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London - 18 May 2007 Norman Waterhouse, a leading London-based consultant plastic surgeon and until recently Head of the Craniofacial Unit at Chelsea and Westminster today unveiled a new kind of surgical facelift that results in less swelling and less time required off work to recuperate. The eponymous procedure, developed in the UK over the last twenty years, has just been published in the prestigious American Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

According to Norman Waterhouse, former President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and co-founder of Facing The World (www.facingtheworld.net), the international charity for children with facial deformities:

"This facelift presents a modification of the traditional lateral SMASectomy which was popularised over twenty years ago as an excellent all round facelift procedure for most people".

The traditional facelift procedure involves manipulating the SMAS muscles of the lower face in a variety of directions. The new technique, known as the ’modified lateral SMASectomy’ or the -rather catchier!- ’Waterhouse Facelift’, tightens the muscles in the SMAS layer in a lateral direction, which achieves a very natural result where the neck, jowls, cheeks and nose to mouth lines are rejuvenated. The procedure can also be performed under ’twilight’ anaesthesia, which involves the use of local anaesthetic rather than general, as patients recover more quickly.

Mr Waterhouse continued:

"The decision to have a facelift in order to appear refreshed and younger looking without the give away ’wind tunnel’ look is a priority with all patients. This new technique gives a fresh natural look together with long lasting results and a speedy recovery. This is attributable to a team approach with each patient being under the care of an experienced surgeon, anaesthetist and aesthetic surgery nurse".

With all surgery, excellent results depend on a thorough assessment of each individual including their medical status, their suitability and their own expectations.

Mr Waterhouse says:

"This is still a formal surgical procedure and is not a ’minimal’ or ’lunchtime’ lift. However, with this new procedure there is less downtime and a significant reduction in swelling and bruising which minimises social exclusion and time off work".