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Facelift
What does the procedure involve?

There are many different types of face lift and it is an evolving field in plastic surgery with new approaches and techniques being presented regularly. Some of the most complex techniques are designed to improve the longevity of the results, without compromising the initial effect. However, these are normally associated with a higher complication rate and a prolonged recovery period.

The operation is normally carried out under general anaesthetic but can be performed under local anaesthetic with light sedation depending upon your circumstances.

A classic facelift uses an incision above the hair line at your temple, extending down just in front of your ear and around and behind your earlobe. Through this incision, the cheek skin is elevated and the deeper layers of the face are exposed. The deep layer of tissue known as the SMAS, which contains the facial muscles, is elevated and secured in front of and behind the ears. Fat along the chin and jaw line can be removed at the same time. The platysma muscle of the neck may be tightened or divided to improve the neck contour and eliminate the vertical banding of the skin on the neck. Finally, the skin is re-draped and any excess is removed before the wound is stitched closed.

Other forms of facelift such as the limited access (MACS) facelift involve shorter incisions principally confined to the front of the ear. The SMAS layer is elevated with internal sutures. This procedure is best suited for the younger patient with little or no skin excess, or when the purpose is to refresh the mid-face only.

Drains may be placed beneath the cheek skin to remove any excess fluid and these are normally removed on the day following surgery. Most surgeons will also bandage the face to minimise bruising and swelling. These bandages will be kept on for one or two days and the sutures are removed at four to eight days.

The overall effect of a facelift is similar but not identical to manually lifting your skin while you are looking in a mirror. The purpose of the operation is to turn back the clock. We aim for a natural refreshed appearance and not a tight, pulled or operated look.

A facelift can be combined with other operations such as an eyebrow lift, an eyelid reduction, fat transfer and lip enhancement to help achieve a better overall result.

 

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