Facelift in Edinburgh
The face you remember, just rested. A facelift at Waterfront aims to restore the natural structure of the lower face and neck — the soft jawline, the definition between jaw and neck, the calm of a face that no longer looks tired. The aim is never to look done.
Contents
Facelift overview
Facelift surgery Edinburgh
- TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC
Local and Sedation or General - LENGTH OF PROCEDURE
3-4 hours - HOSPITAL STAY
Daycase or overnight - RECOVERY
1-2 weeks off work, 6 weeks before strenuous exercise
What the procedure involves
A lower face and neck lift is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes between three and four hours. Incisions are placed in the natural creases around the ear and, where needed, beneath the chin. The deeper structural (SMAS) layer of the face is repositioned using either an SMAS or a deep plane technique, depending on what each face needs; fat is sculpted or transferred where appropriate, and excess skin is removed. The incisions are closed in fine layers to minimise scarring.
The procedure can be carried out as day surgery or with an overnight stay at a partner hospital with full medical and nursing support — your consultant will discuss which is appropriate for you. Where appropriate, a facelift may be combined with fat transfer to the mid-face or cheeks, or with upper or lower eyelid surgery, in a single operation. Combining procedures can shorten overall recovery time, and your consultant will discuss whether this is appropriate for you.
Benefits and expected outcomes
A facelift can address:
• A softening jawline and the loss of definition between the jaw and the neck
• Jowling along the lower border of the face
• Deep folds running from the nose to the mouth (nasolabial folds) and from the mouth to the chin (marionette lines)
• Loose skin under the chin and along the front of the neck
• A combination of these where they appear together
What it does not address: skin texture, fine surface lines, or pigmentation, all of which respond better to non-surgical treatments. A facelift resets the structural changes of ageing by approximately six to eight years; it does not stop the underlying process. Maintenance is achieved through good skincare, sun protection and lifestyle, not through repeat surgery.
Ideal candidates
A facelift is most appropriate for people who:
• Notice that the structure of their face is changing — typically from late 40s onwards
• Want a result that looks like a rested version of themselves rather than a different face
• Are in good general health and have no medical conditions that would significantly raise surgical risk
• Are non-smokers or willing to stop smoking before and after surgery, to support healing
• Understand that surgery is one part of an overall picture, not a substitute for skincare, sun protection or lifestyle
If you are not sure whether surgery is the right step, we suggest coming in for a consultation rather than committing to a procedure. Many patients leave with a clearer picture of their options and no booking pressure either way.
Risks and considerations
While a lower face and neck lift is generally safe and effective, patients must understand the potential risks and considerations associated with the procedure. These may include:
- Temporary bruising and swelling: Patients may experience temporary bruising and swelling in the treated areas following surgery. This typically subsides within a few weeks but can be managed with proper post-operative care.
- Risk of infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection. However, our hospital maintains strict sterilisation and infection control protocols to minimise this risk.
- Nerve injury: Although rare, there is a small risk of nerve injury during a lower face and neck lift. Research suggests that temporary nerve injury ranges from 1% to 5%, while permanent nerve injury occurs in less than 1% of cases.
- Scarring: While the techniques used aim to minimise scarring, some is inevitable with any surgical procedure. However, scars typically fade over time and can be concealed within natural skin creases.
- Anaesthesia risks: Anaesthesia carries inherent risks, including allergic reactions and adverse effects. However, our anaesthesia team comprises experienced professionals who closely monitor patients throughout the procedure to ensure safety and comfort.
- Unsatisfactory results: While most patients are satisfied with their outcomes, there is a possibility of unsatisfactory results or asymmetry. Our surgeons work closely with each patient to establish realistic expectations and strive to achieve the desired aesthetic goals.
Your consultant will go through the relevant risks and considerations with you in detail at your consultation, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions before deciding whether to proceed.
Further reading: BAAPS – face and neck lift
Aftercare and recovery
Following a lower face and neck lift, you will be given detailed post-operative care instructions and a clear follow-up plan. Bruising and swelling are at their most noticeable in the first ten days and continue to settle over the following month. Sutures are removed at the first follow-up appointment. Most patients take two weeks off work and avoid social events for around three weeks. Driving and light exercise can usually resume after two to three weeks; vigorous exercise after six. Final results take three to six months to settle fully as the deeper tissues continue to refine. Throughout your recovery, your consultant remains personally involved. If anything concerns you between scheduled appointments, they respond directly and will arrange to see you as often as needed until things are settled.
What is the cost of a facelift?
The guide price for a lower face and neck lift at Waterfront Private Hospital is from £13,000. The mini facelift is from £8,000. Both prices include the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the hospital and theatre fee, the overnight stay where required, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged. The full price for your individual case can only be confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery, as the operation is tailored to what your face actually needs. Our consultation fee with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.
Frequently asked questions
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my facelift?
Yes. At Waterfront, the consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your operation, performs it, and sees you through every follow-up. There is no handover between assessment and surgery, no patient coordinator, and no surgeon rotation.
Can I choose which surgeon performs my facelift?
Yes. You can request a consultation with a specific consultant on our team, and that consultant will be the one who plans, performs and reviews your surgery if you decide to proceed. Our consulting plastic surgeons performing facelift surgery are listed on this page.
How do I choose the right surgeon for a lower face and neck lift?
Look for a surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register for plastic surgery, with genuine experience in facial surgery — not one who performs facelifts occasionally alongside a wider mix of work. At Waterfront, the consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the same consultant who plans, performs and reviews your surgery; there is no handover and no patient coordinator standing between you and your surgeon. A consultation will give you a sense of whether the consultant is the right fit, with no pressure to book on the day.
What is the difference between a mini facelift and a lower face and neck lift?
A mini facelift focuses on the mid to lower face and targets mild sagging around the cheeks and jawline with shorter incisions and a quicker recovery — suitable for earlier signs of ageing. A lower face and neck lift addresses more pronounced changes, including jowling, deep folds and loose neck skin, with more extensive tightening and contouring. Both aim for a natural-looking result. Your consultant will help you decide which is right for you based on what your face actually needs.
Can a lower face and neck lift correct double chin and jowls?
Yes. A lower face and neck lift is specifically designed to address these. By removing excess fat, tightening the underlying tissue and repositioning the skin, the procedure significantly reduces the appearance of a double chin and jowls, restoring definition to the jawline and the contour between the jaw and the neck.
How does fat transfer work with a lower face and neck lift?
Fat transfer (also known as fat grafting) involves taking fat from one area of the body and injecting it into specific areas of the face to restore lost volume. When combined with a lower face and neck lift, fat transfer addresses volume loss in the cheeks and mid-face, contributing to a fuller, more rested-looking face.
Can eyelid surgery be performed at the same time as a lower face and neck lift?
Yes. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is often performed alongside a lower face and neck lift, addressing drooping upper eyelids, under-eye bags and laxity in the lower face and neck in a single operation. Combining the procedures can also reduce overall recovery time and cost compared with having them separately.
Are there non-surgical alternatives to a lower face and neck lift?
Non-surgical treatments such as fillers, anti-wrinkle injections or skin-tightening devices can offer temporary improvements, but they cannot achieve the same result as a surgical lower face and neck lift — particularly for patients with significant skin laxity. These options may suit patients with milder concerns, or those who are not yet ready for surgery.
Is there an optimal age for a lower face and neck lift?
There is no specific age requirement. Most patients begin to notice the structural changes that a facelift addresses from their late 40s onward, though individual factors — skin elasticity, general health, and the rate at which a face is changing — matter more than age alone.
How long do the results of a lower face and neck lift last?
Results last many years, depending on skin quality, age and lifestyle factors such as sun protection and smoking. The procedure does not stop the underlying ageing process, but it resets the structural changes, and most patients are happy with their results for 6-8 years or more before considering any maintenance procedure.
How does ageing affect the results over time, and can the procedure be repeated?
A lower face and neck lift gives long-lasting results, but the underlying ageing process continues. Over time, you may notice gradual changes in your facial structure due to age and lifestyle factors. The procedure can be repeated, or supplemented with other treatments such as fillers or non-surgical skin tightening, to maintain a rested look. Long-term care can be discussed with your consultant at your follow-up appointments.
How should I prepare for my facelift consultation?
Bring a note of your current medications and any relevant medical history, and a clear sense of what you would like the surgery to address. It is helpful to come with questions about the procedure, recovery and likely results — and, if you have them, photos that show what you are hoping for. There is no expectation that you will commit to surgery on the day.
What measures should I take during recovery?
Follow your consultant’s instructions on wound care closely, take any prescribed medications, avoid strenuous activity until you are cleared, and keep your head elevated to reduce swelling. Attending every follow-up appointment lets your consultant monitor healing and pick up on anything early.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
Your consultant remains personally involved through your recovery. If anything concerns you between scheduled appointments, your consultant will respond directly and arrange to see you as often as needed until things are settled. You are not handed off to a generic aftercare team.
How can I ensure the best results from my lower face and neck lift?
The most important factor is the surgeon you choose — and at Waterfront the consultant who plans your facelift is the same consultant who performs and reviews it. Beyond that, follow your consultant’s pre- and post-operative instructions closely, attend every follow-up, do not smoke around the time of surgery, and protect the area from sun exposure during healing.
What is the cost of a lower face and neck lift?
Guide prices for facelift surgery at Waterfront Private Hospital are listed in the Cost section above. The full price for your individual case is confirmed after a face-to-face consultation, as the operation is tailored to what your face needs.
Excellent care
Everyone I met at Waterfront Private Hospital was friendly, helpful and thorough, and went the extra mile, including the whole medical and admin teams which were fantastic.
Mr Will Anderson carried out my surgery with great care and professionalism and listened carefully to, and addressed, all of my concerns. Thank you!
I’ve also had excellent communication with Debbie and Janey in emails and phone calls, sometimes over weekends/on days off.
The standard of care has been superb and I would return without hesitation.
My thanks to the whole team.
Mary
Dec 2023
Author
Mr Omar Quaba, MBBChir, FRCS (Plast), GMC 4586300, is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery. Based at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, he is fully accredited on the GMC Specialist Register and specialises in advanced cosmetic procedures. Full member of BAAPS.
