What is face lift surgery ?

Face Lift (facelift, rhytidectomy) is a surgical method that removes sagging and wrinkles due to aging by stretching and hanging. However, in recent years, all interventions related to facial aging have begun to be referred to as facial rejuvenation  

As a person gets older, the facial skin sags, wrinkles, and various spots and irregularities occur on it due to the effects of years, sun rays, daily stresses and other factors (smoking, alcohol, malnutrition). An elderly percentage; There is an image with prominent forehead lines, drooping eyebrows, drooping eyelids, bags and lines under the eyes, deep lines in the mouth-nose area, sagging cheeks, chin contours lost, neck lubrication and skin curtains. The skin has lost its vitality, sunspots and other moles have appeared, thinned and wrinkled

The aim of face lift surgery is for the patient to have a natural and young face. This surgery does not stop aging, but provides along-term (at least 5 to10 years depending on various factors) rejuvenation in the facial image. With face lift-renewal surgeries, sagging and irregularities in the forehead, face and neck skin are eliminated. Excess fat tissue on the cheek and neck is removed, facial fascia and fat tissues are pulled and hung in their anatomical places, facial tissues are reinforced,eyelids are corrected when necessary, and other complementary interventions can be performed (such as skin peeling, filling and botox)

Who are candidates ?

The ideal candidates for face lift surgery are those whose face and neck skin has begun to sag, but their skin has not yet lost its elasticity and has no other health problems. This surgery is usually applied to men and women over the age of 40. However, due to structural and genetic reasons, this type of surgery can be performed in full or in a limited manner at earlier ages. During face lift surgery, nose and eyelid aesthetics, forehead correction, eye browlifting operations can also be added to make the face look more beautiful and younger. Injection of fillers (oil, hyaluronic acid, etc.) or peeling(mechanical, chemical, laser) for fine wrinkles and botox for wrinkles can be done

Types of Face Lift surgery

Midface Lift Surgery

It is the upward movement of the sagging cheek area tissue under the eyes. It can only be done with an incision made under the eye. It can also be done endoscopically (camera system) by entering through the scalp. It is generally suitable for middle-aged patients aged 40 to 55 years. The operation is performed with local or general anesthesia,the average operation time is 2 hours

Mini Face Lift Surgery

It is usually applied to younger patients under theage of 45 to 50. These patients are those who have not sagged much in the face area yet, who have gravity and collagen loss in the cheek parts of the face and slight droping downwards in the cheek area. The operation is performed to lift the sagging cheek area of the patients. It is aimed to lift the cheek area. Loose tissue is removed from the front of the ear, the inner tissue is tightened. The operation is performed under general anesthesia, the average operation time is 2 hours

Full Face Lift Surgery

In full face lift operations, the entire cheek area, jaw line and neck are stretched with an incision starting from the scalp area of the temple, continuing in front of the ear and ending behind the ear. In full face lift surgery, not only the skin can be stretched, but also the underlying connective tissue called SMAS can be stretched, so that the connective tissues under the skin, mimic muscles and all tissues that have loosened downwards can also be intervened. With the touches made to these deep tissues under the skin,the loose and sagging elements are moved to the places where they should be on a normal face and the existing disorders are eliminated. Full face lift operations are suitable for older skin structures and are applied to patients aged 55 to 60 on average. The operation is performed under general anesthesia, the average operation time is 2 to 4 hours

Before surgery

When you have a problem with facial aging and sagging and are considering surgery, first discuss with yourself what you want and why, and then consult a plastic surgeon. Tell your doctor about your wishes and expectations one by one and discuss them with the doctor. If you are a smoker, definitely quit 10 days before the surgery. Inform your doctor about your sunbathing and skin care habits, and do not forget to ask what you need to do after the surgery in order for the surgery to give a more permanent result. Discuss the issue with the doctor several times if necessary

Operation

The operation is performed in hospital conditions, under the supervision of an anesthesiologist,in the operating room. It can be done with general anesthesia, as well as intravenous sedation (with sedative drugs) under local anesthesia. Such surgeries may take 3 to 10 hours depending on the technique and what will be done. It is possible to go home the same day, but it is usually appropriate to stay in the hospital for 1 night. Additional operations (nose, eyelids, etc.) can be done in the same session. Face lift surgery is not scarless. These traces are not obvious as they are hidden. The scars are hidden in the scalp in the temple area, in front of and behind the ear. If the fat in the sub-chin area is removed, a 3 to 5 mm. scar will remain under the chin. If eyelid and forehead lift is added, additional scars will remain on the eyelids and scalp on the forehead. These facial scars are mostly invisible and can be hidden

Postoperation

Early period after surgery usually passes on at ease. There may be a general swelling and bruising on the face, numbness and a feeling of tension. Since the facial nerves may be mildly affected by anesthesia during the surgery, there may be mild asymmetries on the face. These go away on their own in 3 to 5 days. A head wrap and cold pads are applied to the cheeks, leaving the eyes, nose and mouth open. In order to prevent the accumulation of blood in the tissue, silicone pipes called drains can be placed. The resistors are withdrawn within 2 days at the latest. The dressing is completely opened after 2 to 3 days. General inspection and dressing change is made. Hair can be washed during this period. Since dissolving type sutures are used frequently nowadays, it does not need to be removed. If non-dissolving sutures are used, they are removed after 5 to 7 days. It is recommended that patients use a special face corset for at least 2 weeks after surgery. It is necessary for the person to protect his face from physical factors and clothes while dressing, and not to move his face that is stretched during the recovery phase. When necessary, pain relievers can be used other than aspirin. In order to avoid skin losses due to blood circulation problems, one should not smoke for 1 month after the operation

Return to normal life

It gives good results if it is performed in accordance with the surgical technique. Rarely, second corrections may be necessary. From the 2nd day after the operation, the patient can stand up and do his homework. After a week, the patient can return to work and put on make-up after the swelling subsides. It is recommended to avoid heavy exercises and excessive sunlight for 2 months and to protect it from external impacts. The newly formed shape of the face and neck skin lasts for 5 to 10 years, sometimes for a lifetime, depending on the person´s structure and environmental conditions

Facial resurfacing operations

– Forehead Lift –Temporal Lift, Brow Lift – Cheek (midface, midface), Mini and Full facelift – Neck lift – Liposuction / fat injections – Eyelidaesthetics (blepharoplasty) – Rhinoplasty – Other correctivesurgeries (removal of skin lesions, dermabrasion, etc.)

Facial resurfacing aesthetic attempts

– Fillers – Fatinjection: For lip, cheek and facial contours – Injection of syntheticfillers: For wrinkles, lips and minor irregularities – Rope suspensionapplications: forehead, eyebrow, eye contour (almond eye), face, jaw line withabsorbable or permanent threads and neck lift procedures – Peelingprocedures: Chemical peeling, Mechanical peeling (dermabrasion), Laser peeling(Laserbrasion) – Botox: For skin wrinkles – Cosmetic productapplications – Peeling with cream at home, skin lightening, skin regenerationactivation purpose with