Surgical Procedures for Men

Face: Brow lift | Eyelids | Ears | Nose | Chin | Facelift | Neck lift

Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Over the years, the effects of gravity, smoking, exposure to the elements and the stress of life can all be seen in the face. Taking care of the face and skin is important but we know it's difficult to stop the deep creases forming and the skin becoming looser.

A facelift (or rhytidectomy) can't stop the ageing process but it can help turn back the clock by improving the most visible signs of ageing. The operation removes excess fat in the face and neck and tightens underlying muscles.

A facelift is performed under a general anaesthetic and you will usually be in hospital for one or two nights. It is important to think about the results you want. The surgeon can use different techniques to perform the operation and they will go through the options and what you can expect in your initial consultation.

In a typical facelift the surgeon will cut around your hairline, past the front of your ears. Your skin will be carefully separated from the underlying muscles. Excess fat will be removed and the muscles will be tightened. The skin will then be lifted up, pulled back and any excess will be trimmed off. It will then be stitched back to the line where the cut was initially made.

Facelifts are sometimes performed on the brow area, lower face, or neck only. Other techniques include using keyhole surgery, which is common when performing a brow lift.

Another type of facelift surgery is minimal access cranial suspension (MACS). Shorter cuts, compared to a traditional facelift, are made in the temple and in front of the ears. Fibrous tissues under the skin are tightened with permanent stitches that are fixed to tissue close to the cheek bone or the fibrous connective tissue under the skin.

Mr Nduka will discuss all the techniques available and the options available to you.

At the end of surgery, your face will be tightly wrapped in bandages, which may run under your chin, around your ears and/or over your head. The bandages will be removed after one or two days and your stitches will be removed after five to ten days.

There will be some scarring after your facelift, but this generally fades over the course of a year. You should be able to go back to work between ten days to two weeks after surgery but you should follow Mr Nduka's instructions. After three weeks you should begin to look and feel better. The consultant will take you through all the risks and benefits associated with this type of procedure and it is important to talk through your expectations with Mr Nduka before the procedure.