Facelift or Rhytidoplasty smoothes loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying tissues and removes excess fat. This procedure can at times be combined with other procedures such as Brow lift, Eyelift and Nose Reshaping.

The facelift is the most effective and safest way to really rejuvenate your face. Some other treatments like Anti Wrinkles Treatment and Fillers are often used in combination.

Benefits

Face lift surgery, or Rhytidectomy, can create a younger appearance and improve one's self-confidence.

The aim of a facelift is to get a well-rested fresh appearance from forehead to neck and to maintain a normal facial expression as well. By removing excess skin, the procedure can result in significant wrinkle reduction. The effects of sun and wind damage can also be diminished through face lift surgery. The facelift results can last for up to ten years. The lower half of the face is best suitable for this kind of procedure.

We have listed below a couple of the main facelift benefits:

• a rejuvenated, fresh look
• a smooth jaw line without jowls
• wrinkle reduction
• excess fat removal
• tightening underlying muscles
• improving one's self-esteem

Operation performance

The operation involves a general anaesthetic but can be performed under sedation in some cases.

A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck. Underlying tissue is repositioned, commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted.

Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.

Most patients will need to stay in hospital for one night, this is necessary to fully observe the first 12 hours after the procedure to ascertain that any excess bleeding is developing.

There are three main surgery approaches: the standard face lift, the mid face lift, and the mini (or "weekend") face lift. The standard face lift is used to improve the entire face, while the mid and mini face lifts address to more specific areas and can require less time to heal.

Therefore, the skin of the face and neck acquires a more natural and rejuvenated appearance. The results of this kind of technique also last longer because the operation is performed within the deep supporting structures of the face and neck.

Risks

Face lift surgery is one of the safest plastic procedures. However, any operation comes with the possibility of complications.

Common Postoperative Complications:

• Reaction to the anaesthesia. Some face lift patients experience nausea and general sickness after receiving anaesthesia; this is a short-lasting side effect and usually disappears completely after a few hours.
• Bleeding and Haematoma. If bleeding occurs under the skin, a haematoma can develop, leaving the area swollen; this may require a new operation to stop the bleeding and remove the blood.
• Infection. It typically occurs in a specific area, but it is quite rare. You will be prescribed antibiotics after the surgery to prevent infections.

Risks Specific to Face Lift Surgery

Apart from the complications inherent in any surgical procedure, risks specific to face lift surgery include:

• Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles . This is usually temporary. The rate is estimated at approximately 0.7% of all facelifts. It usually corrects itself in about 6 months.
• Skin may take longer time to recover - this is common for patients who smoke. Very uncommon is the skin necrosis (death)
• Scars - there will be some small scars, but surgeons will always do their best to hide them
• Crust on the incisions - usually temporary.
• Numbness around the incision areas - this should be temporary. This may include the skin around the cheeks, chin and neck. The feeling is usually recovered in 8-12 weeks, but may take longer for some patients.
• Skin or hair loss ,very infrequent. The hair will re-grow within several months.
• Skin discoloration - this is exceedingly uncommon, but if it happens it will heal in a few months.
• Broken capillaries. This condition may already exist on the cheeks and neck and can be treated with laser.

Besides the risks described above, it is possible that men should shave behind the neck or ears on areas of beard-bearing skin that have been moved.

It may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate and up to 6 months for incision lines to mature.

Life-long sun protection will help to maintain your rejuvenated appearance by minimizing photo-aging or sun damage. In addition, a healthy lifestyle will also help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.

Face Lift Surgeon London & UK, Rhytidectomy, Cosmetic Surgeon London, Dr Maurino Joffily Plastic Surgeon