Face Lift

What is the procedure?

A face-lift is carried out under general anaesthetic and normally takes around two or three hours to complete. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin from the chin, cheeks and neck, with stitching taking place under the hairline or behind the ears. There will be some bruising and swelling around the surgery site, and stitches will remain in place for between one and two weeks. Surgeons advise that the head should be kept as still as possible during this time to ensure that the stitches are not stretched excessively.

Who is it meant for?

Most people - both men and women - choose to have a face-lift because the ageing process has left them with more wrinkles and folds on their face than they would like. This can be exacerbated by substantial weight loss because the skin loses its elasticity in later life and is unable to retract after having been stretched. Many believe that the procedure can slow down the ageing process - on a cosmetic level, at least.

Benefits and risks

The benefits of a face-lift relate largely to confidence and self-esteem, with many feeling that the procedure gives the face - and the person behind it - a new lease of life. For women, the application of make-up is often easier with fewer wrinkles. There are few serious risks but there will be some scarring and there is also a small risk of infection. Nerve damage within the face is possible, resulting in numbness for long periods. As the surgery involves a general anaesthetic, risks including deep vein thrombosis need to be borne in mind.

Price range

£4,000 to £6,000