Facelift
 

FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions about Facelift Surgery)

In addition to the Facelift queries outlined below, please refer to Factors Common to All Surgical Procedures.


Q.     How long before I can be seen in public?

A.     Having a drain under the skin flaps for 24 hours reduces the severity of bruising. Most patients can disguise any bruising with camouflage creams a few days after surgery and be confident to appear in public after a week.

Q.     Will it be painful afterwards?

A.     Some discomfort may occur in the first 24 to 48 hours but this is readily controlled with mild pain killers. Once you are discharged from hospital you will be given pain killers to take as required. Pain and discomfort is not considered a real issue with this procedure.

Q.     Can I have a successful non-invasive procedure instead of a facelift?

A.     Only if you have the minimum of sagging or the minimum of skin damage. Once significant sagging or ageing occurs there is no current non-invasive technology available which can effectively lift the sagging tissues of the face. A facelift is currently the only effective option.

Q.     What can go wrong?

A.    In expert hands serious complications are extremely rare and if they occur can usually be satisfactorily treated.

Haematoma: Sometimes the tissues under the skin flap continue to bleed after the operation is finished. Usually the surplus bleeding is adequately removed by the drains (thin tubes placed under the skin flaps). If the bleeding is severe the drains may not remove the excess blood and a collection of blood (haematoma) develops under the skin. This blood has to be removed usually by taking the patient back to theatre and removing the blood/clot.

Flap Necrosis: This is an extremely rare complication in expert hands and usually occurs if there is a rapidly expanding haematoma under the skin flaps. This exerts tension on the skin and can compromise its blood supply leading to a condition known as “flap necrosis”. As a result, an area of skin can become damaged and be replaced by a scar. Further surgery may sometimes be necessary to improve the result.

Nerve Damage: Again this is a very rare complication in expert hands. It is possible to damage a motor nerve in the face i.e. one of the branches of the nerve which moves the muscles in the face. In most cases recovery occurs without any further intervention but very rarely further surgery may be required to repair the damaged nerve.


To find out more about Facelift Surgery, click on any of the links below:

Facelift - Before The Operation
Facelift - The Operation
Facelift - After The Operation
Facelift Gallery

or

Click here to download London Cosmetic Surgery Centre's "Guide to The Facelift"


Further Information about Facelift Surgery can be obtained by reading our senior surgeon's latest book "Every Woman's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery". If you would like to purchase a copy, please click here.