A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that can improve the most visible signs of the ageing process by eliminating excess fat, tightening and elevating the muscles beneath the skin of the face and by removing or repositioning sagging skin.
Facelift Surgery
At our world-class cosmetic surgery clinic in London
Experience
Surgeons with over 20 years experience
Close contact
Open communication at all times
Support
Your wellbeing is our priority
What is a facelift?
At Karidis Clinic, all face lift (rhytidectomy) surgery procedures are carried out by one of the best-known facelift surgeons in London, Mr Alex Karidis. For UK-leading consultancy, aftercare and results, get in touch today.
It is very common for this procedure to be performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty, a brow lift, or a neck lift, to balance and complement the newly rejuvenated face. A well-performed facelift should revitalise the face without distorting or changing one’s facial features. If you would like to know more about rhytidectomy, give our London clinic a call and we can arrange a consultation.
Karidis offer expert cosmetic surgery and aftercare in London, from some of the best, most highly skilled medical professionals. Our facelift before and after images highlight our exceptional results
Quick Reference
Duration
2 - 3 hours
Driving
1 week
Anaesthesia used
General anaesthesia
Hospital Stay
1 night
Exercise
6 weeks
Final Result
6 - 9 months
Pre admission tests
Blood tests, MRSA, +/- ECG
Addresses
Sagging jawline and neck
Downtime
2 - 3 weeks
What our clients say about us
Patient Stories
Emma
Facelift
“The effect on my confidence over the years has been profound. I wouldn’t have a summer wedding because I didn’t want to get married in the full sun. When I meet new people I often sit there with my chin in my hands so I can cover my lower face. I’m incredibly self-conscious.”
Our facelift surgeons
What to expect from your procedure
Some key information for what to expect in the lead up to, and during your procedure can be found below. We ensure our patients have all the support they need but if you do have further questions these will be addressed at your initial consultation.
The consultation
Before you undergo any cosmetic surgery procedure at Karidis Clinic, you will have a consultation and a pre-operative assessment with your plastic surgeon. They will listen carefully to your concerns and what you expect to achieve and discuss which procedure, or combination of procedures, is appropriate.
At this stage, they will also ensure you are fully aware of the potential risks and complications inherent in that specific procedure and explain to you what you can expect immediately after surgery, throughout the recovery process, and when you will likely see the final results.
During the pre-operative assessment, the surgeon may take measurements of the area to be operated on and assess your skin tissue quality and the degree of skin laxity. The position of the incisions will also be decided upon.
A full medical history will be taken to ensure you are fit and well and can undergo surgery at this time.
After the initial consultation, there will be a two-week ‘cooling-off’ period before you can decide to proceed with surgery. You are welcome to return for further consultations with your Karidis Clinic surgeon, free of charge, if you have more questions.
Leading up to the procedure
If you make the decision to proceed with surgery, you’ll be given advice on how best to prepare for your operation, and you will have a dedicated Patient Coordinator who can answer any queries you may have.
Any pre-surgery tests can occur at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, a leading London private hospital where Karidis Clinic is based. The hospital has recently built a new wing including a diagnostic department with the latest X-ray, MRI, CT and ultrasound technology.
We advise patients to stop smoking as soon as possible as nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which impedes the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the surgical site. This can slow down healing, increase the chance of infection and even cause tissue to die. Smoking also increases the risks of a general anaesthetic, and smokers are more likely to suffer ill effects from an anaesthetic.
You will also be advised when to discontinue taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication in advance of your operation. You will be asked to fast six hours before surgery.
On the day
All Karidis Clinic procedures are performed at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted and taken to your stylish and luxurious private room with its spacious ensuite bathroom.
The nursing team will take your blood pressure and relevant vitals, and you will see your Karidis Clinic surgeon, who will make the final mark-ups. Our anaesthetist will also visit you.
Clinical photography will be taken to assist in your care and to enable clinical assessments to be made. These become part of your confidential medical record. These include photographs of the operation site and any distinguishing features and will be taken pre-op and post-op.
Your procedure will be performed under a general anaesthetic, and once the surgeon has sutured the incision site, you will be taken to a specialist recovery room.
Treatment recovery
Once the hospital nursing team has ensured your recovery is complete, you will be taken to your hospital room for your overnight stay. The hospital nursing team will be on hand throughout the night, and you will be fitted with compression stockings and a compression device if required.
The following day, you will be visited by your Karidis Clinic surgeon or nurse and then discharged into the care of a friend or family member by the hospital nursing staff.
The pain and discomfort experienced after surgery are unique to the individual patient and the extent of their procedure. However, it should start to subside in the first week and should be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
If necessary, you’ll be advised to wear a specially designed surgical support garment for approximately six weeks after surgery to support you during the healing process.
Depending on the nature of your job, you can usually expect to be able to return to work and normal activities between one to two weeks.
You’ll be given a comprehensive plan for the recovery process, including dates for your cast or suture removal and your check-ups with your Karidis Clinic surgeon. However, we are always on hand throughout this period, and you have access to our dedicated surgical nurse 24/7 if you have any concerns.
FAQS FOR FACELIFT
What is a facelift?
Are there different types of facelift?
Yes. The facelift, in general, can be separated into 3 different types depending on the area of the face that will be addressed. The ‘standard’ or ‘classic’ facelift which most people refer to usually addresses the jawline, jowls and neck region. This is also called a Lower facelift or neck lift and is by far the most common type of Facelift that is performed.
Read more about Lower Facelift and Neck Lift. Another type of Facelift is the Brow or Forehead lift which addresses sagging of the forehead and brow tissues. Read more about the Brow Lift.
A less common type of facelift is called the mid facelift which primarily addresses any flattening or sagging in a very specific area of the face comprising the cheek region below the eyelids and the area adjacent to the nose and nose to mouth lines.
Read more about the Mid Facelift. Although a mid facelift may be performed as a stand-alone procedure many times this is usually performed in combination with a ‘regular’ or lower face or neck lift.
What is a full facelift as opposed to a partial facelift?
A full facelift is usually applied when more than one area of the face is lifted i.e. a lower facelift and a brow lift, whereas a partial facelift addresses a specific part of the face i.e. just the neck region. In addition, many people include any eyelid surgery performed simultaneously in the term full facelift.
Of course, depending on your circumstances, it is not necessary to have a full facelift when in fact you only need for example to just have your neck addressed. At your consultation, Mr Karidis will analyse your requirements and discuss this accordingly.
What are the advantages of a full facelift?
The key point in answering this question is whether you actually ‘need’ a full facelift or if you could just do with i.e. a lower facelift. Of course, this will be determined and discussed with you at your consultation. Should it seem appropriate to perform a full facelift, some people do prefer to have this done in one surgery.
This is because they will have only one recovery, one hospital admission and there will also be a financial saving due to one admission. However, not everyone is happy with the thought of doing everything at once and thus some prefer to do it in stages. This will be decided at your consultation.
Will I look unnatural after my facelift?
Everybody has seen bad plastic surgery. You can spot it immediately. Instead of enhancing someone’s looks, the results almost certainly detract. Nobody wants to look like they’ve had plastic surgery. All surgery carried out by Mr Karidis is performed to bring a patient within a broad range of average or normal criteria.
Mr Karidis avoids the overcorrected or ‘designer’ look. He takes pride in achieving natural well-balanced results and not ones that leave a patient looking contrived or artificial. However, it is still very important that during your consultation, your requirements are always made clear to him.
How much does facelift surgery cost?
Facelift surgery requires a surgeon fee, an anaesthetist fee and a hospital fee. The price also includes all of your pre-operative and post-operative care. The cost may vary slightly depending on your unique requirements, but we will give you a detailed quotation following your consultation.
For more information on what our surgical fees cover, please click here.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR CONSIDERING PLASTIC SURGERY
Related surgeries and treatments we offer
Mr Alex Karidis performs cosmetic surgery aimed at rejuvenating the face, reshaping the body or enhancing the breasts. “I offer the full range of procedures because I have the breadth of training required. Having performed over 20,000 procedures over the last 25 years, our patients get the absolute maximum in terms of expertise.
Necklift Surgery
This procedure is often performed in conjunction with another surgery (such as eyelid or forehead).
Wrinkle Treatments
Forehead wrinkles, or frown lines, are one of the most prevalent signs of ageing and are a common cause for concern as they can make you look tired or cross when you aren’t.
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids.
Related posts and expert insights
Here at the Karidis clinic, our blog is updated regularly to provide you with the most recent trends and insights in the industry. Stay informed by reading our blog articles related to Facelift Surgery.