Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
The facelift is a surgical procedure which aims to rejuvenate the face and to give a more youthful appearance. The face and neck can sag with age as the skin loses its elasticity, muscle deteriorates and bone density declines. Facelifts aim to smoothen down the face by removing excess skin, removing or repositioning facial fat, and finally tightening the skin and muscles to achieve youthful facial compositions. Gary Ross is one of the most experienced and qualified facelift surgeons in Manchester, and through his decades of experience, hundreds have reported exceptional results.
Modern techniques focus on repositioning and volume enhancement rather than the removal of excess skin. It can also be combined with other surgical procedures such as neck lift, blepharoplasty, autologous fat transfer and brow lift or with non-surgical procedures such as lasers, peels, and dermabrasion. Following a facelift consultation in Manchester with Gary Ross, the best procedure combination for you can be discussed.
Who Is It Suitable For?
Our faces age for a variety of reasons and ages at varying times for different patients. It is commonest to perform face lift procedures between the ages of 40-70 although there is no age limit.
Who Is Not Suitable For Face Lift Surgery?
Those who have been pressured to contour their body by others are not suitable for face lift surgery in Manchester. Other signs you may not be a good candidate are if you have unrealistic expectations, smoke and you have a significant medical history.
How Much Does A Face Lift in Manchester Cost?
The cost of a face lift can differ on a case by case basis. Once you’ve had the initial consultation for your face lift in Manchester, the surgeon will provide you with a full quote.
What To Expect During Your Facelift Consultation in Manchester
Your facelift consultation will begin with a meeting with Gary Ross at The Alexandria Hospital in Cheadle. This is where Gary Ross consults and performs his transformational facelift surgeries. This renowned medical location is recognised for its exceptional patient care and state-of-the-art medical facilities.
The success of your facelift surgery in Manchester is entirely dependent on your openness and honesty in relation to what your concerns are, your explanations and also your transparency regarding your medical history. You will be asked questions about your health and lifestyle. The surgical procedure for your facelift will be tailored to you, and a bespoke treatment plan will be created if you qualify for surgery following your consultation. The various surgical techniques, potential outcomes, risks and complications will be discussed with you.
The facelift requires repositioning of the tissues in your face and often skin is also tightened and removed. Various types of facelift procedures are available with Gary Ross in Manchester and may be combined with other forms of facial rejuvenation. It may involve lifting all of the skin of the face and neck, repositioning the tissues and tightening the skin. Other facial rejuvenation procedures may be performed at the same time depending on your desired outcome. Possible surgical combinations include neck lift, blepharoplasty, autologous fat transfer and brow lift and non-surgical options including lasers, peels and dermabrasion.
A consultation with Gary Ross will provide the best opportunity to speak with a professional offering decades of experience and credibility. Your facelift treatment plan will be created with optimal patient safety in mind.
Preparing For Facelift Surgery in Manchester
The majority of facelift procedures require general anaesthetic. Your health is of prime importance and your facelift surgery should be postponed if you are unwell for any reason. Any changes in your health in the lead-up to your facelift procedure should be detailed to Gary Ross and his team, and he will make a decision whether your particular concern merits pushing the procedure date back. Please keep in mind that this is imperative for your health.
You should stop smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery and stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements before surgery. You may need preoperative tests prior to having your facelift in Manchester, which we will arrange if required. Recovery should also be planned for prior to surgery, with at least 2 weeks of undisturbed rest scheduled. This will require booking time off work, planning for assistance at home in the first few days and also avoiding driving for at least 10 days post-surgery.
The Face Lift Surgery
Facelift surgery in Manchester often takes between 2 and 3 hours, although this may be longer if you are having additional procedures. The surgical incision method will be discussed during your consultation, but typically the incision is made in the hairline and extends in a natural line in front of the ear (men) or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear (women) and continues under and then behind the earlobe into the scalp. Shorter scars may be used depending on what you are trying to achieve with the facelift and occasionally it may be necessary to make an incision under the chin.
During your facelift, the skin is generally separated from the underlying tissues and the tissues of the face and neck are visualised directly. The underlying fat and muscle are visualised and the tissue is repositioned. The tissue in the face is repositioned vertically.
Occasionally, excess fat may need to be removed via liposuction and occasionally fat may be injected into other areas. The muscles in the neck are tightened and the skin is redraped and repositioned. Skin may need to be removed during the facelift and the skin is then re-sutured in layers. Within the scalp area, a number of surgical clips are used. It is unusual to require drains or dressings with facelift surgery.
After Facelift Surgery in Manchester
You will usually return to the ward within an hour following facelift surgery in Manchester. You will be able to eat, drink and mobilise. It is common to feel swollen and have bruising and discomfort that may require analgesia. You will be numb around the face, neck, and ears and this does take some weeks/months for the sensation to return. It is extremely uncommon to have permanent sensory loss, and this risk of this will be mitigated with Mr Ross’ expertise. You will feel your face and neck tight following your facelift surgery in Manchester, although this is entirely normal. You will be advised to not drive following this surgery, as the frequent turning of the neck may disrupt the sutures. The bruising and swelling do take some days/weeks to settle and you should keep your head upright.
Facelift Recovery From Home
You should arrange for someone to pick you up following your facelift in Manchester and have some support at home on discharge. The final results of a facelift can take some months to become apparent. You will be seen in the dressings clinic by your facelift surgeon in Manchester the following week and it is important to avoid too much contact with your face and hair during this time. It will take a couple of weeks to get back to your normal activities. The scars from a facelift can be red initially but usually fade over time, becoming a white line. See our facelift case studies to see the various stages during facelift recovery.
Risks And Complications of Face Lift Surgery
Most patients undergoing facelift surgery in Manchester are highly satisfied with their results, experiencing improved facial contours and a rejuvenated appearance. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are some potential risks and complications to be aware of.
Common Temporary Side Effects
Most patients experience mild, temporary side effects such as numbness, bruising, and swelling, particularly around the ear and along the scar line. These effects are normal and typically resolve within a few weeks as the face heals.
Less Common Complications
In rare cases, some complications may occur. These can include:
- Infection: Though uncommon, infections can develop and may require antibiotic treatment.
- Hematoma: Blood accumulation beneath the skin may occur and can require drainage.
- Delayed Healing and Skin Changes: Occasionally, areas of skin may heal more slowly, or in very rare instances, lead to skin necrosis (skin loss).
- Seroma Formation: Fluid buildup under the skin may occur, necessitating drainage.
- Scar Tissue Changes: While unusual, some patients may develop thickened or raised scars, and slight asymmetry between the scars on each side of the face is possible.
Facial Nerve Considerations
Temporary weakness in facial muscles may occur due to nerve irritation or slight trauma during surgery. While it is rare for any permanent nerve damage to occur, some patients may experience temporary weakness in facial expression that typically resolves within days or weeks.
Anaesthesia-Related Risks
As with any surgery requiring anaesthesia, there are uncommon risks associated with general anaesthesia, such as respiratory or cardiac complications and deep vein thrombosis.
Addressing Concerns Post-Surgery
If you experience any unexpected symptoms or have concerns following your facelift surgery, it’s essential to contact your surgeon in Manchester right away. Open communication with your care team will help ensure a smooth and safe recovery.
Why Choose Gary Ross MBChB, MD, FRCS, (Plast) For Your Face Lift in Manchester
Gary Ross is a full member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS); British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Association of Breast Surgeons (ABS), British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (BAHNO) and is a fully accredited plastic surgeon on the General Medical Council’s specialist register for plastic surgery. Gary Ross is a highly experienced Facelift surgeon in Manchester, so you will be in the safest environment possible for your procedure.
Facelifts aim to rejuvenate the face by enhancing the volume of the face and tightening the skin, therefore making the patient look more youthful. In the past, facelift surgery was focused on the removal of excess skin, but modern techniques include a greater focus on repositioning, tightening and volume enhancement for the most effective results.
Depending on the wants and needs of the patient, face lift surgery can be combined with other procedures including neck lift, autologous fat transfer or a brow lift. It is also common for non-surgical procedures to be combined with facelift surgery, including lasers and peels. Whether you qualify for facelift surgery in Manchester will be discussed during a consultation.
Prior to your surgery, you will have a full consultation with your facelift surgeon in Manchester to make sure that you are absolutely happy with the surgical plan. The facelift itself takes between 2 and 3 hours and in some cases, this is slightly longer if the surgery is combined with other procedures.
For most facelifts, an incision is made in the hairline and is extended down towards the ear and behind the earlobe. The length of the scar varies significantly depending on the expectations for the surgery. Following the incision, the skin is separated from the tissues under the skin and then the face can be repositioned and tightened. Surgical clips are used within the scalp area.
Full recovery after your facelift surgery in Manchester will take around 6 weeks. As soon as possible after the surgery, you will be encouraged to eat, drink and mobilise. It is normal to experience numbness, tightness, swelling and discomfort, particularly in the days following the surgery. The numbness is likely to last weeks or potentially months.
A week after your facelift surgery in Manchester, you will come back to see your surgeon to have your dressings changed. Before this time, avoid contact with your face and hair. The scars will be almost fully healed 6 weeks post-surgery.
How long a facelift lasts depends on various different factors, such as your lifestyle and how you age naturally. In general, you can expect the results of a facelift to last around 10 years.
Although there is no age limit for having facelift surgery, it is most common for people to have a facelift between the ages of 40 and 70. During a consultation with your facelift surgeon in Manchester, they will be able to discuss your suitability for the procedure and you will be informed of all of the benefits, drawbacks, risks and potential complications. This will help you to make an informed decision about whether facelift surgery is right for you.
