How Is A Facelift Done? Understanding The Benefits Of The Procedure

Meloplasty or facelift surgery is a cosmetic procedure that is carried out to lift the muscles of the face and neck and address the signs of ageing. During a facelift, your plastic surgeon may also remove or reposition excess fat during the procedure. Today we will explain how is a facelift done, and what its benefits are so you can decide if it is the right cosmetic procedure for you.

What Is A Facelift?

During facelift surgery, your plastic surgeon will tighten and lift the tissues in the face and neck in order to address sagging in the face. It may be combined with nose surgery, a brow lift or eyelid surgery.

During the facelift surgery, your surgeon may also

• Tighten your facial muscles
• Redistribute or remove fat from the face
• Use fat taken from other parts of the body to add volume to your face.

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For A Facelift?

A facelift is not necessarily the right procedure for everyone who has ageing concerns. It works best for patients who

• Experience sagging in your mid-face
• Wrinkles and creases under the lower eyelids
• Have jowls or a double chin caused by a loss of muscle tone in the lower face
• Have deep creases running from the nose to the sides of the face
• You are a non-smoker
• You are in good health and do not suffer from any health conditions that compromise your body’s ability to heal
• You have a realistic understanding of the procedure and what it can achieve.

You can speed up your recovery post-surgery by being in a physically fit state, not smoking, and finding out if there are any medications you are taking that might need to be stopped before your facelift.

There are limitations to what facelift surgery can achieve, and it won’t be the right procedure for you if you want to remove wrinkles from around your mouth, lift your brows or remove deep wrinkles in the forehead.

If you would like to lift the skin below your eyes, chin or cheeks, a suture facelift may be a more suitable option for you. A suture facelift is often recommended for younger patients who are experiencing premature sagging of their skin or damage caused by the sun.

It’s also good to know that the effects of a facelift, while noticeable, will not last forever. Having facelift surgery cannot prevent future ageing. On average patients can expect their results to last for five to 12 years.

How Is A Facelift Done?

Facelift surgeries have to be performed in registered and licensed health facilities. Because facelifts are performed under general anaesthetic, there must be a licensed anaesthetist present as well.

How long your facelift surgery will take will depend on the complexity of your procedure. In most cases, patients can anticipate a two to four-hour surgery.

With traditional facelift surgery, your plastic surgeon will make a small incision in your hairline, along your temple and around your ear. The skin will be lifted up from its underlying tissue, fat will be removed and muscles will be repositioned. The skin is moved back up towards the scalp and stitched or stapled in place.

How Is A Facelift Done: What To Expect After Surgery

A facelift is a surgical operation so you can expect downtime afterwards. You may expect

• Swelling and bruising
• To use a drainage tube to release fluid
• Discomfort and pain

You will wear bandages over your face and head for compression, in order to manage swelling, and you must follow the post-operative care instructions given by your surgeon.

Your surgeon will also brief you on how to clean and care for your wounds. You may be given antibiotics or topical ointments to apply, which you must use as directed. 

Does Facelift Surgery Cause Scarring?

Because incisions are made into your skin, scarring is an inevitable part of a facelift. An experienced plastic surgeon will make strategic incisions that are hidden by your hairline. Scars will fade gradually over time but may be present for up to a year after your surgery.

It’s important to stay out of the sun while you are still healing. Sun exposure can cause scars to darken and become more prominent.

Are There Any Alternatives?

It’s always a good idea to consult with a plastic surgeon before you commit to facelift surgery. Understand that a facelift will not change the fundamentals of your appearance and has its limitations in terms of what it can achieve. It cannot stop future ageing either, so it is always worth discussing alternatives with a professional.

Sometimes it may be possible to address skin and ageing concerns with less invasive procedures like dermal fillers, laser resurfacing or Botox injections. If you have sagging around your mouth, eyes or brows, a different surgical procedure may be more appropriate for your long term needs.

Manage Your Risk Factors Appropriately

Each patient presents with different circumstances and different risk factors. You will need to give your plastic surgeon your full medical history before your procedure and sign a medical consent form, acknowledging that you are aware of any risks. You must divulge any medication you are taking as well as any previous surgical experiences.

For more information on how is a facelift done, or for a consultation to discuss the best way forward for your skin concerns, please contact us for a confidential appointment: (02) 9158 6375.