What Happens During A Facelift Operation?

Facelift surgery involves separating the skin from the fat and muscle beneath. Fat may be removed from around the neck and chin to give a tighter jaw line. The underlying muscle and membranes are tightened, the skin is pulled back and excess skin is removed. This smoothes out wrinkles and lifts the face.
A facelift surgeon starts by making incisions, or cuts that start above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural sweeping line in front of the ear and then continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. All the incisions are designed to be hidden from view after the operation, when they have healed, because some scarring will remain.
The surgeon uses fine sutures to keep the new facial structure in place and to close the skin. Metal clips are sometimes used on the scalp. The facelift operation itself takes at least three to four hours, sometimes longer.