list of operations > facelift

before and after

Facelift

Makes the face and neck look younger by removing jowls, wrinkles and spare skin. Can be combined with blepharoplasty and dermabrasion to the lips.

The skin of the face and neck is pulled upwards and backwards. At the same time fatty deposits under the chin and along the jaw line can be removed and the muscles tightened. If indicated the cheeks can be filled out to give a more rounded and youthful look.

Two to three hours.

Two nights. If combined with blepharoplasty then three nights.

Absorbable stitches in front of the ears and silk stitches in the scalp.

Two weeks, usually removed at your post-op appointment. The hair should be washed every day after the dressing has been removed. It keeps the stitches clean and aids their removal.

Bulky padded bandage. There are usually drains (thin plastic tubes) to reduce the bruising.

Two days. The drains are removed at 24 hours.

Can be very severe, but usually is not.

Very variable, but there is nearly always swelling below and in front of the ears.

Not usually painful, but there is a tight feeling at the back of the neck and neuralgic sensations in the neck are common.

Mainly hidden in the temporal scalp and behind the ears, but there will be a fine line in front of the ears. The hairline will be a little further back after the operation.

Two or three weeks.

Three or four months.

Permanent, but aging continues and therefore all the wrinkles and wattles will eventually return.