Facelift Sydney

Facelift

Through facelift surgery, it is possible to improve visible signs of ageing of the neck and face.

A facelift can help to address a number of issues, including sagging of the facial skin, particularly in the mid-face; deep creases below the lower eyelids; deep creases along the nose which then extend down to the corner of the mouth, descent of facial fat, facial volume loss with redistribution of facial fat lower down the face than in youth; and sagging and loss of definition of the jawline and neck skin.

Surgery is all about anatomy and our ability to manoeuvre tissue without causing damage to critical nerves and organs. When performing a facelift, knowledge of the anatomy of the facial nerve is crucial.

What Is A Facelift?

A facelift means different things to different people, hence why there are so many different variations of a facelift.

The 3 critical areas in order people want to be addressed are:

  • Neck
  • Jowls
  • Midface/ Nasolabial fold

A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to achieve a more refreshed and revitalized appearance for the face and neck. Dr Moradi tailors every procedure to suit each patient's needs to ensure the best possible outcome.

The Facelift procedure could range from a mini facelift to a standard facelift with additional procedures on top of that, such as a brow lift, liposuction of the neck, or eyelid surgery. Some patients will benefit from combined surgery of the face, neck and eyelids to balance the facial and neck features. In these cases, if a patient were to only proceed with one particular area, they may notice the other areas are out of proportion in comparison. Dr Moradi will advise the various options and help patients to make decisions in planning their surgical procedure.

The incision for the facelift is made behind the hairline and above the ear, extending down behind the ear, where it will be easily hidden in the hair. Surgery is all about anatomy and the ability to manoeuvre tissue without causing damage to critical nerves and organs. When performing a facelift, knowledge of the anatomy of the facial nerve is crucial.

The facial nerves come out through a hole in the base of the skull just behind the ear and divide into 5 terminal branches responsible for muscles of facial expression. The branches most at risk during a facelift are the lower branches to the lip and cheek muscles.

Dr Moradi will tighten the muscles in the neck, then the facial skin is lifted and the excess skin is trimmed away. In some cases, Dr Moradi will create an incision under the chin to further address loose or excess skin on the neck.

Variations Of A Facelift

What is the SMAS?⁠

The SMAS is an acronym for Superficial Musclo-Aponeurotic System. Essentially it is the fibrous layer in the face which plastic surgeons need to manipulate to lift the face. Once you lift the SMAS the skin follows.⁠ Skin only facelifts, such as thread lifts and "lunchtime" facelifts just don't have the support needed to hold the facelift up for a long time. A sub-SMAS dissection can help lift the jowl skin and create a more defined jawline.

There is no SMAS technique that is better than the other, it is all very surgeon dependent, Dr Moradi's preference is a sub-SMAS lift in the lower face combined with SMAS application for the mid-face to target the nasolabial fold.

Mini Facelift

 The Mini Facelift is a slightly less invasive surgery that will still rejuvenate your face. There will still need to be an incision just in front of the ear and hairline and Dr Moradi will still need to manipulate the SMAS layer and tighten the skin accordingly. Unlike a full face/neck lift you don't have the incision extending behind the ear and into the posterior hairline.

Neck Lift

Dr Moradi will need to tighten and lift the SMAS for the mid and lower face, he will need to tighten the platysma muscle to help contour the neck. Yet again, there are many different techniques used but Dr Moradi's preference is to dissect underneath the platysma muscle, dividing the medial bands and then pulling and anchoring the muscle to the bone behind the ear, like a really tight hammock. The skin will conform to the muscle, creating a firmer and more tightened appearance; this procedure can be paired with submental liposuction to enhance the ultimate outcome.

Facelift Results

Predicting Facelift Results

The final result is evident in 4 to 6 weeks or sooner with continued improvement for several months. An expertly performed facelift can set back the clock on your appearance by several years. These results will last around 5 to 10 years with proper care, good health and no significant weight fluctuations. This means you will continue to look several years younger than your actual age with proper care.

Facelift Recovery

Facelift surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure. It may involve local aesthetics and sedatives or general anaesthesia. The procedure can take from 2 to 5 hours, and the person can normally go home on the same day after surgery. A drain may be placed under the skin behind the ear for one or two days, to remove any excess blood and fluids. Bandages are applied.

Because facelift surgery is so individualised, every patient's recovery process will be different. You'll be very tired the day after surgery, as the effects of the anaesthesia wear off. You will need an adult caretaker with you the first 24 to 48 hours.

How much does a facelift cost?

Costs associated with a face lift vary depending on a number of factors:

  • Anaesthetist's fee
  • Private hospital or day surgical facility fees
  • Need for post-operative garments
  • Length of hospital stay
  • Whether you require liposuction or not
  • Surgical assistant's fee
  • Need for other facial plastic surgical procedures

After the consultation, Dr Moradi's staff will give you an itemised account of the total cost for the procedure. Due to the fact that a facelift is highly tailored and unique, the pricing will vary between patients.

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Facelifts are good fun but there's a lot of hand holding afterwards. Patient aftercare includes lymphatic massage, taking care of scars and so on.

DR POURIA MORADI

Dr Pouria Moradi - Your Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon

"I am a consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon working as a visiting medical officer at Prince of Wales, Royal Women's and Sydney Children's Hospitals, and an associate lecturer at UNSW Medical School.

Having studied medicine at UNSW as a Sam Cracknell Sport and Academic Scholar, I was then awarded Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2005 and Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery."