Facelift surgery in Leeds

Why choose Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital for my facelift?

Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital has been providing outstanding private healthcare to people in Yorkshire since 2002. Our modern hospital and advanced facilities allow us to offer treatment that's quick, safe and effective.

From your initial cosmetics consultation through to your facelift surgery and recovery, you'll receive all the care you need. You'll stay in your own private room with en-suite and Wi-Fi. Family and friends are welcome to visit during the day whenever you like and car parking at the hospital is free. Additional services include an in-house pharmacy and patient taxi service.

Thinking about having a facelift? Why not come to one of our free open events in Leeds. You'll meet a consultant and find out if this cosmetic surgery procedure is right for you.

What to expect from facelift surgery:

• A facelift is usually performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes 2 - 3 hours
• The surgical technique will depend on what area of the face and neck are being lifted
• SMAS facelift - Your surgeon will make an incision on both sides of your face in the hairline around your ears. They will cut under the deeper layer of tough tissue (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system or SMAS layer), lifting and tightening it. Your surgeon will then tighten the skin towards your ears and remove any excess skin
• MACS facelift - The MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) face lift involves a smaller incision eliminating any scarring behind the ear. Your surgeon will tighten the SMAS layer with special suspension stitches to avoid cutting underneath it. MACS face lift involves less surgery but the results may not last as long as an SMAS facelift
• Mid-facelift - A mid facelift addresses the area below your lower eyelids over the cheekbone. Your surgeon will make small cuts along your hairline and either inside your mouth or in your lower eyelid. They will use special surgical instruments and stitches to lift the cheeks
• Once you have recovered from the anaesthetic, you will be encouraged to sit up in bed
• Sitting upright will help to reduce some of the swelling
• Your face is likely to feel tight and tender around the ears
• However, there should not be any severe pain and this will be controlled with simple analgesia
• You may feel drowsy following surgery. Expect to wake up and doze off for the remainder of the day
• You may have a bandage around your head and under your chin after surgery
• We will remove it the day after your surgery
• Small, thin tubes (drains) may be temporarily inserted in the wounds. You are likely to stay in hospital overnight
• You may be given a support garment to wear after your bandages are removed. We will show you how to put this on.

Going home after facelift surgery at our Leeds Hospital

• You may experience swelling and bruising following surgery
• You may feel tightness when opening your mouth
• Your surgeon may ask you to sleep upright for the first few days to keep swelling to a minimum
• Your stitches can be removed after 10 - 14 days
• Discuss returning to work with your surgeon
• At around 4 weeks you will be feeling more like your “normal” self 
• However the full effect of a facelift may not be visible for 6 - 9 months post surgery.

Specific complications of a facelift can include:

• Loss of skin or hair
• Developing a collection of blood under the skin
• Developing pale or dark areas on your face
• Damage to the facial nerve
• Cosmetic problems.