Melbourne Plastic Surgery Blog

Deciding to undergo facelift surgery is a big decision, one requiring careful consideration after consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

Referred to as “rhytidectomy” a facelift is designed to smoothen loose skin and wrinkles on the face and neck, tighten underlying tissues which have become lax with age, and gets rid of fatty facial issue. As a result a patient undergoing facelift surgery can expect the face to appear firmer and more youthful.

Choosing the right Specialist Plastic Surgeon for your facelift is important and you should ensure that you are comfortable with the specialist chosen, have checked their credentials, feel satisfied with their level of expertise in performing facial surgery and that, after consultation, you both have realistic expectations on what can be achieved.

Choosing the right surgeon aside, preparing for your surgery, and post-surgical care are both important factors to ensure you do everything you can to get the best outcome.

Patients who elect to undergo face lift surgery at Brighton Plastic Surgery are given a comprehensive list of pre and post-surgical instructions. This post aims to summarise some of this information, providing an overview of what you should expect when undergoing this type of plastic surgery.

Two Weeks Before Your Face Lift Surgery

Two weeks before your scheduled surgery you should expect to meet with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon for a final consultation. Any administrative matters are generally tended to at this point and you will be given detailed instructions on pre and post-operative care.

You should cease smoking at least 2 weeks prior to undergoing facelift surgery. Smoking is known to impede the healing process. If continued, blood flow, which carries all the healing properties to your wounds is significantly reduced and will cause delays in your recovery or could cause wound breakdown. Better still why not use your upcoming surgery as a catalyst to stop smoking all together!?

Aspirin and other medications known for their blood thinning properties should be avoided at this point.  Other medications to cease 2 weeks prior to surgery include anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins or herbal/complementary medicines.

It is critical that you discuss any medications you take with your Surgeon at both your initial Consultation, and when you meet with them 2 weeks before your procedure.  They will advise what you need to stop taking and what you may need to start taking. To ensure a successful surgical outcome it is important that you follow your surgeon’s directions without deviation.

48 Hours Before Facelift Surgery

You should refrain from drinking alcohol 48 hours before your facelift procedure.  Alcohol will dehydrate you and prolong your recovery period. You should follow any additional instructions provided to you by your Surgeon at this time including taking any additional medications required.

The Day of Your Face Lift Surgery

Have a good shower and thoroughly wash your hair on the morning of surgery. Do not put any hair products in your hair, including hairspray.

Bring comfortable loose clothing with you on the day of your surgery. Tops should be buttoned or zipped down the front, so nothing will pull at your wounds. This should also be the case for sleeping attire. Easy to slip on shoes are essential to avoid bending over after surgery.

Facelift surgery usually takes between 3-6 hours depending on each patient’s specific needs.  Facelift surgery is performed as an inpatient procedure  and is performed under general anaesthesia. You can expect to be in hospital for 1-2 nights after your surgery.

You will need to ensure that you have pre-organised a responsible adult to pick you up from hospital and have them stay with you day and night for the first 48 hours after you are discharged.

Face Lift – Post Operative Care

There will be many specific instructions provided to you to follow post-surgery. It is important that these are strictly adhered to in order to facilitate the best surgical outcome.

After your surgery you should expect some post-operative swelling, bruising and/or numbness for some time - this can continue for a matter of weeks or months.  All incisions and dressings should be kept dry until your Surgeon indicates that showering or bathing is ok.

It is important to keep your head elevated for the first few weeks after your surgery. We suggest sleeping semi reclined on 2-3 pillows, on your back. This will aid your recovery.

You should aim to keep a light schedule in the weeks following your surgery to allow for adequate healing time.  Extra rest is important to promote proper healing. Refrain from physical activity (i.e. exercise) for first 2 weeks, after which time you may gradually increase activity. No strenuous exercise or activity is recommended for 6 weeks after surgery (gym, yoga etc).

Deciding to undergo face lift surgery is a decision that should not be taken lightly.  If it is something that you are considering we recommend booking a consultation with Mr Mutimer, a Melbourne based Specialist Plastic Surgeon. He’ll be able to inform you on all aspects of the surgery, perform a full assessment of your suitability, discuss expected outcomes and answer any questions that you may have,

For more information or to book a facelift surgery consultation feel free to call us on 03 9592 0522 or submit an enquiry via our website.

A common question posed by clients looking to undergo plastic surgery in Melbourne is “when is the best time to have this procedure?”.  Whilst timing may not be an important factor for some, and there really is no right or wrong time to schedule in your surgery, winter most definitely has its benefits.

We always recommend doing what works best for you however some considerations for why winter could be a more favourable time include:

• A more comfortable recovery: your recovery time will be the same regardless of when you have plastic surgery however winter generally poses more favourable conditions for a comfortable recovery.  The cool weather during winter means you are more likely to be wearing bulkier clothing, making it easier to cover up any swelling, dressings or compression garments.  
• Sweat less: you will sweat less in winter making any post-surgical dressings or garments generally more comfortable to wear.
• Easier to avoid sun exposure: exposing scars to the sun can cause permanent damage and should be avoided at all costs. For those who have lived through (and survived) a Melbourne winter you will know that generally over-exposure to sun won’t be an issue at this time of year!
• You won’t miss out on water activities: swimming, especially in pools, is often prohibited post-surgery so again undergoing plastic surgery in winter means you won’t be left sitting on the sidelines while others enjoy the water.
• Not showering may be easier to manage: no one likes to think about not showering regularly, however after your procedure you may be instructed to refrain from showering for several days –generally much easier to manage in the cooler months.
• You’ll be summer ready: opting for plastic surgery in the cooler months mean you will have recovered and be ready to put your best foot forward in summer.

If you are considering plastic surgery we recommend booking a consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon in Melbourne who will be able to discuss your intended procedure, perform a full assessment of your suitability, discuss expected outcomes and answer any questions you may have, including when may be the best time to have the procedure. 

For more information or to book a consultation feel free to call us on 03 9592 0522 or submit an enquiry via our website.

Face lift surgery is a common plastic surgery procedure amongst those seeking treatment at Brighton Plastic Surgery.  A face lift reduces sagging skin and wrinkles and generally restores a more youthful look to ones appearance.  It is primarily sought out by clients when non-surgical treatments are no longer providing the results that they desire.

We often get asked “is now the time I should be considering a facelift?” There is no “ideal age” to get a face lift.  As we age smile lines get deeper, jowls become more prominent, more wrinkles appear and the skin starts to sag. In some patients these signs start to become quite prominent in their 40’s whilst others remain quite taut and youthful into their 50’s and in some cases their 60’s!

The “best” age to get a face lift really depends on when one begins to show noticeable signs of ageing.  Although people in their 40’s and 50’s often see the best results due to their skin still having sufficient elasticity, the optimal age to get a facelift really depends on each person’s individual circumstances. Skin condition and texture are more important factors in determining whether face lift surgery may be beneficial over ones age.  The above said the goal with facial rejuvenation surgery is to preserve and maintain the face, so the sooner the signs of ageing are addressed, the better and more enduring the results are likely to be.

One important thing to note is that most specialist plastic surgeons will agree that patients can expect their facelift to last 8-12 years, so often a follow up procedure may be required.

Our advice is to book in a consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who will be able to fully assess the physical factors specific to your circumstances and advise whether a face lift will likely achieve the outcome you desire.

Our website has additional information on face lift surgery including cost estimates and the ability to view the procedure in 3D.  Many patients find this very helpful before a consultation. If you are considering a face lift, feel free to call to discuss any questions you may have or to book a consultation.

The aim of a facelift is to help reduce the signs of ageing and to make the face appear smoother and more youthful. Facelift surgery is popular with both men and women however it is important to be confident this is the right procedure for you. We recommend visiting a specialist plastic surgeon to explore whether you are a good candidate for face lift surgery.

There are several factors that best lend themselves to determining whether a person is a good candidate for a face lift. While these factors are by no means conclusive, they are often good indicators:

Loose Skin: When we age, gravity ceases to be our friend and our skin starts to loosen and sag, particularly in the lower portion of the face and neck.  This loose skin often indicates that you may benefit from face lift surgery. A face lift allows for any extra skin to be removed and the face tightened to reduce this saggy appearance and to restore a more youthful, natural look to the face.

Skin Elasticity:  The elasticity of the skin on the face is an important determining factor as to whether a patient is a good candidate for a face lift.  Skin should have a significant amount of flexibility (elasticity).  This allows for the skin to be gently stretched leaving a firmer looking face.

Your Bone Structure: Bone structure is the foundation of the face.  A defined bone structure will help to support any alternations made during the surgery and generally help maximise results.

Your Overall Health: You have likely heard the saying “Your health is your wealth” – this particularly applies when you opt to undertake any surgical procedure.  The healthier you are, the faster and smoother your recovery is likely to be.

Your consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon will assess these physical factors, explore your expectations and assist you to understand what is realistic to achieve with this surgery. Mr Mutimer is an advocate for natural looking face lift.  A thorough consultation process will ensure both you and your surgeon are comfortable with what can be achieved in your specific circumstances.

Our website has additional information on facelift surgery including cost estimates and the ability to view the procedure in 3D.  Alternatively feel free to contact us should you have further questions or wish to book a consultation.

Our face changes as we age.  Smile lines get deeper, jowls become more prominent and wrinkles appear as skin loses its elasticity.  If you are bothered by the signs of ageing in your face, a face lift may be suitable for you.  The aim of a face lift is to achieve a natural-looking facial refreshment and rejuvenation. It may also be combined with other procedures such as a brow lift to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow or eyelid surgery to rejuvenate ageing eyes.

Technically known as rhytidectomy, a face lift is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of ageing in the face and neck such as:

• Sagging in the mid face
• Deep creases below the lower eyelids
• Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
• Fat  that has fallen or is displaced
• Loss of muscle tone in the lower face creating jowls
• Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw

Who is suitable for a face lift?

Women and men who have loose skin in the neck and along the jaw line and deep smile lines in the mid face are ideal candidates for face lift surgery.  Whilst the average patient age is 50’s and 60’s the surgery can be performed on both older and younger patients.  Techniques are modified according to age, condition of skin and individual needs and expectations of each patient.

It is essential that candidates for a face lift are in good physical and emotional health and that you start your experience with realistic expectations and the desire for personal improvement, not perfection.

Contact us if you would like to find out more about face lift surgery or visit our website and view face lift procedure in 3D