A facelift is an aesthetic procedure which makes the face and upper neck area appear more youthful. The experienced plastic surgeons who practice at 58 Queen Square work to the highest clinical standards, achieving excellent outcomes for their patients.
A facelift is very effective in reversing the signs of ageing and making you look more youthful. Nobody wants to look like they’ve had a facelift, and most modern facelifts now carefully manipulate the deeper facial tissues and re-drape the skin to produce a fresher, natural, more youthful appearance.
The facelift procedure
There are various types of facelifts and the extent of surgery you need will depend upon the pattern of the skin laxity, whether it be in the neck, cheek or jowl area. The experience of your surgeon will be your guide but you have the ultimate choice and you will not be pressured into more surgery than you wish. Neither will your surgeon agree to more than would be appropriate.
During your operation, you will be looked after by a specialist anaesthetist who will look after you during the procedure and your recovery until you are discharged. On average, the procedure usually takes two to four hours, your consultant will be able to give you a more specific estimate of how long it should take.
The procedure will all be completed under general anaesthetic and will involve a number of unobtrusive incisions that allow the surgeon to lift and tighten the skin and underlying tissues. This will then be re-draped and sutured in its new place to leave you with a fresh appearance. When you come around from the surgery, you will likely find your head will be wrapped in a very bulky bandage and you will possibly have drains in place. But there’s no need to worry; this will have been greatly reduced by the time you are discharged.
Recovery time
Once you have recovered from the anaesthetic, you will be encouraged to sit up in bed which can help to reduce swelling. You will most likely be in hospital overnight so your team can keep a close eye on you. Your face is likely to feel tender, any pain should be controllable using an analgesia. Your specialists will give you information on an aftercare regime to help you to achieve the best possible results and optimum recovery time.
Types of facelift
SMAS facelift (mini or full). Your surgeon will make an incision on both sides of your face in the hairline around your ears. They will cut through the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), a deeper layer of tough tissue, lifting and tightening it. Your surgeon will then tighten the skin towards your ears and remove any excess skin
MACS facelift. During a ‘Minimal Access Cranial Suspension’ facelift, a smaller incision is made behind the ear. Your surgeon will tighten the SMAS layer with special suspension stitches to avoid cutting underneath it.
Prices
Local anaesthetic – from £5,380
General anaesthetic – from £10,860
Facelifts are offered by our surgical cosmetic clinic, Bristol Plastic Surgery. You can read more about facelift surgery on their website.
