What is it?
A facelift - Rhytidectomy - is a procedure designed to smooth and firm the skin of the cheeks and neck.
What does it involve?
A general anaesthetic and realigning of the skin, usually by lifting the deeper layers of the face and neck.
Will it leave scarring?
Yes, but scars are placed to minimise their impact: down from the temple, either in or at the front edge of the hairline, around the ear and then back into the hairline behind the ear. The length of the scar is determined by the amount of tissue removed.
What happens afterwards?
Patients are nursed upright overnight to minimise swelling, and drains may be placed under the skin around the ear to reduce the chance of blood clots - haematomas. Most patients are able to go home the next day, after a shower and a hair wash. Stitches are removed 5-7 days later, and swelling usually lasts about 5-6 days. Bruising takes around 14 days to go down, but make up can often disguise the bruising from 10 days onwards.
When will I be up and about?
By 3 weeks you should have returned to normal day to day activities, but the neck and cheek tissues will feel stiff for some time afterwards, and numb for a number of months. Impact exercise is best avoided for at least 4-5 weeks.
What are the risks?
Complications are uncommon after facelifting but there are still risks:
- Infection is rare, and haematomas are unusual, but if they occur, they may require draining. As modern facelifting techniques involve putting tension on deeper skin layers, wounds tend to heal well.
- There is a small risk of damaging nerve branches, but this is also very rare.
You can find more information at www.douglasmcgeorge.com/ and www.baaps.org.uk/
