All 260 Clinics that provide Facelift in London

Wrinkles, dropping jowls, and slackening of skin are all results of aging and exposure to the sun. Facelift is most effective for removing sag from under the chin and wrinkles from the cheeks.

The procedure is most successful for healthy individuals with good remaining skin elasticity, though improvements can be made in most people. A facelift can erase signs of aging from the face creating a tighter, firmer and more youthful look.

Procedure

Usually it's performed under a local anaesthetic. Incisions start at the temples and run down the hairline, in front of the ear, continuing backwards into the lower scalp. These incisions allow the surgeon access to the skin of the face and neck, which is lifted from the underlying tissue. Fat is removed and muscles and tendons strengthened depending on the patient and the desired result. The skin is resettled over the adjusted fat and muscle and excess skin removed at the incision edges.

Length

The procedure varies depending on the individual and the work that is required: a standard length for the operation is from 2 to 3 hours.

Recovery

Facelifts are often extensive operations. Following the procedure there may be considerable discomfort and swelling for a few days, with tubes being left in place to aid drainage from the areas operated upon. Bandages may remain in place for 1 week, during this time the head should be kept elevated, as much as possible, to reduce inflammation and swelling. Stitches are usually removed at the end of the first week. Most swelling and discomfort will have subsided after 2 weeks to a month. Full recovery to normal feeling may take up to 6 months.

Risks

After surgery blood may gather in areas operated upon though these can be drained subsequently. There is a danger of damage to the nerves of the face causing loss of feeling: such damage is usually only temporary. Infection is a risk as it is with all invasive surgery.

A guide to plastic surgery regulations in the United Kingdom

The Department of Health decides on health policy and oversees the National Health Serice in the UK.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the self-regulating body for doctors within the UK. It holds a register of all doctors registered to practice within the UK. The GMC provides detailed information online about the current status of all registered doctors. Compensation claims will rest on proof that a failure in the 'Duty to Care' has resulted in injury - these claims are persued throught the civil courts.

The British Medical Association is the chief professional organization for doctors in the UK.

BAPRAS, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons is the main organization that plastic surgeons will belong to.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons represents plastic surgeons who specialise in cosmetic surgery and all its members are on the Specialist Register of Plastic Surgery.

Education

The UK has 32 medical schools spread over a number of administrative regions. Training is usually 5 or 6 years in length though 4 year graduate programmes have become available. The difference in training periods generally applies to theoretical work with set minimums in place for clinical study.

Doctors are ethically responsible for keeping their training up to date through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). All professional associations promote continuing education and organize training. CPD is not mandatory though failure to engage may result in a doctors ability to maintain their 'Duty to Care' coming into question.

Complaints

The GMC will deal with complaints against doctors but its powers only enable it to limit or remove the right to practice: It does not issue fines or grant compensation. The GMC strikes off about 30 doctors each year.

Other complaints should go first to one of the local healthcare authorites.

There is also a health ombudsman (one for each of England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland), independant of the profession.

Storage and Access to Medical Records

The UK has a data protection act. This both protects data and covers the right of an individual to access data held on them - including medical data. Furthermore medical data requested by an individual must be presented in an intelligible manner and within a maximun of 40 days from a formal request being made.

Resources

Healthcare Commission (for ombudsman/complaints, provider ratings etc)
Website: http://www.healthcarecommission.org.london/aboutus.cfm

The General Medical Council (GMC)
Website: http://www.gmc-london.org/
Check status of doctors: http://www.gmc-london.org/register/search/
Role in complaints: http://www.gmc-london.org/concerns/complaints_and_role_of_the_gmc/index.asp

The British Medical Association
Website: http://www.bma.org.london/

British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons
Website: http://www.bapras.org.london/
Member surgeons: http://www.bapras.org.london/findasurgeon.asp

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Website: http://www.baaps.org.london/
Member surgeons: http://www.baaps.org.london/content/view/18/32/

The biggest choice of facelift clinics in London with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best facelift for you in London.