Face and Neck Lift
What is Facelift Surgery?
With facelift surgery, sagging in the face and neck skin is eliminated; if any, fat under the chin is eliminated. Subcutaneous tissue is reinforced.
Who is a good candidate for this surgery?
Ideal candidates for facelift surgery are those whose face and neck skin has started to sag but whose skin has not yet completely lost its elasticity and who do not have any other health problems. This surgery is usually performed on men and women over the age of 40. During facelift surgery, nose and eyelid aesthetics, forehead correction, and eyebrow lift surgeries can also be added to make the face look more beautiful and younger. Injections of fillers (oil, hyaluronic acid, etc.) or peeling (mechanical, chemical, laser) can be performed for fine wrinkles.
Before Surgery
When you are considering having a facelift surgery, first discuss with yourself what you want and why you want it, and then consult a plastic surgeon. Tell your doctor your wishes and expectations one by one and discuss them with him/her. If you smoke, definitely quit 10 days before the surgery. Tell your doctor about your sunbathing and skin care habits, and don’t forget to ask what you need to do after the surgery to give a more permanent result. If necessary, discuss the issue with your doctor a few times.
Surgery
The surgery is performed in hospital conditions, under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, in the operating room. It can be performed with general anesthesia, as well as local anesthesia and intravenous sedation (intravenous anesthesia). It normally takes 2-2.5 hours. It is possible to go home the same day. If additional procedures (nose, eyelid, etc.) are performed, the surgery may be extended. In this case, you will stay in the hospital for 1 night. Facelift surgery is a surgery that leaves a scar. However, this scar is not visible. The scars are hidden in the scalp in the temple area, in front of and behind the ear. If the fat in the subchin area is removed, a 3-5 mm scar will remain under the chin, and if eyelid and forehead lift is added, additional scars will remain in the scalp on the eyelids and forehead. However, these scars are generally invisible and can be hidden.
After Surgery
The early postoperative period is usually comfortable. There may be general swelling and bruising on the face, numbness and a feeling of tension. Since the facial nerves may be slightly affected by the anesthesia during the surgery, there may be slight asymmetries on the face. These will go away on their own within 3-5 days. A head bandage is applied, leaving the eyes, nose and mouth open. Rarely, a drain may be placed to prevent blood accumulation inside. Since the blood supply of the facial skin is richer in male patients, bleeding and blood clots inside may be more common, so a drain may be necessary. Drains are removed within 2 days at the latest. The bandage is removed after 2 days. General check-ups and dressing changes are made. The hair is washed and the bandage is re-applied if necessary. Stitches are removed after 5-7 days.
Return to Normal Life
The surgery gives good results. Second corrections may be necessary in rare cases. The person can return to work and wear make-up after 1 week. It is recommended to avoid heavy exercises and excessive sunlight for 2 months and to protect from external impacts. The distance between the back of the ear and the scalp narrows in male patients. Therefore, they should be careful when shaving. If necessary, there may be a need for epilation in this area. Male patients are advised not to shave for 3 weeks. The newly shaped face and neck skin will be affected by gravity, so it will last for 5-10 years or even longer depending on the person’s body type.
