Facelift Surgery

The operation takes 3-5 hours depending on the extent in each case and is done under general anaesthesia. One nights hospitalisation is generally required. Following the operation your face will be covered by a well padded dressing for 24 hours.  Your face may feel strange and a little tight and pain along the incision lines is minor. Simple pain relief prescribed should adequately deal with this.

Generally you will require 1 nights in hospital.  In some cases surgery can be performed on a day stay basis.  The first night is usually spent with the face bandaged but a day or so later the bandages are removed and the operation inspected and redressed.

Considerable bruising and swelling over the first week or so may be encountered. Expect this to settle rapidly at least by the second week. You will have stitches along the incisions. Dr Drielsma will remove these at about 7 days. Generally speaking you will be confident and happy to engage in social contact 3 weeks post-operatively.

About 10 years. After the surgery the ageing process continues at its natural rate. Some patients do request a repeat operation some 10 years later – it is usually no more difficult than before.

As with any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of complications.  Surgery and anaesthesia is very safe and it is most unlikely you will experience any difficulty. However, there is a small chance that a minor complication such as bleeding or infection may occur.

It is important to note that while scarring is typically minimal, it may take up to two years to fully mature. There is a possibility of experiencing tightness and tethering around the earlobe due to scarring. Additionally, scarring behind the ear may present as lumpy and potentially cause discomfort for several months. Scarring in front of the ear can also lead to tightness, though such occurrences are relatively uncommon.

Regarding swelling and bruising, it is important to understand that these are common postoperative symptoms and their severity can vary significantly among patients. The extent of bruising and swelling can range from almost imperceptible to quite pronounced. Typically, most swelling and bruising will subside within the first one to two weeks, although some cases may take longer to resolve.

Patients should anticipate a gradual relaxation in the tightness of their facial skin as the residual swelling diminishes. It is also important to be aware that stretching of the skin due to postoperative swelling is a minor and inevitable consequence of the procedure, usually resolving within approximately three months. During this period, some return of fine wrinkles may be observed.

It is always advisable for patients to have detailed discussions with their surgeon regarding these aspects to set realistic expectations and understand the postoperative healing process.