Face Lift & Neck Lift
Your complete guide and quick links to everything you want to know about a Face Lift and Neck Lift in Sydney!
The Progressive Signs of Facial Ageing
As we age, our skin progressively loses its elasticity and starts to sag causing laxity, folds, and wrinkles. The deeper soft tissues of the face, namely the fat and muscle layers, also develop laxity and contribute to this downward migration of tissues.
These changes produce the following common signs of facial ageing:
- Brows descend and contribute to a ‘heavy’ or ‘hooded’ appearance of the upper eyelids.
- Cheek fat pads descend leaving ‘hollows’ across the mid-face that create a ‘drawn’ and ‘tired’ look.
- Lower face skin laxity creates looseness around the jawline with jowls, furrows and folds.
- Neck skin also becomes progressively looser and ultimately develops horizontal and vertical folds.
The net result of all this is an older, drawn and ‘tired look’ with loss of its former youthful firmness.
The GOOD NEWS, HOWEVER, is that a Face & Neck Lift can reverse all the above changes and make your face look fresher and more youthful.
The Different Types of Face Lift
1. Mini Face Lift
A Mini Face Lift is all that is required if your facial ageing is not advanced, and your neck skin laxity does not extend below the level of the thyroid cartilage (your ‘Adam’s Apple’). It is a less extensive but an equally rejuvenating procedure that will leave your facial skin looking noticeably fresher and tighter.
2. Traditional Face Lift
A Traditional Face Lift is more extensive than a Mini Lift. It is indicated when there is significant skin laxity on both the face and upper neck.
3. Deep Plane Face Lift
This is a very specialised type of Face Lift that can deliver a more youthful and more natural-looking rejuvenation than a Traditional Face & Neck Lift.
However, not all face lift surgeons are able to offer a true, extended Deep Plane Face Lift. At Sydney Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Clinic, our Dr Honeybrook is one of only a few select surgeons in Australia qualified to perform a true, extended Deep Plane Facelift. This is because Dr Honeybrook trained in the United States with pioneers of the technique, including Dr Andrew Jacono and Dr Kevin Duplechain
In contrast to a Traditional SMAS Face Lift, an extended Deep Plane Face Lift involves elevating and lifting the skin and its underlying muscle layers together as a combined flap, thereby leaving the skin attached to its underlying muscle layer. This approach reduces the risk of an over-tight, unnatural appearance – the so-called ‘wind-tunnel look’ – from over-tightened skin!
The Deep Plane Facelift technique repositions the heaviness of the lower face and jowls upwards to the midface and cheeks. This results in a youthful, refreshed and very natural-looking rejuvenation without the unnatural ‘windswept’ appearance when skin has been overtightened.
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
In summary, the benefits of a Deep Plane Face Lift over a Traditional Face Lift include:
- A more natural-looking rejuvenation.
- Longer lasting results of 10-15 years compared to 7-10 years.
- Restoration of natural volume and elevation of the cheeks.
- Less noticeable face lift scars that do not separate or migrate over time.
- ‘Softer’ facial folds.
- Smoother skin contours.
- Suitable for both males and females.
- Can be performed at any age from 30s to 70s.
4. Deep Neck Lift
A Deep Neck Lift is an excellent option for those who have neck skin looseness but still a well-defined cheek and jawline contour. Individuals with good skin elasticity make better candidates than those with ‘crepey’ neck skin.
The usual incisions in a Traditional Face & Neck Lift are typically made in front of the temporal hairline, in front and behind the ears, with an extension along the occipital hairline for correction of the neck.
In contrast, a Deep Neck Lift often avoids the latter incisions. Usually, a Deep Neck Lift requires only one incision carefully concealed in the crease underneath the chin. Through this incision, Dr Honeybrook is able to rework the deep muscle layers and fibrous tissues of the neck to effectively restore the neckline contour. Only when there is a lot of loose neck skin will an additional incision be required behind the ears.
The reshaping of the deep foundation of the neck is the hallmark of this technique.
Please note, however, that because this procedure does not include the incisions around the ears that are performed during a traditional face lift, it may not fully address sagging and laxity in the lower face and jowl areas. In such situations, Dr Honeybrook will often recommend a Deep Plane Face Lift in addition to the Deep Neck Lift.
Determining whether a Deep Neck Lift is appropriate for you involves more than just a consideration of your age. Age is not the sole factor that causes an undefined neckline. Individuals of any age may experience this issue. Some individuals in their 20s and 30s can show signs of neck ageing earlier than others, even if their jawline contour is still well-defined.
The ideal candidates for this procedure are typically non-smokers, in good health, have a BMI of 30 or lower, and minimal skin looseness.
At your initial consultation, Dr Honeybrook will assess whether a Deep Neck Lift is the correct choice for you. Dr Honeybrook may even suggest combining the Deep Neck Lift with other procedures such Buccal Fat Pad Removal, Chin Implant, or other facial procedure in order to deliver a more comprehensive and harmonious rejuvenation.
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
Watch Our ‘Mini-Facelift’ Animation Video
Watch Our ‘Full Face Lift’ Animation Video
How Is A Face Lift Done?
- In the best interests of patient comfort and safety, all Face Lifts are performed in a Licensed Hospital under General Anaesthesia administered by our Specialist Anaesthetist.
- Under General Anaesthesia, you will be fully asleep and pain-free.
- Depending on the type of Face Lift, your surgery will take anywhere between 2 and 5 hours.
- Your Face Lift begins with your Surgeon making the incisions along the pre-operative markings and then carefully dissecting and repositioning the facial tissues.
- The incisions are then closed.
- Dressings are applied over the incisions and over those a soft, cotton crepe bandage.
- A Post-Operative Compression Garment may need to be worn for a limited period.
- After a short stay in Recovery, you will be transferred to your hospital room for an overnight or short hospital stay depending on the extent of your surgery.
Recovery After A Face Lift
- Swelling & Skin Discolouration: Swelling and bruising after surgery are to be expected. They will subside over the ensuing weeks.
- Pain: Is usually mild only and easily controlled by pain relievers. Many patients express surprise as to how much less than expected their discomfort is.
- Removal of Sutures: Sutures and any staples in the hair are generally removed 7-10 days after surgery.
- Driving is not recommended in the first 2 weeks after your surgery because of the head and neck turning movements involved.
- Wearing Glasses & Contact Lenses: Contact lenses may be worn the day after surgery. Spectacles can be worn as soon as the pressure bandage is removed.
- Hair & Body Care: You may shower your body on the 3rd post-operative day but do not wet your face or hair until the 5th post-operative day.
You may wash your hair in a shower with lukewarm water on the 5th day, or just before your appointment to have your stitches removed. Hair colouring should be deferred until 4 weeks after your surgery. - Household Activities: Once back at home, you can be up and about but only do those usual activities that are within the limits of your comfort. In particular, do not bend over, lift heavy items, or engage in strenuous chores in the first 2 weeks after surgery.
- Clothing: Avoid clothing that must be pulled over the head for one week after your procedure. Wear clothing that fastens at the front or the back.
- Returning To Work & Social Activities: Your return to work will depend on the amount of physical activity involved, people-contact your job involves, and the amount of swelling and discolouration you develop. Most patients can return to work or go out socially 3 weeks after surgery when the swelling and discolouration have largely disappeared.
- Resumption of Physical Activities: Avoid swimming, strenuous activities or exercises that involve turning the head for 6 weeks.
Face Lift ‘Before & After’
Mini Face Lift
Traditional Full Face Lift
Deep Plane Face Lift
PLEASE NOTE: All the following results are examples of the Deep Plane Facelift technique by Dr Adam Honeybrook, one of only a few select surgeons in Australia qualified to perform a true, extended Deep Plane Facelift after having trained with pioneering experts in the United States, including Dr Andrew Jacono in New York, and Dr Kevin Duplechain in Los Angeles.
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
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Deep Neck Lift
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(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
How Long Does The Correction Last?
As facial ageing is a natural, ongoing process that never stops, you will continue to age at your normal rate after the surgery. In other words, do not expect that your new ‘look’ will last indefinitely! On average, most Traditional Face Lifts can be expected to last around 7-10 years but Deep Plane Face Lifts usually last in the order of 10-15 years. In any event, they can be repeated earlier if you wish.
What Improvements Should You Realistically Expect?
Patients considering Face Lift Surgery often have pre-conceived expectations as to how they will look after the surgery. Accordingly, it is important to have realistic expectations as to what the surgery can, and cannot, achieve.
Realistically, the positive changes you can expect are:
- ‘Lift Surgery’, as the name applies, will effectively lift and tighten loose, saggy skin.
- Face Lift Surgery will not remove wrinkles or deep facial lines. If you wish to also correct specific wrinkles, you will need to consider non-surgical wrinkle treatments after your Face Lift.
- Face Lift surgery may improve, but will not totally remove, the ‘Smile Lines’ that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
- Face Lift & Neck Lift Surgery cannot make you look 20 years younger! Expect to look impressively fresher, more youthful, more attractive, and perhaps even some years younger than your chronological age, but you shouldn’t expect to look decades younger!
‘Pros & Cons’ of a Face Lift
The Pros:
- Face Lift Surgery enjoys a high patient satisfaction rate because of the dramatic rejuvenation it can deliver.
- In those with advanced facial ageing, a Face & Neck Lift may well be the only option. Non-surgical treatments alone cannot be expected to deliver an equivalent degree of overall rejuvenation.
- The improvement lasts for years.
- Today’s modern Face Lift techniques, coupled with the safety of anaesthesia nowadays, can make Face and Neck Lift Surgery a very worthwhile option.
- The final scars for most people end up white and inconspicuous. In any event, they can always be camouflaged with make-up.
The Cons:
- Face & Neck Lift Surgery will only lift and tighten loose, sagging skin. If you wish to also target specific facial wrinkles, you will need to consider non-surgical treatments after your Face Lift.
- As with any surgery, risks and potential complications do exist (see below). Your surgeon will discuss these with you at your Initial Consultation.
- Face & Neck Lift Surgery is not eligible for a Medicare Rebate nor is it covered by Private Health Insurance.
Potential Risks & Complications of a Face Lift
Specific to Face & Neck Lift Surgery:
- Post-operative bleeding with possible hematoma formation (a collection of blood under the skin) which if large, may require a return to theatre for removal.
- Infection of the incisions requiring topical wound care and antibiotics.
- Poor wound healing and skin loss, more likely in smokers and diabetics.
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation, usually temporary.
- Seroma (excess fluid accumulation under the skin) requiring one or more aspirations.
- Contour irregularities of the skin and discolouration.
- Facial nerve injury with weakness of the facial expression muscles.
- Temporary or permanent hair loss around any incisions within the hair.
- Wide or thickened scars (hypertrophic or keloid) could occur if you are prone to them. Pigmented scars are more likely in those with brown or Asian skin.
- Sutures may spontaneously extrude through the skin or be palpable under the skin.
- Asymmetry between the two sides.
General Risks:
- Allergic reaction to medications, sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions.
- Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and its potential to cause life-threatening Pulmonary Embolism.
- Adverse Reactions to Anaesthesia or Medication: The safety of anaesthesia nowadays in Australia is well established. Nevertheless, potential risks exist with all anaesthesia and unexpected reactions can occur. These may include nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions ranging from minor to severe. Respiratory failure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke are rare but documented risks of any general anaesthesia.
Additional Procedures Often Included With A Face Lift
Not uncommonly, other facial procedures may be added to any of the foregoing varieties of Face Lift to deliver a more comprehensive and pleasing aesthetic result. These include:
- Eyelid Surgery: Upper and/or Lower Eyelid Surgery are common additions to many Face Lift procedures.
- Brow Lift: A Brow Lift may be recommended if the brow has significantly descended and is causing or contributing to ‘heaviness’ of the upper eyelids.
- Facial Liposuction: Irrespective of the type of Face Lift planned, if you also have excess fat deposits in the jowl areas or under the chin, you will benefit from liposuction to those areas at the same time.
- Facial Fat Grafting: To enhance facial features such as higher cheekbones, or restore areas of lost facial volume.
- Neck Lift: In patients with loose neck skin, a Deep Neck Lift may need to be included. This is done through a short, inconspicuous incision under the point of the chin.
The Cost of Face & Neck Lift Surgery in Sydney
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Face & Neck Lift Surgery
The total cost of Face & Neck Lift Surgery in Sydney will be made up of the following individual costs:
- Surgical Fee:
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Deep Plane Facelift & Deep Neck Lift from $20,000
Any additional procedures such as facial liposuction, eyelid surgery, brow lift, etc will incur additional surgical fees to the above.
- Hospital Fee: Hospitals differ in their hourly rates for Operating Theatres and In-Patient Fees should you need to stay in hospital after your procedure. Your surgeon will advise you of the expected hospital costs once it has been determined which hospital you will be attending, how long your procedure will take, and how long you will need to in hospital.
- Anaesthetist Fee: This will basically depend on the duration of your surgery. Anaesthetic Fees are generally around $880/hour.
- Post-Operative Support Garment