Facelift and Necklift

About 

I have done over 550 facelift operations. I do a deep plane SMAS facelift. This surgery is demanding and precise. The technique I use encompasses a facelift and a necklift in one procedure. It addresses problems from lower in the neck, on the jowl and jawline to higher on the cheek. After many years’ experience I have refined an approach which delivers maximum effect leaving only a short scar. The line is hidden in the curves at the front of the ear, in the fold of the earlobe and in the crease behind the ear. The skin and soft tissue of the neck, jawline and cheek is undermined, released and lifted upwards and precisely repositioned with many dissolving stitches. The operation reverses the aging process but without the appearance of having had surgery. No one needs to know. The surgery is under general anaesthetic, you will stay in hospital for one night and there’s a 2 week down time.

Consultation

I need to know the facial features you don’t like so that surgery will be worthwhile and you’ll be happy with the outcome. I pull the loose skin on the neck, jawline, jowl area and cheek upwards and then back to see how much it moves and opens up the skin fold at the corner of the mouth and smooths out the jaw line and neck. Then I feel for fat in the jowl and under the chin which is removed to produce more definition. To form clear impression of your predicted result we compare photographs of you at various angles with the results of previous patients with comparable features.

How long will it last?

This is the question everybody asks. The longevity of the result depends on the quality of your skin and how it continues to age after surgery. During the operation I will use the best technique to produce the best possible outcome. I take photographs immediately after surgery to record this.

Operation

There are two layers in the face which can be tightened in facelift surgery. The skin layer is superficial and deeper down there is a layer called the ‘SMAS’*. The technique of surgery will vary according to your characteristics. 

In the majority who are slim and with delicate skin I dissect in a ‘deep plane’ keeping the SMAS tissue and skin together as one layer. The SMAS layer is robust and withstands the tension of stitches needed to relocate it upwards and backwards. This is the action which redefines the jawline and smooths out the cheek and neck. Tension on the skin is avoided to prevent distortion and visible scars. 

In those with a fuller face and neck the excess fat under the chin and at the jowl is first removed by fine liposuction. Then the deep SMAS layer is moved upwards with tension whilst the overlying skin layer is pulled in a more oblique direction. No tension is applied at the incision line allowing a fine scar to form. A firm dressing is applied to prevent swelling, tiny drainage tubes take away any fluid and movement is kept to a minimum. 

 *  SMAS: Subcutaneous-Musculo-Aponeurotic-System

Recovery

There is a one night stay in hospital resting very still after the surgery. The next morning the dressing is removed. You will be helped to shower and taught how to care for yourself. In the two week recovery period it is essential to stay at home and restrict activity. The incision line and the layers of the face must heal together. There will be a return visit for a check at 14 days. A further settling period lasts several weeks before the follow up at 8 weeks.

Gallery

See photographs of typical results for this procedure