulling them back and up. The endoscopic method is becoming more popular and uses a few tiny incisions through which small endoscopes may be inserted. The straw-like instrument has a camera on the top, enabling the surgeon to see tissue and muscle beneath the skin on a TV screen. Another endoscope is used to tighten the skin by cutting out excess fat and tissue. Lastly, stitches and metal clips may secure the result. This method is particularly used with younger patients who do not have too much excess skin to be removed. With both methods a bandage may be applied to prevent swelling and to promote the healing process.

The recovery period for Face Lifts

You may experience some swelling, bruising and soreness after the surgery but any discomfort may be controlled with medication. Keeping your head in an elevated position for a couple of days may also reduce swelling. If any tubes have been placed to drain off blood or other fluids, they may come out one or two days after the surgery and the bandage may also be removed after that time or a little later. While facial stitches may come out between five to ten days after the surgery, the ones in the hairline may be removed later as the scalp may take a little longer to heal. However, healing takes time and the process differs from one patient to another. In any case you may expect to be up and about after one to two days and it may take another 10 to 14 days until you can return to work. Meanwhile, scars may remain firm and pink for around six weeks until they finally start fading away. You may also experience some numbness in the face but it normally disappears after a few weeks to months. Some swelling and bruising may remain for a few weeks but by the third week you may feel much better. Your surgeon will give you advice on how to resume your normal activities and what to be careful of. These are likely to include refraining from strenuous activity as well as from drinking alcohol.

What to bear in mind

When considering any surgical procedure, you may be required to stop smoking and drinking alcohol several weeks before and after the surgery as these habits can contribute to poor blood circulation and fluid retention and may also slow down the healing process. Like with all procedures and even with the most experienced surgeon, some risk is involved including infection, reaction to anaesthesia or haematoma. You may also bear in mind that your hair around the temples may be thin after surgery but normal growth usually resumes after a couple of weeks. Additionally, the surgery may leave some scars but they won’t really be visible because of their position at the hairline. Patients with very short hair may therefore choose to let it grow in order to hide the scars better after the procedure.

How much will a Face Lift cost?

Costs may vary greatly depending on your surgeon, the hospital and if you are staying overnight. The price may range between £2500 to £5000 in the UK.

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