As one gets older, ageing signs become visible on the face, the skin thins and it gradually loses its elasticity. Wrinkles become deeper and jowl formations become obvious. During the face lift procedure, the skin is undermined together with the underlying soft tissue covering the face and neck regions, the margins of the redundant ageing skin are trimmed and it is re-draped and stitched into position.

The face lift gives the skin and face a youthful appearance for a sustained period. The nasolabial folds (smile lines) and marionette lines can be reduced. The jowl can be minimised. Loose skin on the face can be eliminated. Soft tissue covering the face can be tightened up. The overall effect is for the face to look slimmer and 5 to 10 years younger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs to have a face lift?

This is one's personal choice - if you feel you need one, then that should be the reason for having one. Don't ask a loved one whether you need one or not - your child will say "we like you the way you are" and your close friends will remark that one must grow old gracefully. It is your choice. No need to ask for second opinions.

What is the best age to undergo a face lift?

No specific age group is suggested.

How long does a face lift last?

Improvement is for many years, although the skin will still age after the procedure is done, it will do so at a slower rate. A mini-lift or laser resurfacing may be needed at a later date.

What doesn't a face lift achieve?

• A softening, rather than a flattening of the laughter lines will occur.
• Around the eyes, there will not be any apparent changes and the crows' feet will not be eliminated. Nor will the brows be lifted, or the frown lines eliminated. These however, can be improved with laser resurfacing.
• Wrinkles around your mouth will also not be eliminated. Again, laser resurfacing will greatly improve this.
• Fat under the chin will not be eliminated, however a liposuction technique carried out at the same time can improve the appearance of the chin and make the face look slimmer.

What should be done just before the procedure?

• The face lift will usually be carried out in the morning, in which case you must have nothing to eat after midnight the evening before the procedure.
• The head should be washed with a good medicated shampoo in the morning.
• Nail polish should not be worn.
• Light clothing should be brought to the Day Surgery Centre to be worn.

What happens during the procedure?

The Doctor will give you a detailed explanation of the extent of the cut around the face, and a diagram will be available. The skin flaps are stretched upwards and backwards, the excess redundant skin is trimmed and the skin edges stitched into place along the incision line. Multilayer dressing is applied to the face for three days. There will be no drain tubes.

What can be expected post operatively?

During the first 24 hours after the procedure the patient will need to sleep in a semi recumbent position as the head, sides of the face and neck regions are protected with dressings.

As the first 24 hours is a critical time, soreness should be expected. This may disturb sleep, and an analgesic tablet or a sleeping tablet may be needed.

The patient can go home two hours after the operation, but is not allowed to drive. Some assistance should be available at home. It is best to eat soft food and avoid smoking. After 24 hours the patient will be reviewed. The dressing will be removed on the third day. The sutures should be removed four days later.

What about swelling and bruising?

Bruising is very uncommon, as Dr Roberts uses a laser to cut through the skin rather then a metal scalpel. He is the only surgeon in Australia to perform the s-lift using this advanced technique. Dr Roberts has presented this method at a number of International Conferences for Cosmetic Surgeons. The laser seals the blood vessels as it cuts the skin. This results in no bleeding during surgery and minimal post operative swelling. The use of the laser also increases the safety and precision of surgery as the absence of bleeding means improved visibility for the surgeon and no need for electrocautery to control bleeding.

You can expect very mild swelling which will take approximately three weeks to subside. Some patients also experience numbness or somewhat altered sensations in front and behind the ear lobes for about six weeks. The neck and cheek area will feel tight at first, however this will gradually ease.

How soon after the operation can a patient resume work?

With the benefit of laser surgery, most patients are able to return to work quite soon after the procedure, usually within 3 days to a week.

What is the cost of a face s-lift?

The procedure costs around $6000 - $7500, with includes $1100 in theatre and accommodation costs, as well as all the post operative appointments. A liposuction procedure to remove fat under the chin carried out at the same time will add $500 to the cost.

As a face s-lift is a cosmetic procedure, unfortunately it is not rebateable through Medicare nor private health funds.