Facelift in Turkey
Dr.Süleyman Özer

Facelift, medically known as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the face, reducing sagging skin and addressing various signs of aging. It involves lifting flaps of skin on each side of the face, modifying tissues beneath the skin, and removing excess skin to create a more youthful facial appearance.

This procedure can specifically target issues such as the sagging appearance of the cheeks, excess skin at the lower jawline, and deep skin folds from the sides of the nose to the corner of the mouth. A neck lift, often performed in conjunction with a facelift, addresses sagging skin and excess fat in the neck.

It’s essential to note that a facelift doesn’t address concerns like fine lines, wrinkles caused by sun exposure, or uneven skin color. Additionally, the surgery comes with potential risks and complications, including hematoma, scarring, nerve injury, hair loss, and skin loss.

The operation may be carried out differently depending on the method adopted. It is around the ear and in the hair that the incision is made, so that it is the most hidden. The detachment is then carried out under the skin, the extent of which depends on the extent of the loosening of the tissues.

It begins in the temple, in the paw of the hair or below depending on the implantation of the hair, then walks in front of the ear, then in the ear, then in front of the earlobe, then behind the ear to end in the hair of the nape. The planes that will be retained are not necessarily only cutaneous, they can be more profound depending on the case as the muscular plane. In this stage facial tissues under the skin are reshaped with sutures.

The skin is then naturally retained, the excess is removed and the stitches are not strained. A bandage around the head is usually applied by surgeons.

What is the postoperative course after a facelift?
A bandage is placed around the head and kept until the next morning. Daily disinfection (antiseptic and vaseline) will be sufficient for first-day treatment. After the operation, the patient may have bruises on the neck and chin, a tension that can be moderately painful behind the ears or on the neck. These inconveniences disappear in the first days. Simple painkillers may suffice.

Effort should be avoided during the first 10 days. During the 8 to 10 days after the operation, the face is swollen by bruises that vary depending on the patient. The threads, if they are not absorbable, are removed between the 7th and 15th days. The skin is hardened, insensitive in the first few weeks. The sensitivity is completely recovered in a few months.

The scars on the temple level, in the hair or just on the border of the hair as the case may be, in front of the ear, behind the ear or towards the neck, will remain pink for a few weeks.

The patient will be able to leave the hospital 2 days after the operation, but a complete rest will be required for a few days. A work stoppage of a few days to a week is desirable. The resumption of sports activities can take place after 3 weeks. The result will be visible maximum between 1 and 2 months.