Facelift in Edinburgh

Occurs in less than 5% of cases and may require surgical intervention to evacuate the collection and prevent pressure on healing tissues. This risk is significantly reduced through meticulous surgical technique and careful blood pressure management.

Facial movement nerves may be temporarily affected, resulting in asymmetrical expressions that typically resolve within 3-6 weeks as swelling subsides. Permanent nerve injury is extremely rare with experienced surgeons.

Temporary numbness or altered sensation is expected and gradually improves over 6-12 months as nerve endings regenerate.

While all surgery leaves scars, these are placed within natural contours and typically fade significantly over 6-12 months. Factors affecting scar quality include your genetic predisposition to scarring, post-operative care, and adherence to sun protection.

Patches of numbness are typical initially and tend to recover with time. Very rarely there is a risk of numbness to the lower part of the ear.

Delayed healing occurs in approximately 2% of patients, more commonly in smokers and those with certain medical conditions affecting circulation. In rare cases, small areas of skin may experience compromised blood supply requiring additional wound care.

Approximately 5-10% of patients may benefit from minor refinements after the initial healing period to address residual asymmetry or to optimise results based on individual healing patterns.

Perfect facial symmetry does not exist naturally. Our goal is improved balance rather than perfect symmetry, which would appear unnatural.

Yes. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your facelift, performs it at Waterfront Private Hospital and reviews you afterwards. There are no handovers between surgeons at any stage.

A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available – if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.

A short scar facelift starts from £9,500 and a lower face and neck lift from £14,000 at Waterfront Private Hospital. The price covers the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the hospital and theatre fee, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged. A consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.

A facelift does not stop the ageing process, but the structural improvement is long-lasting. Most patients find the change remains visible for many years, and the face continues to look better than it would have done without surgery. Skin quality, sun exposure, smoking and weight changes all influence how the result matures.

A well-performed facelift restores the position of the deeper tissues rather than pulling the skin tight, which is what produces an unnatural result. The aim is a rested version of your own face. Most patients find that others notice they look well without identifying why.

Both techniques lift the deeper supporting layer of the face rather than the skin alone. The SMAS facelift tightens this layer directly and is the most commonly performed approach at Quaba Plastic Surgery. The deep plane technique releases and repositions the tissues as a single unit, which can suit more significant facial ageing. Your consultant will recommend the approach that fits your anatomy at consultation.

Facelift scars sit within the natural creases in front of the ear, pass behind the ear and extend into the hairline. They are placed so they are hidden within natural contours and typically fade significantly over six to twelve months.

Most patients take around two weeks off work after a facelift. Bruising and swelling peak in the first few days and settle noticeably by the end of the first week. Strenuous exercise should wait six to eight weeks.

Yes. A facelift is often combined with upper or lower eyelid surgery, a brow lift, fat transfer to the cheeks or liposuction to the neck. Combining procedures is discussed at consultation and affects the length of surgery and the recovery period.