Face Lift

Facelift procedures are varied and complex - probably some of the most complex procedures in cosmetic surgery. The standard Facelift addresses the areas below the cheekbones to the jawline. A Necklift, which can be done in conjunction, addresses the area below the jawline, and a mid-face lift addresses the area below the eyes - usually in conjunction with a blepharoplasty operation. Because of the complex nature of the surgery, which particular procedure is best for you is something to be discussed carefully with Mr Price.

Laxity and descent of the facial tissues leads to drooping in the area of the face between the cheekbones above and jaw below. A Facelift not only removes skin but also tightens the tissues beneath in order to reposition the facial skin into a more youthful position.

In a standard facelift operation, an incision is made in front of each ear, travelling upward into the hairline, and downward, under and behind the ear, then upward to the hairline behind the ear (i.e. a J-shaped incision). The skin of the face is lifted, and then the muscle layer underneath pulled tighter using a number of techniques. The skin is then redraped and any excess removed before closing the wound neatly with sutures.

After the operation you will wake up with a bandage around the head and one drain on each side. These are very important since collections of blood under the skin can impair its blood supply and cause serious problems with wound healing. You will have a drip in a vein and, commonly, a button to press for pain relief.

Over the next few days your face will be quite swollen and bruised, both of which tend to recover over a week or two. Occasionally bruising may take longer to wear off. The stitches are removed after a week and the dressings changed for smaller ones.

It is quite common for the skin of the face to feel numb for a number of weeks and, occasionally, months. It is much less common that the nerves supplying the muscles of the face can be damaged, leading to weakness in some of the muscles of the face. This usually recovers over 6-8 weeks but can, occasionally, be permanent. This is probably the most significant long-term risk of the procedure.

If a mid-face procedure is carried out at the same time, there will also be scars along the lower eyelid. Both these and the scars around the neck fade from red to white over a number of months and are usually very well hidden in time. For more information about mid-face lifts and blepharoplasty, see the blepharoplasty page.

A Facelift procedure rejuvenates the face but does not stop your biological clock from ticking, and over time the face will continue to sag slowly, so that this is a procedure that is often repeated after a number (typically 10-15) of years.

To make an appointment to discuss Facelift surgery in Cambridge or Petrborough, please contact Mr Price's secretary.