A facelift is a surgical operation done for aesthetic purposes. It is aimed to correct the skin sagging problem caused by aging, lifestyle, and hereditary factors. Classic facelift surgery promises a younger, firmer, and more energetic facial appearance.
Scope of Face Lift Surgery
Facelift, also known medically as rhytidectomy, corrects the loosening of the facial skin over time. Excess skin causes an older, tired, and angry facial appearance. It also reduces the certainness of facial expressions, so gestures may go unnoticed. Surgery, on the other hand, helps to treat, or rather correct, such problems. The medical application site covers the cheeks, jowls, and corners of the mouth. In addition, a rejuvenating effect can be observed in a wider region if it is applied together with other aesthetic surgeries such as neck lifting or eyebrow lifting.
Face Lift Procedure
The facelift procedure has preparation, surgery, and recovery processes like almost every cosmetic procedure. First, a consultation with a professional plastic surgeon is arranged. The preparation phase for facelift surgery includes:
- Physical examination,
- Detailed analysis of the facial site,
- Evaluation of the patient expectations,
- Medication supplement (if necessary).
Before rhytidectomy, your doctor may ask you to stop using blood thinners and similar drugs or he may adjust the dosage. The procedure is performed under either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The anesthetist, doctor, and patient will decide together on the ideal method. Typically, the skin is elevated, excess skin is removed, and muscles and tissues are tightened.
The surgery starts with applying incisions and it is completed by suturing the incisions. Since skin sagging and signs of aging vary from person to person, various facelift procedures can be done with different incision methods. Cheek lift, mini facelift, and full facelift can be performed. According to the technique, the duration of the operation takes 4 to 10 hours. The patient can leave the hospital either the same day or the day after the surgery.
Recovery Period After Face Lift Surgery
The recovery process after a facelift is not very problematic. Bruising and swelling may be observed around the facial area; tenderness and tension may be experienced. A bandage is applied to the face. A medical tube is placed to drain excess blood and remains for about 3-4 days. The regular dressing is done until the stitches are removed or dissolved. After a week or ten days, the patient can put on make-up and wash his/her hair. After the face lift operation, the patients should protect themselves from harmful sun rays for about 1-2 months and avoid doing strenuous exercises.
Individuals over the age of 18 who experience collagen deficiency, sagged muscles, and loss of elasticity are suitable candidates for rhytidectomy. However, facelift surgery is mostly applied to people over the age of 50, because the request for skin correction/facial rejuvenation due to aging comes mostly from this age group.
A facelift is not a scarless procedure. As in many surgeries performed by incision, scars are likely to remain. However, these scars are both small and inconspicuous, and also located where they can easily be hidden by the person. For example, you can easily hide the cuts and incisions around the scalp with your hair.
Rhytidectomy is performed under "regional anesthesia with sedation" or under general anesthesia. In both methods, the patient is asleep and does not feel any pain. Postoperative swelling and bruising may be accompanied by pain, but the feeling of pain is not at a major level. The doctor will prescribe you painkillers to relieve the pain.