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A woman in her sixties with natural, softly lit facial features
Plastic surgery · Face

Facelift and facial surgery in Tunbridge Wells: under local anaesthetic

Facelift, neck lift, brow lift and lip lift with consultant facial surgeon Mr Darryl Coombes. Every procedure is carried out here at Vale, under local anaesthetic, and you go home the same day.

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Consultation with Mr Coombes £250 · CQC-registered for surgery · No general anaesthetic

  • From £4,995Apex Facelift®
  • £250Consultation with Mr Coombes
  • LocalAnaesthetic, you stay awake
  • Same dayHome after your procedure
  • About 1 weekBefore many people return to work
How the face changes

When your reflection looks more tired than you feel

With time, the skin and the deeper tissues of the face lose some of their support. The jawline can soften into jowls, the neck may loosen, the brows can drop and the upper lip can lengthen. Sun exposure, weight change and genetics all play a part.

Not everyone needs or wants surgery. For some people, a smaller procedure, or no treatment at all, is the right answer. Mr Coombes will tell you honestly what he thinks surgery can and can’t do for you.

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The Apex Facelift®

What is the Apex Facelift®?

The Apex Facelift® is a facelift technique developed by Mr Coombes to lift sagging in the lower face, jawline and upper neck. It’s carried out under local anaesthetic, so you’re awake throughout, the area is numb, and there’s no need for a general anaesthetic or an overnight stay.

The cuts are placed along natural creases in front of and behind the ear and into the hairline, where scars tend to be less noticeable once healed. The procedure usually takes around 90 minutes to 2 hours.

What it won’t do: a facelift doesn’t stop the face from ageing, and it won’t change fine lines or skin texture. Scars are permanent, although they usually fade over time.
Procedures

Facial procedures at Vale

All carried out by Mr Coombes in our own minor surgery room, under local anaesthetic.

  • Apex Facelift®

    Lifts the lower face, jowls and upper neck. Can be combined with upper eyelid surgery for suitable patients. From £4,995.

  • Neck lift

    Tightens loose skin and tissue under the chin and along the neck. Priced at your consultation.

  • Brow lift

    Raises low or heavy brows that make the eyes look hooded or tired. £2,880.

  • Lip lift

    Shortens the gap between the nose and upper lip to give the lip more definition. £3,500.

Is this right for you?Book a £250 consultation with Mr Coombes to talk through your options, with no obligation to go ahead.
Call 01892 543029Send an enquiry
Your journey

From consultation to recovery

  1. 01

    Consultation

    You meet Mr Coombes, who would carry out your surgery. He examines your face, listens to what you’d like to change and explains your options, risks and costs.

  2. 02

    Time to decide

    You get written information to take away. We recommend at least two weeks between your consultation and booking surgery.

  3. 03

    Your procedure

    Carried out at Vale under local anaesthetic. You’re awake but comfortable, and you go home the same day.

  4. 04

    Aftercare

    Clear instructions, a dressing check and stitch removal, and follow-up appointments with Mr Coombes as you heal.

Results

Apex Facelift® before and after

Three-quarter view of a woman’s face and neck before and after an Apex Facelift®
Apex Facelift®, three-quarter view. Patient of Mr Coombes. She is wearing make-up in the after photo and the lighting is different, so the skin looks smoother than surgery alone would make it.
Front view of a patient’s lower face and neck before and after an Apex Facelift®
Apex Facelift®, front view. Another patient of Mr Coombes.
Side view of the same patient’s jawline and neck before and after an Apex Facelift®
Apex Facelift®, side view. The same patient.

Shown with each patient’s written permission. Results vary from person to person, and these photos don’t guarantee your result.

Neck lift

Tightening the neck

A neck lift tightens loose skin and the band-like muscle under the chin and along the front of the neck. It can be carried out on its own or together with the Apex Facelift®, which already lifts the upper neck. Mr Coombes will explain which approach suits your neck. Recovery can take a little longer when procedures are combined.

Your surgeon explains

Mr Coombes on the Apex Facelift®

Mr Darryl Coombes explains what the Apex Facelift® involves and why he carries it out under local anaesthetic.

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Brow lift

Lifting a low or heavy brow

As the brows drop with age, they can push skin down onto the upper eyelids and make the eyes look hooded, tired or cross. A brow lift raises the brows to a more natural position. Sometimes what looks like a heavy eyelid is really a low brow, so Mr Coombes will look at both before recommending a brow lift, upper eyelid surgery or both.

Lip lift

Shortening a long upper lip

With age, the upper lip can lengthen, flatten and show less of the top teeth. A lip lift removes a small strip of skin just under the nose, so the lip sits higher and looks more defined. The scar sits in the natural crease under the nose. The change is visible straight away, and the final look becomes clearer as swelling settles over the following weeks. Most people return to normal activities after 7 to 10 days.

Is surgery right for you?

Making a considered decision

Cosmetic surgery is a big decision. It works best for people who are in good general health, have realistic expectations and are making the choice for themselves. We recommend at least two weeks between your consultation and booking surgery, so you have time to think and to ask any further questions.

If Mr Coombes doesn’t think surgery is likely to give you the result you’re hoping for, he’ll tell you, and he may suggest a smaller procedure or no treatment at all.

Your clinician

Your surgeon

Mr Darryl M Coombes

Mr Darryl M Coombes

Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

GMC 4745266 (Specialist Register, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)

Mr Darryl Coombes is a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, qualified in both dentistry and medicine. He spent ten years as an NHS consultant, much of it reconstructing the face after injury or cancer, before focusing on aesthetic facial surgery. He developed the Apex Facelift®.

You’ll see Mr Coombes at every stage: he carries out your consultation, your surgery and your follow-up.

Registered and regulatedRegistered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)General Medical Council (GMC) registered doctorsGeneral Chiropractic Council (GCC) registered chiropractors
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Your questions

Facial surgery questions answered

Will I be awake?

Yes. All facial surgery at Vale is done under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb but you’re awake. Many people find this means a quicker recovery, and there’s no overnight stay.

Who is suitable for the Apex Facelift®?

It may suit people with sagging in the lower face, jawline and upper neck who are in good general health. Mr Coombes can only tell you whether it’s right for you after examining you at a consultation.

What are the risks?

All surgery carries risks. For facelift surgery they include bleeding or a collection of blood under the skin (haematoma), infection, numbness, scarring, asymmetry, hair loss near the scars and, rarely, weakness of the facial muscles, which is usually temporary. You may not be happy with the result. Mr Coombes goes through the risks for your procedure in detail, and you’ll get them in writing.

How long is the recovery?

Swelling and bruising are normal and usually settle over one to two weeks. After an Apex Facelift®, many people feel ready to return to work after about a week, but this varies. A lip lift usually takes 7 to 10 days to settle enough for normal activities. Final results take several months.

Can I combine procedures?

Sometimes. For example, the Apex Facelift® can be combined with upper eyelid surgery for suitable patients. Combining procedures can lengthen recovery, so Mr Coombes will advise you.

Is finance available?

Interest-free finance over 12 months may be available for treatments over £1,500, subject to status.

Do you offer fillers or other non-surgical treatments?

No. Vale offers surgical procedures only. If Mr Coombes thinks a non-surgical treatment would suit you better, he’ll tell you.

Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
Call 01892 543029Send an enquiry
Get started

Talk to Mr Coombes about your options

Book a £250 consultation with Mr Coombes to talk through your options, with no obligation to go ahead.

Consultation
£250
Apex Facelift®
£4,995
Neck lift
Price given at your £250 consultation
Brow lift
£2,880
Lip lift
£3,500
Anaesthetic
Local only

Cosmetic surgery is only available to adults aged 18 and over. Results vary from person to person, and you should have realistic expectations. Apex Facelift® is a registered trademark. Written by Mr Darryl Coombes, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon (GMC 4745266). Last updated 15 October 2026.