Facelift Surgery

 

Facelift surgery can help men and women to overcome the visual effects of gravity, sun exposure and the signs of ageing on the face and jowl area.

 

A facelift is one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic procedures and is often performed as a result of a patient feeling self conscious about his or her ageing facial appearance.  This procedure can be performed singularly or in combination with other procedures such as laser resurfacing, brow lift surgery or blepharoplasty (eye bag removal procedures).  The ultimate objective is for the surgeon to create a natural, youthful, fresh facial and jowl appearance by removing slack skin, tightening up loose facial muscle and removing unwanted fatty deposits.

 

Facelift surgery is available at One Ashford Hospital in Kent and One Hatfield Hospital in Hertfordshire, making us ideally placed to treat patients in Ashford, Canterbury, St Albans, Stevenage, and all nearby areas.

 

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How is a Facelift Procedure Performed?

Our private face lift surgery involves the surgical refining of ageing facial features by placing an incision above the hairline at the temple region, which extends down in front or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear, and then runs behind the earlobe and up into the hairline on the lower scalp area.

 

These incisions allow the surgeon access to the facial muscle and its fibrous attachments, which are sutured (stitched) tightly in front and behind the ear, to create a firm sling under the chin and around the jowl area.  Slack skin is then precisely and meticulously removed, and if necessary, unwanted fat is also removed from under the chin area with a minor liposuction technique.  The remaining skin is then re-draped over the newly defined features and carefully sutured back into place.

 

This procedure is usually performed under general anaesthetic and will commonly involve a 1 or occasionally 2 night stay in hospital.  Under normal conditions a typical facelift procedure will take around 2 hours to perform.

 

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Who is Suitable for this procedure?

• Middle aged and older men and women who are unhappy with their general ageing appearance
• Younger men and women who suffer from premature lines and wrinkles caused by excessive sun exposure, smoking and hereditary factors

 

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What are the Expected Results of a Facelift?

Face lift surgery can provide excellent results.  Excess, loose and wrinkled skin will be removed and the profile and general appearance of the remaining underlying tissue, facial skin and contours will look more youthful, smoother and firmer.

 

This advanced corrective procedure is very precise and reasonably lengthy and should only be performed by a Consultant Plastic Surgeon who is fully qualified and well experienced to skillfully perform this type of surgery.

 

Improved results will take place almost immediately following the facelift surgery, but will be obscured by the inevitable neck and facial bruising and swelling which typically follow any facial surgery.  It can take up to 14 days for this initial swelling and bruising to settle to an acceptable appearance.  After the initial swelling has settled down, subtle improvements to the contour of the newly shaped face and neck area will take place for up to six months following surgery.

 

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How Will I Feel After a Facelift Procedure?

Following face lift surgery, incision areas are often quite tender for several weeks following surgery.  Analgesic tablets (painkillers) are always provided for any discomfort and patients are encouraged to stay as upright as possible during their early recovery stage and to use cold compresses to help diminish residual swelling.  Patients usually describe the way they feel as ‘tight and uncomfortable’ rather than experiencing specific pain.

 

Any post-operative discomfort tends to diminish rapidly after clips and sutures are removed (typically after 7-14 days following surgery).  Most surgeons firmly bandage the face and jaw area for the first 48 hours following face lift surgery to minimise the development of swelling and to help reduce facial discomfort.

 

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What is the Expected Recovery Period?

Patients will be advised to take a specific amount of recovery time away from work, dependent on the type of work they perform, but it is usual to take at least a fortnight off to rest and recover at home.  Patients are also asked to totally avoid direct sunbathing on the facial area for 12 months following surgery.

 

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Need Help?

At One Healthcare we can book you in to see a specialist Consultant Plastic surgeon for an initial consultation, usually within 48 hours.  Facelift surgery is available at One Ashford Hospital in Kent and One Hatfield Hospital in Hertfordshire.

 

You can’t usually use your private medical insurance for cosmetic surgery but you can pay directly for your Facelift Surgery treatment. We offer competitive, fixed price packages. If you are able to use your health insurance, please contact your insurer first for approval and let them know you’d like to be treated at One Ashford Hospital.

Why One Ashford Hospital

• Access to leading Consultants within 48 hours*
• 0% and low finance options**
• Competitive fixed-price packages
• Modern purpose-built hospital
• Private, spacious, ensuite rooms
• Specialist Physiotherapy and nursing teams
• Little waiting time for surgery
• Calm, dignified experience

*Dependent on Consultant availability
**Terms and conditions apply

Contact us and find out more

If you are based in and around Kent, Maidstone, Dover, Canterbury or Folkestone and would like to visit the One Ashford Hospital please click here