Facelift Sydney (Meloplasty)

A facelift can address excess skin and underlying muscles with a procedure plan considering each patient’s concerns. Depending on individual needs, a facelift can remove jowls, address fine lines and wrinkles and reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Dr Rastogi performs SMAS facelifts (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System), which combines the tightening of the underlying facial muscles with the overlying skin.

Outcomes

Dr Rastogi performs SMAS facelifts (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) which combines tightening of facial muscles with the overlying skin.

• The incisions are at the points where the face and hair merge. This is where your scars will be, and scar care will be provided post-operation
• Removing the excess skin around the jawline
• Results last between seven to10 years on average

Suitable candidates

If you want to address excess skin on the face and neck or concerns such as jowls, you may be a suitable facelift candidate.

To be considered as a suitable candidate, you will need to be in good overall health. A thorough evaluation of your suitability for the procedure will be conducted during your consultation. Contraindications to a facelift can include certain medical conditions, allergies and skin conditions.

It’s important that candidates have realistic expectations for the results of the procedure. During your consultation, you’ll discuss your reasons for undergoing the procedure and your expected results.

Suitable candidates should be willing to commit to post-operative and preparation instructions. Dr Rastogi will provide you with personalised instructions during your consultation, which can include to restrict activity levels, follow a healthy lifestyle and follow a skincare plan.

Ensuring your suitability for the procedure is important when it comes to minimising risks and preventing complications from occurring, both during and after the procedure.

Your facelift consultation

Your consultation for a facelift at our Double Bay clinic in Sydney will be split into two appointments.

Speaking with Dr Rastogi, your first consultation will be a 20 to 30 minute video call, followed by a second consultation in-person. Your second consultation will be the most thorough, taking about one to one-and-a-half-hours.

During the consultation process, you’ll discuss your motivations for undergoing the procedure, personal factors such as your health and your personal preferences. Dr Rastogi will determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the procedure and begin to discuss the details of a personalised treatment plan.

Dr Rastogi will also cover preparation and recovery details, explaining what to expect after your procedure and the instructions that may need to be followed. After discussing the details of your procedure plan, you can receive a personalised quote, detailing the total costs of your procedure.

Surgery preparation instructions

Before a facelift, it is essential to maintain good overall health. Dr Rastogi will provide personalised preparation instructions based on your needs and the procedure details.

You may be instructed to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption for a set period of time before your procedure to promote optimal healing. You will need to discuss any medications or supplements you are currently taking during your consultation, as certain substances may need to be temporarily discontinued before the procedure. This includes blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements that can affect blood clotting.

In the weeks leading up to your facelift, you should follow a well-balanced diet and stay hydrated to support your body’s healing ability. If you like, you can prepare your home for the post-operative recovery, creating a comfortable space to recuperate. You can stock up on necessary supplies, such as prescribed medications, ice packs, and other necessary items. We recommend organising someone to pick you up after your procedure and support you during the earlier days of your recovery.

The facelift procedure

Before your procedure, you’ll discuss the details of your personalised procedure plan during a consultation. Dr Rastogi will tailor the steps of the procedure to your needs and decide on the most appropriate techniques to use.

At the beginning of the surgery, patients are administered general anaesthesia. Incisions are then made, usually at the points where the face and hair meet. The placement and length of these incisions will be discussed during the consultation process, as they are where patients can expect their scars to be.

Once the incisions are made, the skin is carefully lifted and the underlying tissues may be repositioned or tightened. Depending on the patient’s needs, fat may be redistributed or removed. Dr Rastogi performs SMAS facelifts (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System), combining the tightening of the underlying facial muscles with the overlying skin. Excess skin may be removed before the incisions are carefully sutured closed. Patients will be monitored in the hospital immediately after the procedure.

You can discuss your personal needs during your consultation process so that Dr Rastogi can design the procedure accordingly.

Recovery and post-operative appointments

After a facelift, Dr Rastogi will provide you with personalised instructions to help you support your body’s healing process. You will also be able to discuss your recovery timeline and details of when to return to work, resume an exercise routine and resume other activities.

You’ll have a thorough consultation before your procedure so that you can prepare for your recovery. You may need to organise prescriptions, arrange for support during recovery and purchase items that you will need.

Following your procedure, you will need to organise for someone to pick you up from the hospital and support you during the earlier days of recovery. Activity can be limited, so having someone to assist you with certain tasks, such as household chores, is important.

Our team will be on call after hours if you need support during your recovery.

General recovery instructions

To manage swelling and bruising after your procedure, you can apply cold compresses as directed by Dr Rastogi. While getting plenty of rest, you should avoid bending over, lifting heavy objects, and engaging in activities that may strain the facial muscles. If possible, you should sleep with your head elevated, using an extra pillow to help reduce swelling. This is especially important during the initial days after surgery.

You should protect your face from direct sunlight throughout your recovery. We recommend applying an SPF 50+ sunscreen to prevent sun damage to healing skin. Drinking enough water and maintaining a nutritious diet will also help support your body’s healing process. You will need to refrain from smoking and limit alcohol intake during the recovery period, as these can impede the healing process. Dr Rastogi can specify the period of time that you will need to avoid these substances.

You will receive instructions on how to care for your incisions, including keeping them clean to avoid complications such as infection. You’ll receive advice on when you can shower after surgery and when you can resume washing your hair, as the incisions are typically placed where the face and hair merge. However, the placement of your incisions will be discussed during your consultation. You may also be instructed to apply a topical cream on your incisions to help prevent noticeable scarring.

If you notice any concerning symptoms during your recovery, such as excessive pain, persistent swelling, or signs of infection, you will need to contact the clinic for further advice.

Recovery timeline

The recovery timeline after a facelift will vary from patient to patient. Generally, recovery can take about six to eight weeks.

You will receive personalised instructions as to when to resume activities that closely consider your personal needs and lifestyle. Patients may be able to slowly resume light activities during the first two weeks of recovery.

Since initial swelling and bruising will need to subside before results can become noticeable, we recommend to be patient before assessing your facelift results.

Post-operative appointments

You will need to return the clinic for post-operative appointments to monitor the progress of your healing.

Your first appointment will be about three to four days after surgery. You will be able to discuss your progress with Dr Rastogi and our nurses and ask any questions. During your first appointment, we will organise your remaining follow-up appointments.

Facelift costs with Dr Rastogi in Sydney or Double Bay

Your procedure costs can be discussed during your consultation with Dr Rastogi in Sydney or Double Bay.

The costs of a facelift can include anaesthetist fees, hospital fees and costs associated with aftercare. Costs can also be influenced by individually varying factors, such as the total procedure time and the complexity of the procedure.

Risks and complications

All procedures come with some form of risk, which should be discussed in detail during the consultation process. With Dr Rastogi, you can discuss what you can do to minimise risks while preparing for your procedure and what steps to take during recovery to reduce risks afterwards.

Some risks are minor and may not require medical attention, such as initial swelling, while others can be more serious and will require medical intervention should they occur. When discussing the risks that are associated with the procedure, you can discuss what symptoms to look out for that could indicate a complication has occurred.

Our team is available to contact after hours should you have any questions or concerns.

The risks and complications of a facelift can include:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Irregularities
• Asymmetry
• Loss of sensation
• Hair loss
• Nerve injury causing numbness / lopsided face
• Neuralgia
• Parotid Duct Injury
• Hematoma (A collection of blood outside of blood vessels)
• Scarring
• Skin necrosis
• Skin discolouration (such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation)
• Allergic reactions to medications, anaesthesia, or materials used during the surgery
• Seroma (fluid accumulation)
• Delayed healing
• General anaesthesia risks