A face lift, also called a rhytidectomy can help restore a more youthful appearance by tightening the muscles of the face and neck, and removing excess skin and fat. The ideal candidate for a face lift is someone who has loose facial skin but which still has some elasticity in it, and a relatively well defined bone structure. Patients are usually in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, but face lifts can be successfully performed on patients in their 70s and 80s. Facelifts are usually performed under a general anaesthetic, although a local anaesthetic along with a sedative to make you drowsy can also be used, so that you remain awake but feel very little discomfort during the surgery. Most people return to work 10 to 14 days after the surgery. Private costs for a facelift can range from approximately £4,000 - £8,000.