The Surgical Science of a Face and Necklift

The evolution of medicine has resulted in greater innovation and sophistication in most fields of medicine, in surgical specialties there have been an evolution of surgical techniques, equipment and modernisation, with this progressive advancement there has been greater specialisation in every medical field.

In the ever-evolving landscape of plastic surgery, we’ve seen a remarkable shift from generalists operating on various body parts to highly specialised surgeons focusing solely on specific areas. This super-specialisation isn’t just a trend—it is a testament to the demand for expertise and precision in cosmetic procedures.

Facial plastic surgery is delicate surgery. Imagine your face as a canvas, where every millimeter matters. That is why when it comes to facial cosmetic surgery, you would want a specialist facial plastic surgeon who lives and breathes facial intricacies. While a general surgeon might be adept at larger-scale procedures like breast augmentation, it is the specialist facial plastic surgeon who truly masters the delicate artistry of eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and face and neck lifts.

Think of it this way: would you trust a hand specialist to sculpt your nose or lift your eyelids? Probably not. That’s because in the realm of facial rejuvenation, experience is everything. While general surgeons may encounter a handful of facial cases during training, a specialist facial plastic surgeon hones their craft with hundreds of intricate procedures, ensuring unparalleled skill and expertise.

Knowledge & Experience

There are medical organisations whose members specialise in facial cosmetic and plastic surgery. Memberships to medical organisations encourage high standards, promote good surgical practice and provide an opportunity for sharing of knowledge and the advancement of surgical practice, support safety and industry regulation. However, entrance to these organisations is not based on surgical results or experience, and entrance to most medical organisations is dependent on other factors such as specialty and training. 

There is no substitute for researching your surgeon, their practice and patient satisfaction, as no medical organisation can offer a guarantee of quality or care. Facial cosmetic and plastic surgery has an artistic component that falls between medical institutions and bodies, no organisation can measure this.

Surgical memberships include the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Edinburgh, the American equivalent is fellowship of the American College of Surgeons. These memberships provide the assurance of a level of professional competence, values and ethics.

Memberships to medical institutions are important for surgeons for keeping up to date with innovation and technology and advancements in facial plastic surgery. Within the parameters of facial plastic surgeon, there are several surgical specialties that have expertise and knowledge of the face. Only the General Medical Council is an organisation where all practicing doctors must have membership. There are no memberships that evaluate surgical technique or aesthetics or surgical results.

The British Association of Plastic Surgery (BAPS) is the principal UK membership body for general plastic surgeons. Many BAPS members do not perform cosmetic surgery, instead only practicing reconstructive plastic surgery. In addition, there are experienced plastic surgeons that perform cosmetic surgery, however are not members of BAPS, and some are members of the British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons (BACS). Members of BAPS who specialise in or perform cosmetic surgery are registered with the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). From the BAAPS published statistics their surgeons most common procedures are breast augmentation, breast reduction, liposuction and abdominoplasty.

From statistics published by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Facial plastic surgeons most commonly perform blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, face and neck lifting procedures. Surgeons specialising in facial cosmetic surgery may perform on average three times more facial cosmetic procedures than general plastic surgeons.

The European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgeons (EAFPS) is a multi-specialty organisation that is focused on advancement in the field of facial plastic surgery. The British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) is a group of ophthalmic surgeons trained in plastic surgery around the eyes and face. The American equivalent is the American Society of Oculo-Facial Plastic Surgeons (ASOPRS). The UK Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a group of Otorhinolaryngology, ears, nose and throat surgeons who specialise in the nose and face, the American equivalent is the Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

The PIP (Poly Implant Prothese) scandal in Europe resulted in sub-standard silicone being used in breast implant surgery, these poor-quality implants had an increased chance of rupturing. About 300,000 women were believed to have received PIP implants and required revision surgery to correct. Following the PIP breast implant scandal there were calls for increased regulation in the UK to improve patient safety. To improve quality of care the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) devised a process termed Certification that encompasses GMC specialist registration with a combination of observation, assisting and performing a relatively small number of cases in each area. Unfortunately, this will have not prevented the PIP scandal and at present there is no evaluation of surgical techniques, aesthetic results or patient satisfaction.

Memberships to Professional Medical Organisations encourages high standards of practice and provides an opportunity for sharing of knowledge and the advancement of surgical practice and support safety and industry regulation. However, entrance to these organisations is not based on surgical results or experience, and entrance to most medical organisations is dependent on other factors such as specialty and training. There is no substitute for researching your surgeon, their practice and patient satisfaction, as no medical organisation can offer a guarantee of quality.