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Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy)

Want to look younger? A facelift will reduce the signs of ageing in your face and neck. Book an appointment with a specialist online today.

Shot-of-a-beautiful-young-woman-getting-her-face-analysed-by-a-nurse
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure to create a more youthful appearance. During the procedure, the skin and soft tissues of your face are lifted and pulled back to reduce sagging skin and folds in the lower half of your face creating a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private facelift surgery with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.

This page explains what facelift surgery is, what happens during the procedure and what to expect during your recovery.

The cost of this procedure depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

You may decide to have facelift surgery if you are not satisfied with your facial appearance and would like to look younger.

As you get older, factors such as gravity, lifestyle choices, stress, and sun exposure can take a toll on your face. The skin and soft tissues of your face may be pulled down and begin to sag, making you look older. This may make you feel self-conscious and unhappy with your appearance.

A facelift will help to reduce the signs of ageing in your face and neck. It is particularly beneficial if you have:

  • Sagging skin on your face
  • Deep folds or creases between your nose and the corners of your mouth (sometimes called marionette lines)
  • Drooping skin on your cheeks and/or jaw (known as jowls).
  • A double chin, loose skin, or extra fat in your neck

The main benefit of facelift surgery is a younger appearance. This can make you feel more confident and improve your self-esteem.

Some benefits of facelift surgery include:

  • Targets many signs of ageing such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles and creases, a double chin and excess fat in one procedure
  • Tightens saggy jowls, and recontours your jaw and upper neck
  • Can be performed in combination with other cosmetic procedures such as a brow lift, or eyelid surgery, eliminating the need for several procedures and reducing recovery time
  • Invisible surgical scars - facelift scars are designed to be invisible and are usually concealed along the hairline or behind the ear
  • Natural-looking results - modern-day techniques allow a natural-looking result and do not result in the overstretched or "windblown" look of some older facelift procedures

If you want to achieve a younger appearance but are not yet ready to have a surgical procedure, non-surgical alternatives are available.

Some alternatives to facelift surgery include:

  • Botox - works by preventing your facial muscles from receiving signals from nerves, which relaxes the muscles, and gives your skin a softer, firmer appearance. The results last for between four and six months
  • Chemical peels - help to reduce age spots, blemishes, and uneven pigmentation as well as reducing wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes, nose, and mouth. The results normally last for a few months.
  • Injectable fillers - give your skin a fuller appearance and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Results last up to a year.
  • Micro-needling - uses tiny needles to stimulate the healing process and increase your skin's production of elastin and collagen
  • Laser skin treatment - uses laser energy to trigger your skin's natural healing process and the regeneration of new skin, resulting in younger, smoother skin, and reducing scarring, discolouration, wrinkles, and fine lines.
  • LED (light-emitting diode therapy) - uses different coloured lights to treat scarring, discolouration, rosacea, inflammation, and acne. It can also help to reduce wrinkles.
  • Ultherapy - is a type of non-surgical facelift that uses ultrasound waves to heat tissue below the skin and trigger the production of collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and lifting saggy skin on your neck, chin, and brow. The procedure can be repeated every six to twelve months.
  • Threadlift - a new type of non-surgical facelift where thin threads are inserted under your skin and pulled back to lift and smooth the skin on your face. The results last around 18 months at which point the threads dissolve and are absorbed by the body.

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant plastic surgeon, a doctor specialising in plastic and cosmetic procedures.

Your consultant will ask you some questions about your general health, medical history, and any medications you are taking. They will also ask you about your reasons for wanting to have a facelift and your expectations from the surgery.

Your consultant will examine your face and neck including your skin, bone structure, fat distribution, and face shape. They may take photographs of your face from different angles. This will help your consultant decide on the best type of facelift for you.

At the end of your appointment, your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you and what results you can expect to achieve.

If a facelift isn't a suitable procedure for you, your consultant will discuss some alternative treatments.

Why is this first consultation so important?

At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is very important as it's where you first meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. Your first appointment is also where we get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. Deciding to have a facelift is a big decision and it is important that you are fully informed about what to expect before, during and after the procedure. Please take the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your initial consultation.

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your facelift. If there's anything you're not sure about, or if you have any questions about how to prepare for your surgery, speak to your consultant or call the hospital for advice. Being well-prepared before your surgery will help to ease any anxiety you may have as well as allow your surgery and recovery to go more smoothly.

Before your facelift surgery, tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have, and any medications, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements you are taking.

Your consultant may tell you to stop taking some medications such as blood thinners, some herbal supplements, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before your facelift. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after your surgery.

Your consultant may ask you to apply certain products to your skin before your surgery.

You will not be able to eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of your operation.

What lifestyle changes can I make before my surgery?

Ensuring that you are in the best possible health before your surgery reduces the risk of complications and may help to speed up your recovery.

To make sure you are as healthy as possible before your surgery:

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
  • If you smoke, try to stop at least eight weeks before your surgery
  • Avoid alcohol for a few days before and after your surgery. Alcohol thins the blood and can increase the risk of bleeding
  • Take regular exercise

Do I need to prepare my home for after my facelift surgery?

For the first few days after your surgery, you will need to rest at home. We recommend that you arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 48 hours after you are discharged from hospital.

To make your recovery easier:

  • Prepare some healthy, single-portion meals that can be easily heated up
  • Keep things you use often such as the TV remote control, a book, your medications, and your phone within easy reach
  • Do household chores like shopping and cleaning before your surgery
  • Have a supply of clean tops such as shirts that you can wear without putting them over your head

Facelift surgery is performed under general anaesthetic which means you'll be asleep for the procedure. The operation normally takes between two and three hours. Your consultant will decide on the best type of facelift for you depending on your age, general health, skin condition, lifestyle, and expectations for treatment.

There are several types of facelift surgery including:

Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System (SMAS) facelift

The SMAS facelift is a popular type of facelift that lifts and tightens the middle and lower parts of your face. It treats any sagging skin around your cheeks, jowls, and neck, as well as the deep creases at the sides of your mouth.

During an SMAS facelift:

  • Your consultant will make an incision (cut) on both sides of your face
  • They will separate your skin from the SMAS layer (muscles and fibrous tissues) of your cheeks and neck
  • Your consultant will cut beneath the SMAS layer, lifting it upwards and tightening it
  • They will tighten your skin upwards towards your ears and remove any excess skin
  • The incisions are closed with sutures hidden beneath the hairline

Minimal Access Cranial Suspension (MACS) facelift

This is a less invasive version of the SMAS facelift where your consultant tightens the SMAS layer with suspension stitches to avoid cutting underneath it. While a SMAS facelift goes behind the ear and also lifts the neck, a MACS facelift lifts the soft tissues of the cheek upwards. This type of procedure may be more suitable for younger patients without a lot of loose skin around the neck. It has a faster recovery time than a SMAS facelift.

Mid facelift

A mid-facelift, or cheek lift, tightens the skin around the mid-section of your face from above your mouth to your eye area. It can help smooth saggy cheeks, improve laughter lines, and make your eyes appear less sunken. It doesn't alter the appearance of your jawline or forehead.

Composite (deep plane) facelift

This is a type of advanced facelift that targets all areas of your face. During the procedure the skin remains attached to the SMAS layer, allowing the fat pads in the face to be maneuvered to create a more youthful appearance. Any excess skin is then removed.

Recovery from any type of surgery is different for everyone and depends on factors such as your age, general health and whether or not there are any complications during your surgery or recovery.

Your consultant will be able to give you an estimated recovery timeline based on your individual circumstances.

After your facelift surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will be monitored closely until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You will then be taken to your room.

How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?

After your facelift surgery, you may be able to go home later the same day, or you may need to spend one night in hospital. Talk to your consultant about when you can expect to go home after your surgery.

Will I be able to drive home?

You will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital after your facelift surgery or for 24 hours following a general anaesthetic. Please make arrangements for someone to come and collect you, or we can organise a taxi if you prefer.

How soon can I go back to work?

How soon you can go back to work after your facelift depends on your individual recovery and the type of job you do. You can expect to take between two and four weeks off work after facelift surgery.

How soon can I drive?

You will not be able to drive until you can safely control your car and are no longer taking pain medication. This is typically five to ten days after your surgery. Talk to your consultant about when you can drive after your facelift surgery.

When will I be back to normal?

Recovery from any type of surgery is a gradual process that is different for everyone. You can help your recovery go more smoothly by following your consultant's postoperative instructions carefully.

Go at your own pace during your recovery and call the hospital if you have any questions or concerns.

It typically takes two to four weeks to fully recover from facelift surgery.

After your facelift surgery

When you wake up after your facelift surgery, you may have a bandage around your face and some small drainage tubes in place to drain any blood and fluid. These will be removed after a few days.

You can expect to have facial swelling and visible bruising for at least two weeks after your facelift surgery. This will gradually subside, but it may take six to nine months before you see the full effects of your procedure.

Postoperative instructions

  • Avoid getting your bandages wet, including showering for the first two days after your procedure
  • Keep your head elevated with pillows for the first two days, including while you sleep
  • Stitches are removed after seven to 14 days (unless you had dissolvable stitches)
  • Take any prescribed medications as directed by your consultant
  • Avoid having sex, bending down, or lowering your head for two weeks after your facelift surgery
  • Avoid sun exposure
  • Don't smoke
  • Follow a healthy diet
  • Stay hydrated
  • Keep your skin moisturised

Activity after facelift surgery

After the first few days, you can start to resume normal activities such as walking around your house or doing light chores. Avoid strenuous exercise for four to six weeks after your surgery and get the all-clear from your consultant before starting any exercise routine.

As with all types of surgery, a facelift carries a small risk of complications. Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications before your surgery and answer any questions you may have about your procedure. Being as well-informed as possible about your surgery will help put your mind at rest and allow you to make an informed decision, so please ask any questions you may have.

Possible complications of any surgery include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic

Possible complications specific to facelift surgery include:

  • Nerve damage resulting in loss of sensation or movement in the face
  • Scarring
  • Loss of skin near the scars
  • Developing a collection of blood under your skin (haematoma)
  • Changes in skin colour (dark or pale areas on your face)
  • Asymmetrical facial features
  • Hair loss or reduced hair growth around the scars
  • Poor wound healing
  • Dissatisfaction with the result

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

  • Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
  • The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
  • Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
  • Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
  • Private ensuite rooms as standard
  • A range of delicious healthy meals
  • Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
  • Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about facelift surgery, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 5499.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in July 2024. Next review due July 2027.

Facelift (rhytidectomy) NHS

Facelift and necklift BAAPS

Facelift Surgery Rhytidectomy American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Best Facelift Surgery Alternatives Après Plastic Surgery

The Minimal Access Cranial Suspension Lift PubMed

 

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