It is relatively common for surgeons to use endoscopic or keyhole facelift surgery to perform parts of the facelift, particularly the brow lift. Several tiny cuts allow entry of the endoscope, a thin fibre-optic tube with a camera at the end. Tiny instruments are placed under the skin through other small entry holes. The surgeon performs the facelift surgery using images from the endoscopic camera on a large TV screen in the operating theatre.
Some surgeons also use minimal access cranial suspension (MACS), in which shorter cuts are made in the temple and at front of the ears. Fibrous tissue under the skin is pulled tight. This is then fixed in place by permanent stitches that attach it to tissue close to the cheek bone. Both techniques make smaller incisions, cause less scarring, and have a shorter recovery time.
When the facelift is complete, the surgeon usually places a small drainage tube behind each ear to drain excess fluid. This is removed before you are allowed to go home. Your face will be wrapped in bandages, which come off after one or two days. Stitches are removed between five and ten days after surgery.
Ordinary painkillers can relieve any discomfort after the effects of the anaesthetic wear off, but generally face lift operations rarely cause much pain. You may be advised to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and to rest with your head up. You must also avoid bending, straining, saunas, and massage, and keep your face out of the sun for several weeks.
Facelift information summary:
| Technical name |
Rhytidectomy |
| Procedure time |
Time varies depending on the type of cosmetic surgery face lift but the operation will take at least 3 to 4 hours |
|
Anaesthetic
|
General
|
|
Time in hospital
|
1 - 2 nights
|
|
Time off work
|
Up to 3 weeks
|
|
Face feels sensitive for
|
1 week until bruising subsides
|
|
Time for scar tissue to heal
|
Up to 12 months
|
|
Time to resumption of normal activities (including sports)
|
5 weeks
|
