Facelift

A Face lift is a procedure that involves tightening the muscles around the face and removing any excess skin that may be present, it reshapes the skin on your face and neck which by doing so softens the effects of ageing.

The reasons someone may opt for a Face lift, the effects of gravity and the skin’s natural ageing process can cause your skin to lose elasticity or become thinner, resulting in unappealing folds and wrinkles, a loss of volume and a gaunt appearance. Environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking, exposure to the sun, stress or losing weight can add to the effect.

The procedure

On the day of the procedure you will be admitted to the Private Patients Unit on the morning of the surgery where your consultant will come and discuss your surgical plan along with showing where the inscisitions will be made. Your procedure will be done under a general anaesthetic with surgery taking around 3-4 hours depending on the complexity of the operation.

During the operation an inscision will be made and your skin is then lifted off the cheek then allowing for your facial muscles to be tightened and excess skin to be removed. after this has been performed by your surgeon the inscision will be closed with fine stitches or clips, placing a light bandage around your face to aid the recovery. You will then be taken to to a ward to recover.

Aftercare

After your procedure it may be common to experience some degree of bruising and discomfort around your cheek which will improve each day. Swelling tends to increase over 48 hours but will gradually go down over 2 weeks. It is advised you should not wear make-up for a few days. It is important you rest on the first few nights initially and ensure you do not get the dressings wet but your consultant will advise you on showering.

It is possible to return to work between 7-14 days after your procedure (depending on the type of work you do) however you should partake in no heavy lifting, straining or exercise for 6 weeks. Stitches should be removed around 5-7 days of your procedure, your recovery will be followed by your consultant every step of the way.