Depending on the degree of change you'd like to see, your facelift choices include a traditional facelift, limited incision/short scar facelift and/or a neck lift.

Traditional Facelift:

A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues vertically down immediately in front of the ear along a natural skin crease, then around the ear and ends in the lower scalp behind the ear. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed in the face, jowls and neck and underlying tissue is repositioned, commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are lifted and re-anchored in a higher position. Skin is then re-draped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away.A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures (absorbable or non-absorbable) or skin adhesives are used to close the incisions.

Limited Incision/short scar/mini facelift:

An alternative to a traditional facelift uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing only upto the earlobe. "Mini-lifts" are usually reserved for patients with early changes of aging and less skin sagging.

A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift. They include:

• Facial implants or fat transfer to improve contours and replace lost fat
• Resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin
• Wrinkle reduction by injection of fat or fillers

Neck Lift:

A necklift addresses the loose neck skin, vertical bands in the front of the neck  and fat accumulation under the chin. The anterior incision is just under the chin and tightens the gap in the thin sheet of neck muscle and repairs the muscle corset. The posterior neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear and ends in the posterior hair behind the ear, pulling the excess neck skin up and behind the ear, where it is trimmed off and sutured meticulously .

All incisions will be closed with sutures that may dissolve or sutures which may need to be removed after a few days. Some surgeons use skin glues to seal the incisions. Once healed, the incision lines from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear.

Following a facelift, a lightly compressive  bandage will be placed around your face to control swelling and bruising. Small suctiontube drains may be present for 24 hours behind the ears to draw off any excess blood or fluid.

You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Swelling and bruising should be anticipated and can last for 1-2 weeks. Sutures (stitches) are generally removed at 1 week. Most patients look fairly well after 2 weeks, but the final result from facelift surgery is evaluated 4-6 months later. Numbness and firmness persist for several months but do not affect appearance. Light exercise is permitted at 3-4 weeks and vigorous exercise can be resumed 6 weeks after surgery.

What are the risks of facelift surgery?

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal and you will have to weigh the potential benefits in achieving your goals with the risks and potential complications of facelift surgery. Only you can make that decision for yourself.You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

Facelift risks, while rare, include:

• Anaesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Prolonged swelling
• Poor wound healing and skin loss
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Unfavourable scarring
• Skin irregularities and discoloration
• Persistent pain
• Facial nerve injury with weakness
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications