As we grow older, the skin covering the soft tissue on our faces begins to loosen and sag in various places. These changes produce wrinkles and enhance the skin folds of the face, especially around the jaw, chin and neck area. Rhytidectomy, or a facelift, is a procedure that tightens the muscles and skin of the face producing a youthful, refreshed looking appearance. While this procedure cannot stop the ageing process, it can often make a person appear to be a decade (or more) younger than their actual age. 

In many cases, a facelift is performed along with other procedures such as brow and forehead lifts, eyelid surgery, facial liposuction, chin augmentation and nose surgery for an overall more youthful appearance. 

Who is a suitable candidate for facelift surgery? 

One or more of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for a facelift: - 

• A deep line, or fold, running from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth 

• Jowls, or loss of a well-defined jaw line associated with youthfulness 

• Deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging of the "highlight" areas of the cheekbones 

• Loose skin, wrinkles, vertical "cords" or excess fatty tissue in the neck 

How long does a facelift last? 

Whilst a younger appearance can be achieved with a facelift, the ageing process does not stop. Ten years later, you should look better than if you had not contemplated surgery. Many patients never have a second facelift, while others may desire further surgery seven to fifteen years later. 

How is the facelift procedure performed? 

Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, and follow the natural line in front of the ear, curving behind the earlobe and into the crease behind the ear. This continues into or along the lower scalp so as to make the scars nearly invisible. In general, the surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. These stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. After the deep tissues are tightened, the excess skin is pulled up and back, trimmed and sutured into place. 

Duration of operation – 1.5-2 hrs in our hands (that result in less bleeding, less possibility of complications and fast recovery) 

Hospital stay: 1 night 

What to expect immediately after surgery 

Your face and head may feel tight and sore, it will be wrapped in bandages to help minimize bruising and swelling for the first 24-48hrs. The bandages are removed next day and you can take a shower immediately. Initially you may feel emotional and cold but these feelings are temporary. Bruising and swelling are common after face and neck surgery but both feelings and appearance are transient and usually start to subside after the first week. 

How can I hide the signs of the facial surgery? 

Camouflage cosmetics including concealer, contour shadow and colour corrector may be used to help with your appearance. Lavender neutralizes or removes yellow, and green has a similar effect on red. 

How long will it be before I can get back to my normal life? 

A 7-8 night stay is recommended in Turkey following facelift surgery. Most people can return to work within 2 weeks, however the final results will take longer to be seen. 

Can facelift surgery be performed without scar? 

Scars are part of the healing process following an operation but by following the surgeon’s guidelines with time they will fade and become barely visible. If there is sagging skin problem, removal of the excess tissue is the best option. Trying less invasive methods in these patients generally result in short term effect.