Negligent Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Compensation Claims

It’s beneficial if you’re quick to pursue a claim as the paperwork will be readily available and the detail of the event will still be ‘fresh’ in your mind, which will help when putting your case together. There is also a three-year time limit from the ‘date of knowledge’ where you learned that a mistake on your doctor’s part led to the pain or suffering you’re now experiencing. Usually, if you attempt to bring a claim after this date, it will be considered ‘statute barred’ or ‘out of time’ as per the Limitation act of 1980, section 11. If you are within the time limit or are unsure as to whether you fall within the time period allowed, you can speak to us and we’ll be able to advise you as best we can based upon the information you’re able to share with us.

If a facelift treatment fails because of the negligence of the surgeon, you can be left with:

• Permanent scarring
• Nerve damage
• Loss of muscle function or sensation
• Tissue death
• Psychological harm

• 6,402 face/neck lifts were performed on men and women in the UK in 2014, a rise of 1% on 2013.
• 6,380 face/neck lifts were carried out in the UK in 2013, the third most performed procedure behind eyelid surgery and breast enlargements.
• 41,364 cosmetic procedures were performed on women in 2014, of which:

• 6,075 face/neck lifts were performed on women in 2014, a rise of 39.5% and a total of 1,720 procedures since 2008.
• 4,355 face/neck lifts were performed on women in the UK in 2008. (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons – BAAPS)

There are many different types of facelift surgery, depending on:

• Different  types of incision used
• Area of the face being treated
• Invasive intensity of the procedure

The most popular types include:

Skin Only Facelift – a traditional procedure to the lower face and neck. No muscle tightening is involved and therefore has minimal risk to underlying facial muscles and nerves. Considered less durable over time than other methods.

Midface Lift – where soft tissues in the cheekbone area are lifted to alleviate the appearance of folds and hanging skin around the nasal area and in the middle of the face.

Traditional Facelift – also known as SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System). Muscle layers are repositioned and tightened for longer-term stability.

All surgical procedures carry risks but the specific risks associated with facelifts are:

• Excessive bleeding
• Blood clots under the skin – can occur in up to 10% of patients within 24 hours of surgery
• Face swelling
• Infection
• Permanent scarring
• Nerve damage – can occur in up to 7% of procedures
• Loss of muscle function or sensation
• Loss of skin and hair
• Uneven features
• Skin colour changes – persists for months but eventually fades
• Tissue death – smoking increases the risk by a factor of 12.

A cosmetic surgeon should find out whether a facelift is an appropriate procedure for a particular patient. It is essential that the surgeon takes you through a detailed consultation and examination of your medical history before proceeding further.

There is an increased risk from cosmetic surgery if you have a specific medical condition, such as an autoimmune disorder (where the body’s defence system attacks its own cells or tissues) or heart disease.

Not all underlying conditions pose a health risk when undergoing a facelift procedure. A surgeon should know of any health concerns so that necessary precautions can be put into place.

The surgeon should ask if you smoke. Smoking can increase the risks of surgery and slow down the healing process. It is generally advised that smoking should stop at least two weeks before and two weeks after the surgery, and for longer if possible.

Once the surgeon is satisfied that a facelift procedure is an appropriate solution, a surgeon and patient should put in place a personalised treatment plan.

Typical requirements should include:

• Type of facelift
• Type of anaesthesia
• Location of the incisions
• How the doctor will close the incisions
• Which procedures, if any, should be combined with the facelift
• Approximate recovery time

Up to 50% of patients will experience short-term depression in the first month following facelift surgery, caused by the distorted unnatural appearance of the face from swelling and bruising.

There are always risks involved when undergoing any type of surgery. The slightest mistake can leave you with serious injuries and scarring for life.

Your surgeon should have made you fully aware of where complications may occur in your particular facelift procedure. The surgeon is also responsible for ensuring that your surgery is performed to an acceptable standard.

You may have a claim for negligence if:

• Your surgeon was negligent at any stage, before or after the surgery
• You have suffered facial disfiguration or substantial scarring
• You have suffered nerve damage to the face and surrounding areas
• You have suffered bleeding under the skin
• You have suffered the trauma of psychological damage
• You have suffered associated injuries affecting your eyes, nose, mouth or even ears