Mr Omar Tillo
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Face Lift
At a Glance
A facelift is also known as a rhytidectomy or rhytidoplasty. A facelift is a broad category which refers to a number of procedures that will change the look of the upper face and lower face, including cheeks, jowls, and neck. The procedure entails incisions placed in front of and behind the ear.
A facelift surgery is mainly popular for being able to stop the ageing process, at least when it comes to the aesthetic aspect. A facelift is a surgical procedure that involves facial skin tightening to remove those wrinkles, and give the face a younger look.
Even though no one is able to reverse time, signs of ageing can be prevented by removing any trace of excess fat and skin and straighten the facial muscles. This intervention can be performed as an individual operation or in combination with other similar procedures, such as nose reshaping or eyelid surgery.
Anaesthesia type: Local Procedure time: 3 - 4 hours Recovery time: 1 weekAbout
There are many benefits to undertaking a facelift, including:
Skin tightening:Loose facial skin can make a person appear a lot older than they actually are, while taut facial skin is a sign of youthful vitality. The latest facelift techniques can completely remove loose skin from the lower face and neck creating a more revitalised appearance
Wrinkle reduction: The appearance of wrinkles can be reduced when the skin is tightened during the facelift process.
Repositioning of facial fat: At times a facial contour that is undesirable is a result of fat deposits in the face. Our surgical technique includes repositioning of fat deposits to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing facial contour. Facial fat grafting can also be performed to create extra volume.
Eyelid surgery is the most common surgical procedures for facial rejuvenation. It can also be combined with a facelift. Facelifts are performed with blepharoplasty in about 70% of all cases. While a facelift focuses on the cheeks, jowls and neck area, eyelid surgery addresses other issues that may affect your appearance.
Reasons for having eyelid surgery in conjunction with a facelift include:
- Puffiness around the eyes that make you look older than you actually are.
- Hooded eyelids that make you look fatigued, even if you are full of energy.
- Hooded eyelids that are affecting your eyesight and your ability to see
- Sagging skin and wrinkles under the eyes.
There are two types of blepharoplasty surgeries. Depending on your needs and goals, you may need one or both performed:
Upper Blepharoplasty: Surgery on the upper eyelid involves the removal of excessively stretched skin that can cause multiple wrinkles or hooding on the eyelash line. If there is an underlying droopiness of the lid, a muscle repair can be performed through the incision at the same time.
Lower Blepharoplasty: During surgery on the lower eyelid, the surgeon will redistribute the fat within the lower eyelid, which removes the appearance of bags and under-eye puffiness. By addressing these problems at the same time as a facelift, a greater portion of the face can be rejuvenated, providing a more enhanced appearance. Another procedure that can be employed is a brow lift, in order to minimise wrinkles on the forehead. The best way to determine if this procedure is appropriate in conjunction with a facelift is to discuss it with our surgeons during your consultation.
Candidates
The best candidates for a facelift procedure are men and women with a face and neck that are starting to look older, but with an elastic skin and a very well defined bone structure. Even though most patients are around 40 to 60, facelift can be successfully performed in patients between 70 and 80 as well.
A facelift with our surgeons will restore a more youthful appearance, helping to correct many of the visible signs of ageing in the face and neck area. Reasons for having a facelift include:
- Sagging in the mid-face area
- Deep creases below the lower eyelids
- Deep creases along the nose extending down to the corner of the mouth
- Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin area, resulting in a “double chin” or “turkey neck”
- Facial fat that is displaced or drooping, creating exaggerated jowls
There are other factors that help determine if you are a good candidate for facelift surgery, including:
Good health: You should be in good health and be free of any major medical conditions prior to your surgery. This is key for proper healing and recovery after your procedure.
Most importantly, you should have realistic expectations about your goals for surgery. Ideally, you want to look like a revitalised, refreshed version of yourself. The best way to determine if you’re a candidate for a facelift is to schedule a consultation with one of our specialist facial surgeons.
If you are a good candidate, you may wish to explore what finance options we have available.
Procedure
There are various facelifts which you can choose to undertake. These include:
The full facelift: the patient will have excess skin on the face and jaw lifted, pulled back and trimmed, giving them a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.
The mid facelift: this lifts the eyelids and cheek area. Patients often choose to combine this procedure with a mini facelift.
The mini facelift: targets the lower third of the face, tightening excess skin from the cheeks, jowls and neck.
We also perform the MACS facelift. Short for Minimal Access Cranial Suspension, the MACS facelift involves a shorter incision and removes mild sagging skin from the cheeks and jowls.
You will be able to return home the same day as your facelift procedure is performed.
You may also be suitable for a necklift. A necklift is a surgical procedure commonly used to tighten and smooth out neck skin which makes you look more youthful, radiant and relaxed. Sometimes neck liposuction is performed at the same time to enhance the results further.
Recovery
A large, soft dressing will be taped in place on the face. These first dressings are extremely important and should be left in place for the exact duration recommended by the surgeon, usually a day or two. It can then be removed and replaced by an elastic covering that will help to contain and reduce swelling.
You will experience some swelling and bruising for 24 to 48 hours following the surgery but it is part of the healing process and it should lessen within two weeks. We recommend our patients to try cold compression on the face to aid with the swelling and bruising.
FAQs
The traditional facelift is performed by making an incision on the hair or hairline which is used to lift, pull back and trim excess skin to create a tightened appearance.
Whereas the mini facelift surgery has a smaller incision along the hairline and in front of the ears with which the plastic surgeon tightens fibrous tissues under the skin.
A facelift is offered to both men and women with most patients aged between 40-60, the time when most people start seeing signs of ageing. Nevertheless, the procedure can also be successfully performed on people aged between 70-80.
The right option for you can be determined by looking at the area of the neck. Mini facelift is ideal for people who have minimal issues on the face and neck area and do not expect to see drastic changes. However, if you wish to get rid of as many signs of ageing as possible with visible results, then facelift is a better option.
Quit smoking ideally few weeks before your procedure. Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can cause bleeding.
The procedure can take up to three hours for completion.
Most people do not feel any pain throughout the procedure while there are few who might feel mild pain and pain medication can be taken to reduce any discomfort.
Scars are unavoidable when incisions are made, however, because the incision for facelift is made within natural folds found in the front, inside and behind your ears there won’t be any visible scarring. At Centre for Surgery, we use the finest sutures that will make the scars fade away.
There are rarely any major risks associated with facelift other than the most common potential risks such as bleeding, scarring, infection and poor healing. With maximum safety optimisation, these risks can be completely avoided.
You will experience some swelling and bruising for 24 to 48 hours following the surgery but it is part of the healing process and it should lessen within two weeks. We recommend our patients to try cold compression on the face to aid with the swelling and bruising.
A large, soft dressing will be taped in place on the face. These first dressings are extremely important and should be left in place for the exact duration recommended by the surgeon, usually a day or two. It can then be removed and replaced by an elastic covering that will help to contain and reduce swelling. Cold compression is recommended to help reduce the swelling and bruising.
The results of facelift surgery are long-lasting, however, the ageing process cannot be stopped and will affect it making it difficult to tell how long the results will last as everyone ages differently.
Unfortunately, a facelift cannot stop the ageing process and neither can it change the quality of your skin. Nevertheless, a facelift can give you a younger and refreshed appearance after the procedure.
Unfortunately sun damaged skin cannot be treated with facelifts, however, we do offer skincare treatments that can help.
Why choose us?
Surgeon-led and managed care throughout for a truly personalised approach
Our innovative ClearSleep anaesthesia technique
Comprehensive aftercare programme
Financing options available
Our Consultant Surgeons
Verified Patient Reviews
We searched for many different surgeries to perform my procedure but the center for surgery really stuck out. The staff were incredibly friendly and the receptionist Gregory and surgeon Omar were highly professional, welcoming and made me feel at ease. Would highly recommend to anyone!
Dexter Montgomery
20:14 25 Apr 18
Old implants removed and replaced, plus silicone granules removed from right armpit. My previous surgery was done over 20 years ago. (I never really had any breast tissue, so I had the implants to look normal). One implant had erupted and both had capsulated. I was never told they had a shelf life! When I first arrived at the clinic in Watford, ( I never went to th Harley St surgery) I was quite dubious about the whole set-up. The Surgery is right in the middle of a Business Site and it seemed like some sort of Back Street Butchery. (I hope this review will put people's minds at rest when they first arrive) It actually didn't help much that I had to wait an hour because the surgery that day had overrun, however, after talking to Omar Tillo and seeing how clued up he was on my situation, I began to relax. It didn't stop me going on-line to Google him and everything else about the practice, but it was all good. On the day of the surgery, I met with Mr Tillo again. I also met everyone else who was going to be in theatre with me and they all came to me individually to explain their roll. It was very comforting and reassuring. The surgery was quite lengthy and took several hours. I hadn't decided what size implants to go for pre surgery as my old ones were so distorted and out of place, so I left it with Mr Tillo to make the decision once the others had been removed. It is now 3 weeks since the implants were replaced and I am delighted with how I look and feel. The size and shape are perfect for me. Nothing weird or huge; I'm on the wrong side of 50 now so am not looking for glamour, just normality. The post surgery is superb. My coordinator, Naz, is very efficient and can't do enough for me. The incision in my armpit where the silicone particles had to be removed is probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole procedure, but most of you won't have to worry about that. I got a sick note for work purposes without any fuss at all, so over all; worth every penny! Don't let your first impressions put you off :-) Good luck.
Nina
14:43 02 Jun 18
Had a BA and uplift with Mr Tillo amazing MR Tillo knew what I wanted the staff where so lovely and looked after me the after care is excellent I would definitely recommend centre for surgery and would go again I’m so pleased thank you so much
Dee Catton
10:09 15 May 18
If you don't know about Omar tillo you should HES AMAZING at his job.. I went for bbl and at present I'm 9 days post op and loving my results. I must also review gregory .. my co ordinator .. Gregory your one of the most wonderful people out there you hsve gone above and beyond for me to make sure The dates the times were right just for me .. this is an AMAZING company with AMAZING staff.. so much so I'm going for a consultation in 8 weeks for breast surgery ...
Bryanna buswell
11:39 23 May 18
Highly recommend. Very professional and friendly staff.Had my BA and everything went smooth and good. I would choose this place over and over again for all the plastic surgeries.
Melania Ciurea
13:45 13 Mar 18
I had a tummy tuck 2 weeks and 4 days ago. It is something I had been considering for a whilst now that I have completed my family. Also the excess skin and fat was getting me down. I went to another consultation in Harley Street which was 15 mins where the Dr examined me and told me he could do the work and his secretary than called me with the price, it was very rushed. I found Dr Tillo searching the net and after reading his reviews I called his office and spoke with Naz, she was very friendly, explained their procedures and arranged an appointment for me to meet with him. I met Dr Tillo in his Watford clinic, I felt at ease with him straight away. Dr Tillo examined me and than explained what the procedure would involve. I had a few questions and he was very patient and explained everything fully and clearly, I never felt rushed at all.On the day of my operation I was excited. Dr Tillo’s staff were All lovely and so was the anethesist who explained everything and next thing I knew I was asleep. When I woke up it didn’t even feel as if though I had had an operation! My husband picked me up , I was given pain killers and it was explained that I would need to keep my compression belt on and drains would be removed after two days.I went home a very happy lady!!!As days have passed I have healed very well with no complications, I am so pleased with my new tummy, I know it’s good esp since my 3 year old doesn’t think there’s a baby in there anymore!I cannot Thank Dr Tillo and his staff enough!!
Hanna
17:13 19 Jul 18
Dr Tillo and his team are fantastic. Nothing has been too much for them!!I was told my tummy tuck would cost £17,000 at one clinic and £13,000 at another. It was considerably cheaper here. I'm not one to go for 'the cheaper options usually, as I tend to think you would get a cheaper result. But Dr Tillo pointed out that I didn't need all the work doing that the other places had said I did!! They were using my body to make money! Due to his honesty, and his non judgemental view, I left feeling confident that he was the man I needed.I am only a week out and thrilled to bits with my result so far. I can't recommend them enough.
Rachel Irwin
08:33 16 Aug 18
Very welcoming and professional, Mr Tillo,his team and Nikesh the PA.
Joshua Alexander
12:22 17 Aug 18
Honestly, I was supposed to have a surgery at another private hospital (this hospital was supposed to be one of the best in london) but I chose to get my surgery done at center for surgery instead, my main reason for this was the level of service I recieved, the staff are very professional, they are caring (I had not eaten the entire day on the day of my surgery and one of the nurses got me some food without me asking her to do so. My surgery itself was amazing considering I never had one before and was a bit nervous beforehand. The staff calls you everyday to make sure you are ok and coping post surgery. Honestly I cannot thank the staff enough.
Frazer Gonsalves
23:45 26 Oct 18
