Full Facelift and Neck Lift (Cervicoplasty or Platysmaplasty)

What is a Facelift?

A facelift is a surgical procedure to tighten and smooth facial skin, giving a more youthful, rested look. It can lift a heavy brow or forehead and smooth the skin around the eyes, cheeks , nose mouth chin and neck. A full face lift involves a scar behind the ear extending into the hairline. It differs from a MACS face lift in that there is an extra scar behind the ear. A full face and neck lift is used when you have excess loose skin in the neck. This will now be adequately treated with a MACS short scar face-lift. If you have excess skin in the centre of your neck you will need a full face and neck lift.

What it can’t do?

A facelift can not repair sun damaged skin, eliminate deep wrinkles, or remove bags under the eyes. See our procedure for facial peeling, dermal fillers and eyelids surgery for correcting these.

What is involved?

Your surgeon will make an incision following your hairline from your temple down to your ear and around your earlobe on both sides. Excess fat from around your upper face is removed and your facial muscles tightened. Your skin is then pulled up across your face, trimmed and sewn. Metal clips may also be used to prevent your skin from sagging. The scar will mostly be hidden in your hairline and around the back of your ears to minimise the visible scarring. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is often performed at the same time as a facelift to achieve an all over refreshed look. The whole operation can take up to four hours to complete and is performed under a general anaesthetic. You will probably stay in hospital for 2 nights.

Your recovery

Bandages will be applied around your head after the procedure, which you will need to keep in place for up to five days. Recovery time is dependent upon the extent of your surgery. On average, you will be able to resume normal activities within three to six weeks.

Possible side effects

Side effects from facelift surgery are usually temporary and can include:

• Nausea from the general anaesthetic bruising, and swelling of the face, tight or sore skin for several days.
• Mild pain easily alleviated with pain killers.

Your results

On average you can expect to look around seven to ten years younger when you have fully recovered from your facelift. The benefits will last around eight to ten years although this will depend on the elasticity of your skin and your lifestyle. Factors including diet, body weight and exposure to sunlight will affect your overall results and of course your skin will.