Pain after a deep plane facelift is usually minimal because the deeper layer (SMAS) is lifted after dividing its underlying attachments (retaining ligaments) which means the procedure is performed without the tension. This contrasts with older type SMAS facelifts where underlying release was limited which meant that tension in the face was more likely. Most deep plane facelift patients will say after surgery that it was not painful although some have a tight feeling in the neck initially which improves over the first few days as the swelling settles, usually resolving by a month. Patients undergoing facelift surgery with Mr Grover are sent home on Paracetamol which is usually all that is required to keep them comfortable

Most definitely yes. Nicotine within cigarette smoke is a potent vasoconstrictor (i.e. makes blood vessels constrict) which therefore reduces blood supply in the skin and increases the risk of infection and wound healing problems. Mr Grover will recommend having no nicotine for a minimum of two months before surgery and one month after. This includes cigarettes, cigars, nicotine inhaler, nicotine patches, nicotine chewing gum and vaping.

Facelifting puts the ageing clock back by 8-10 years on average, but of course, cannot stop it from ticking. Ten years after your facelift you will certainly have aged but will still look younger than if you did not have the surgery. Please remember that ageing is not a linear process but can occur in spurts which follow periods of stress, illness, or weight loss. Consequently, no surgeon can honestly predict exactly how long the improvement will last which is why the figure of 8-10 years is quoted as an honest average. There are some patients for whom the rejuvenation can be 15 years but equally some for whom it is less than the average because they may have suffered an ageing spurt. Mr Grover exclusively performs the Deep Plane Facelift technique which has been shown to have a greater longevity than other SMAS facelifting techniques.

The key to deep plane facelifting is repositioning the deeper layer (SMAS) without tension. This requires releasing the underlying attachments of the SMAS to its retaining ligaments. The SMAS is continuous with the platysma muscle in the neck which is the deeper layer of the neck that supports its shape. If a deep plane facelift is correctly performed and the retaining ligaments are released, then moving the SMAS automatically moves the platysma in the neck at the same time. In general, if a deep plane facelift is being performed it will automatically lift the neck so the two are inevitably a combined procedure.

The requirements for a successful facelift are that there has been gravitational descent and laxity within the soft tissues. Losing weight impacts the face as fat is lost from under the skin (superficial fat compartment). This can exaggerate the effects of gravitational descent as the face empties and also increases laxity. For both reasons losing weight before facelift surgery can help make the operation more effective. Conversely to loose significant weight after surgery is unhelpful and may cause some skin relaxation. If you are planning to lose weight please do it before facelift surgery and definitely not afterwards.