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....................................What is a facelift?

....................................How is a facelift performed?

....................................What results can I expect?

....................................Is a facelift suitable for me?

....................................How long does the procedure take?

....................................How long will it take me to recover after a facelift?

....................................Will the procedure leave any scars?

....................................Are there any side effects of a facelift?

....................................What is the best age to have a facelift?

....................................Do I have to have a general anaesthetic for a facelift?

....................................How long after the procedure can I apply makeup?

....................................Will I need to have a second facelift in the future?

What is a Facelift?

An aesthetic surgical procedure, a facelift aims to improve facial appearance and reduce evidence of aging on both the face and neck.

How is a Facelift performed?

The surgical technique will depend on your physical features, the extent of the surgery and the particular method applied by your surgeon at the Aesthetic Day Surgery to best meet your needs.

In most cases, an incision is made commencing in the hairline at the temple, extending in a skin crease down in front of the ear, around the ear lobe and then behind the ear finishing in the hairline of the scalp. This provides enough access for your surgeon to separate skin from the underlying fat and muscle. The skin is then stretched upwards and backwards and the excess skin removed. In many cases additional procedures such as removal of the fat under the chin and tightening of the underlying muscles is performed. Other procedures may also be performed at the same time.

What results can I expect?

A successful facelift operation will make you look refreshed and more youthful. A facelift performed to correct sagging skin before lines and wrinkles have developed will often prevent the formation of these lines and wrinkles for many years and thus preserve a more youthful complexion. The surgeons at the Aesthetic Day Surgery will give you a realistic indication of the results you can personally expect from a facelift during you initial consultation.

Is a Facelift suitable for me?

The decision to go ahead with an aesthetic procedure is a a very personal one. The first step is a consultation with one of the qualified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Day Surgery. Whatever your reasons you should frankly discuss your personal goals and expectations with respect to the outcome of the procedure (both physical and emotional) with your surgeon. As with any aesthetic surgery you should always keep in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection.

How long does the procedure take?

Depending on the extent of the procedure, facelift surgery may last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.

However, please keep in mind that this is only actual surgical time. To ensure the highest standard of personalised patient care, attention to detail and results, the Aesthetic Day Surgery requires you to spend appropriate time both immediately before and after the procedure within the Day Surgery. In general you would need to allocate up to a full day of your time to allow for pre-operative procedures, the surgery itself and appropriate post operative care. (Note: this time would be in addition to your initial and follow up consultations with an ADS Surgeon).

How long will it take me to recover after a Facelift?

The length of time it takes to recover from a facelift will depend greatly on your general health, the extent of the procedure and of course your surgeon's advice. In general you will need rest for between 5-7 days immediately following the procedure. Returning to work and other normal activities is a personal choice although many individuals choose to take up to an additional 2-3 weeks off work.

Will the procedure leave any scars?

The advanced surgical techniques applied by the surgeons at the Aesthetic Day Surgery are designed to minimise (and where possible eliminate) all visible scaring. Surgical incisions are made in inconspicuous places, most commonly in the hair line and behind the ear. In general, you can expect any scarring that does occur to fade considerably with time although there is an individual variation in healing time and scar formation.

Are there any side effects of a Facelift?

Bruising and swelling around the face and neck are typical following facelift surgery. The extent of this varies from patient to patient but usually some level of bruising and swelling can be expected for 2-3 weeks following the surgery. Some patients also notice some form of tightness and numbness on their face and neck. These feelings may persist for a number of months before subsiding. You should ask your surgeon at the Aesthetic Day Surgery about any other side effects he feels may be relevant to your particular case.

What is the best age to have a Facelift?

The timing of a facelift is a very personal decision based on your own specific needs and goals. There is no 'best' or general age. There are several options (such as partial and full facelifts) which can and should be discussed with your surgeon at the Aesthetic Day Surgery.

Do I have to have a general anaesthetic for a Facelift?

A facelift may be performed under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic depending on the extent of your procedure and on your surgeon's preference.

How long after the procedure can I apply makeup?

In general normal makeup can be applied 7-10 days after the procedure.

Will I need to have a second Facelift in the future?

After a facelift, aging continues normally. A facelift will often 'last' seven to ten years but some of the improvement will last longer. A facelift can, of course, be repeated.

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