Can I get help towards paying for my facelift surgery (rhytidectomy)?

Generally, you will have to pay for this surgery yourself. If this is undertaken for aesthetic reasons only then the NHS is unlikely to pay. This equally applies if you have private medical insurance.

Check with your insurance provider but you may find that they will see this as a ‘non-essential’ or ‘lifestyle choice’ and will refuse to cover the costs.

The NHS is strapped for cash and has to allocate their limited resources to where it will have the most benefit. This means treating serious or life threatening conditions. It will pay for treatment which will have a recognisable medical benefit and not for aesthetic reasons only.

Basically, if you are looking at treatment to improve your appearance then they are unlikely to pay. In regards to facelift surgery, if you have nerve damage as a result of an injury or a congenital abnormality then the NHS may consider paying for this procedure.

If you are considering this option then your first port of call is your GP. He or she will provide a sympathetic ear and can advise you on your options. You will require a letter of referral from him/her to access a plastic surgeon and advice about applying to your local health authority for help.

If none of these are successful then you will have to be treated as a private patient. This means paying for this surgery from your own finances or taking out a personal loan. You will find that cosmetic providers operate their own personal finance schemes. These are very similar to loans administered by banks and building societies and tend to offer competitive terms and conditions.

There is the option of approaching a specialist medical loan provider. Companies such as First Medical Loans or Cosmetic Surgery Loans (www.cosmeticsurgeryloans.org.uk) provide these types of loans. These are repayable on a monthly basis.

Facelift Surgery Guide Index:

• What is a ‘rhytidectomy’?
• Who should consider a facelift ?
• Who is not suitable for facelift surgery ?
• Why shouldn’t I have facelift surgery?
• How much does a facelift surgery cost?
• Can I get help towards paying for my facelift?
• Can I have a facelift on the NHS?
• Can I have facelift surgery abroad?
• I am interested in a facelift what do I do next?
• How do I find a reputable facelift surgeon?
• What questions should I ask my surgeon?

• I have decided to go ahead so what happens next?
• How do I prepare for my facelift surgery?
• What will happen on the day of my facelift surgery?
• What is the facelift surgery procedure?
• What will happen after my facelift surgery?
• What does recovery from facelift surgery involve?
• What are the benefits of facelift surgery?
• What are the risks of facelift surgery?
• Is there an ‘aftercare’ service for facelift surgery?
• How long does a facelift surgery last?