cosmetic surgery compassion . experience . trust about the … pdfs/facelift.pdf · about the...

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Cosmetic Surgery Specialists

Compassion . Experience . Trust

FACE LIFT

About The Facelift

Facelift is the term that describes a number of

surgical procedures that do one or more of the

following:

• Remove excess skin

• Remove excess fat

• Tighten loose skin

• Tighten sagging muscles

There are different types of Facelifts and certain

procedures are more suited to certain people. The

outline of procedures to follow are simply a guide-

Your personal situation can be discussed in detail

during your consultation.

Types of Facelift:

The Mini-Lift

This is the most basic of facelifts, and involves little

more than a skin tuck. The surgeon first makes the

standard facelift incision, as shown below.

He then lifts and tightens he skin. The wounds are

then sutured. Occasionally, drains may be used.

The Mini-Lift has little, if any, effect on grooves

running between the nose and mouth (naso-labial

grooves)

Depending on the amount of skin removed, the

results may be more or less striking and

consequently last for varying periods of time.

The SMAS Lift

In this procedure, the surgeon lifts the deeper layer of

muscle (the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system

or SMAS) in addition to the overlying skin.

This allows the structures in the lower face and neck,

to be sutured to bone higher on the face, hence

tightening the sling running around the lower face

and chin / neck. Any excess of fat may also be

removed.

www.cosmeticsurgeryspecialists.co.uk Phone: 020-7580-8001

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The Extended SMAS Lift

In this extension to the conventional SMAS

procedure, the surgeon lifts the whole of the skin and

SMAS layer all the way to the nose, totally elevating

it from the cheek structures beneath. Consequently,

the mid-face is considerable improved by this

procedure, as are the nasolabial grooves.

The Composite Facelift

This operation is generally taken to involve an

extended SMAS lift, to which is added a browlift and

possibly also lower eyelid surgery.

The Mask Lift

This modern technique is a much more extensive

procedure. Sometimes referred to as a Subperiosteal

Facelift, the operation involves:-

• A hair band-type incision, which is taken right

down through the covering of the bone. This

allows all of the deeper layers of the face to be

lifted

• Incisions within the mouth to release all of the

structures of the cheek

The Endoscopic Facelift

Endoscopic facelift, also known as the “scarless

facelift”, can be beneficial for certain select

individuals who do not have a significant amount of

excess skin.

Endoscopic Facelift is the latest in facial plastic

surgery. This procedure uses endoscopic

techniques to perform not only facial rejuvenation

but facial enhancement.

Endoscopic techniques were first developed for use

in general surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedic

surgery and others. Now the technology and

expertise is available for application in plastic and

cosmetic surgical procedures.

Endoscopic facelift is a type of surgical technique

that prevents the need for long incisions, allows

faster healing and generally results in fewer side

effects than traditional facelifts. It also allows the

surgeon, access to hard-to-reach areas that

traditional face-lifting couldn't reach.

These difficult-to-reach areas are in the central third

of the face, including frown lines between the brows,

the folds adjacent to the nose and the lines around

the mouth.

The best candidates are generally considered to be

those individuals whose skin quality is still relatively

good and does not have too much excess skin. Most

patients are in their late 30’s up to late 50’s


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What is an Endoscope?

An endoscope consists of two basic parts: a tubular

probe fitted with a tiny camera and bright light, which

is inserted through a small incision; and a viewing

screen, which magnifies the transmitted images of

the body's internal structures. During surgery, the

surgeon watches the screen while moving the tube

of the endoscope through the surgical area.

Technical Consideration & Specific Post-

Operative Instructions

General Associations, complications and guidance

on what happens before, on the day, and after your

surgery can be found in the “Associations,

Complications and Advice” brochure on Facial

Cosmetic Surgery. However, specific information

relating to a Facelift follows:

• The operation may be performed under local

anaesthetic with sedation. However, the

majority of patients and surgeons prefer the

use of general anaesthetic.

• A basic mini-lift may take one hour or so to

perform. Larger face-lifts, especially if combined

with other procedures, may take anything up to

three or more hours.

• If the neck is also being lifted, the plastic surgeon

may also make an incision under the chin

• One or two thin drains may be inserted at the

completion of surgery. These will be removed

over the first 48 hours

• It is likely that the face will be bandaged. the

bandages will remain in place for up to 5 days,

depending upon surgeon preference and the type

of lift. Sutures are removed between 4 to 10 days

after.

• For the first 24 hours or so, you will be

encouraged to sleep upright. You may wash and

shampoo your hair after the bandages are

removed.

• Home rest is required for approximately 1 week

after surgery and avoid strenuous activity for

approximately 1 month. Most patients return to

work after 2-3 weeks.

• A Facelift turns the clock back, but it does not

make time stand still. You will always look

younger than you otherwise would, but over the

years your face will continue to age


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Considering Face Lift - What Next?

Initial consultation

The first step is to simply take advantage of a

completely free initial consultation with one of our

nurse counsellors. She will become your primary

contact at the Cosmetic Surgery Specialists and your

liaison between you and your surgeon. Your nurse

counsellor is responsible for ensuring that you

receive the very best care and attention.

The initial consultation is designed to be warm and

informative, and you are very welcome to bring a

friend, partner, or relative along with you. Your nurse

counsellor will be able to answer many of the

questions you may have, and will offer you objective

advice and guidance.

The initial consultation is simply designed to give you

more information (specific to you), and allow you to

think more about what it is you would like to achieve

through your surgery. It is also very valuable because

it helps you to think of questions you may wish to ask

your surgeon – should you decide to progress to the

next stage. At no point are you under any obligation

to progress any further.

Specialist Consultation

Should you decide that you would like to progress

further we would arrange for you to meet with a

specialist cosmetic surgeon. All surgeons associated

with Cosmetic Surgery Specialists are on the GMC

Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery. Should you

wish to check your surgeon’s registration, the

telephone number for the GMC is 020 7915 3630.

At your consultation with the surgeon, you will have

the opportunity to discuss your procedure in order

that he/she can ascertain your expectations as to

what can realistically be achieved. It also gives you

the opportunity to ask any final questions and get to

know the surgeon and the experience that they have

with patients undergoing similar procedures.

In addition the surgeon will:

- Discuss your and your family’s medical history and

any pre-operative tests that will need to be

conducted.

- Make a detailed and thorough physical examination

of your area of concern.

- Explain the surgical options available and which

would be most suited to you.

- Talk you through in details all aspects of the

procedure such as where and how each incision will

be made, an overview of the procedure and what’s

involved, likely complications and possible

conditions, recovery and healing times and stages,

dressing and after care, pain and where it is likely to

be felt and specific care details.

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- Assess your feelings and expectations, providing a

realistic account of the likely results and what can be

achieved.

- Confirm how long the procedure will take from

surgery to recovery and establish if any post-

operative treatments are necessary.

Following this consultation it is possible that the

surgeon may decide that surgery is not in your best

interest and might recommend not processing any

further.

The surgeon you see at your consultation will be the

surgeon who will carry out your procedure. Please

note that you are under absolutely no obligation to

take this consultation any further.

Informed Consent

Patients have a fundamental legal and ethical right to

determine what happens to their own bodies. Valid

consent to treatment is therefore absolutely central

Prior to any cosmetic treatment or surgical operation

being performed. Seeking consent is also a matter of

common courtesy between health professionals and

patients.

Age Limit

The minimum age for any consultation or surgical

procedure is 18 years.



Time for Reflection

All aesthetic cosmetic procedures are elective

operations. Following your consultation we

recommend that you take a period of fourteen days

to consider all the benefits and risks of the

procedures, and seek more information if necessary,

before you decide.

Your Procedure

Should you decide that a procedure is right for you,

your nurse counsellor will arrange a date with you for

your procedure. Your nurse counsellor will support

and guide you throughout the entire process, and will

be your point of contact through out your journey with

us.

We at Cosmetic Surgery Specialists are

delighted to be able to offer you compassionate

care you can trust.


cosmetic surgery compassion . experience . trust about the … pdfs/facelift.pdf · about the...

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