Face lift (Rhytidectomy)

A face-lift, known as a rhytidectomy, is a rejuvenation procedure performed to restore your face and neck to a more youthful looking, but natural version of you. Mr Henley says, “There are a number of conditions that develop with ageing and there are different procedures and treatments available to address each area of the face.” Rhytidectomy is used to address problems with the lower half of the face. Mr Henley continues, “If it’s your eyes that look tired or sad, eyelid surgery may well be the solution. If it’s your forehead, a brow-lift may be needed instead.” Sometimes, a number of different procedures or treatments are used in combination to recreate the look that you want to achieve. Face-lifts can produce dramatic results, but Mr Henley cautions, “It can’t make you 18 again!”

Modern face-lifts have come a long way since the earlier days, when it was often obvious that surgery had been performed. “These days, it’s not only about using skin tension to shape the face”, says Mr Henley, “it’s about repositioning facial soft tissues and removing, redistributing and sometimes adding fat and tissue, to make you look younger without giving the appearance that you have had something done.”

A face-lift is commonly performed under a general anaesthetic, or with local anaesthetic and sedation. The operation takes between two to five hours to perform and you are likely to be in hospital overnight.

Cuts (incisions) are made in front of the ear, extending up and forward along the hairline and, if necessary, up along the natural curve of the ear and back along the hairline. Mr Henley then restores the soft tissues to where they once were, contours them, redistributing and adding fat as necessary. Finally, your skin is redraped over its new foundation, with any surplus being carefully removed before closing the incisions.

Risks and side effects of surgery

Complications are usually minor, but all surgery carries a degree of risk. Mr Henley will discuss these risks with you in detail at your consultation.

A specific risk of which you must be aware is damage to the nerves of the face. This can cause weakness of movement of your eyebrow and lip. In Mr Henley’s experience, this is an uncommon complication getting better over three to six weeks. However, permanent weakness has been reported by some surgeons.

Whilst not considered a complication, you will normally have numbness in your cheeks for three to six months. Other risks include bleeding or a collection of body fluid forming underneath the skin. Rarely, a return to the operating theatre is needed. Wound healing can be slow, particularly if the area becomes infected. Infection is uncommon, but if neglected can lead to local hair-loss and formation of ugly scars. Identified and treated promptly at an early stage, infection is a minor complication with very little or no long-term consequences.

You will be provided with detailed written information to help you make an informed decision about any surgery.

Recovery

There will be some discomfort following surgery and your face may feel tight when opening your mouth. Most people say that it is not a painful operation. Swelling and bruising is at its worst two or three days after surgery and you will look quite unpleasant. Sleeping upright in bed and the use of ice packs will help greatly. During the first week you may feel quite depressed, but this feeling should quickly pass over. Make sure that you have a good friend or relative around to lend support. Within a week, stitches can be removed and after ten to fourteen days, you can think about returning to work or going out in public. Within four weeks, you will be feeling more like yourself, albeit a younger looking version. However, don’t judge the final result of your face-lift for about six to nine months.

Face lift procedure before and after surgery

Before surgery	Seven months after surgery

Mr Henley would like to thank this patient for allowing her photographs to be displayed for the benefit of others who may be considering cosmetic surgery.

The information provided is intended to give a brief outline of the procedure. It is not a substitute for a personal consultation with a surgeon.