What is Face Lift Procedure?
Facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure to remove sagging, wrinkles, laxity and signs of aging in the face area. In this procedure, the tissues and muscles under the face are stretched, resulting in a younger appearance.
The facelift procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and patients usually stay in the hospital the same day or overnight. During the procedure, the surgeon lifts the facial skin and stretches the underlying tissues, creating a tighter appearance. In addition, additional procedures can be performed to clarify the jaw line and reduce sagging in the neck area.
After the facelift procedure, side effects such as swelling, bruising and mild pain may occur on the face of the patients. The healing process can take several weeks. After the procedure, patients should be protected from sunlight, follow an appropriate nutrition plan and should not smoke.
Facelift is generally suitable for patients between the ages of 40-60, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, before having this type of procedure, it is important to consult with a plastic surgeon to understand the advantages, disadvantages and possible risks.
What are the Stages of Face Lift?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that usually includes the following steps:
- * Anesthesia: The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or the surgeon may use general anesthesia for the comfort of the patient.
- * Incision: The surgeon makes an incision under the scalp or in the natural folds behind the ear. In this way, the incision scars become less visible.
- * Skin lift: The surgeon removes the facial skin and underlying adipose tissue, revealing the underlying muscles and tissues.
- * Stretching of muscles and tissues: The surgeon achieves a younger appearance by stretching the muscles and tissues underneath.
- * Removal of excess fat and tissues: If needed, the surgeon can also remove excess fat and tissues from the face area.
- * Skin and tissue repositioning: The surgeon repositions the removed skin and tissues for a more youthful appearance.
- * Suturing the incisions: The surgeon sutures and dressings the incisions.
During the procedure, the surgeon may focus on specific areas of the face. For example, it can focus on removing sagging and wrinkles in areas such as the eyebrows, cheeks, jawline or neck area. Operations in these areas can create different types of facelift.
How Long Is the Recovery Time After a Face Lift?
Recovery time after facelift may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the person and the scope of the procedure. However, in general, the full recovery process takes about 6 months after a facelift.
During the first few days after the procedure, facial swelling, bruising and pain are normal. The surgeon may prescribe medications to relieve pain. The person should rest for a few days after the procedure and lie down as much as possible to rest his face. In the first weeks, the person should avoid washing the face completely and moisturize and clean the face.
During the healing process, there may be mild edema and bruising on the person's face. These symptoms subside within 1-2 weeks, but it may take up to 2-3 weeks to completely disappear. After about 2-3 weeks, the person can return to normal activities, but it is recommended to avoid heavy exercise or excessive movement.
The full recovery process takes about 6 months, during which the edema on the face completely disappears, the face shape becomes clear and the wrinkles on the face are reduced. The person should continue to maintain healthy lifestyle habits to increase the permanence of the procedure.
Are There Risks to Face Lift Procedure?
As with any surgical procedure, facelift has some risks. However, these risks are usually rare and can be minimized with procedures performed by a specialist .
Possible risks of a facelift procedure may include:
- * Bleeding: Bleeding may occur during the procedure. However, this risk is usually minimized and bleeding is controlled.
- * Infection: Skin incision sites can become infected. The use of antibiotics and compliance with hygiene rules can reduce the risk of infection.
- * Loss of sensation: If the nerves around the skin incisions are damaged, temporary or permanent loss of sensation may occur.
- * Asymmetry: Facial asymmetry may occur after facelift.
- * Scarring: Permanent scars may occur from skin incisions. However, since these scars are usually made under the scalp or behind the ear, their appearance is minimized.
- * Anesthesia complications: Anesthesia-related complications can be seen after the procedure. However, the risks are minimized, as anesthesia is usually administered by specialists.
The risks of facelift may increase, especially in smokers, those with high blood pressure, those with bleeding disorders, and those who regularly use certain medications. Therefore, before the procedure, you should discuss the possible risks with your surgeon and whether the procedure is right for you.
In which age range is the facelift procedure performed?
Face lift is generally preferred by people between the ages of 40-60. However, since everyone's aging process is different, the procedure is not determined by age limit. While some people may prefer to have a facelift at an early age, some may also have the procedure after the age of 60.
Surgeons state that the most suitable candidates for a facelift procedure are those who are in good general health, have good skin tone, have significant sagging or wrinkles, and can achieve good results with a facelift.
Also, facelift can be done not only to treat signs of aging, but also due to genetic factors, environmental factors or facial trauma. Therefore, suitable candidates for facelift should be evaluated without any age limit. However, before having the procedure, it is important to discuss the possible risks with your surgeon and whether the procedure is right for you.
How Long Does a Face Lift Require?
The duration of the facelift procedure may vary depending on the scope of the procedure and the individual needs of the person. The duration of the procedure usually varies between 2-4 hours.
Exactly how long the facelift takes depends on what techniques are used. Depending on the scope of the procedure, only the facial area may need to be stretched or the neck area may need to be included. The surgeon decides which parts of the person's face need to be stretched and the duration of the procedure is determined accordingly.
Also, some surgeons may perform smaller procedures to achieve faster healing. This method is called a "mini face lift" and can be used in people with milder sagging. This method is usually completed in less time and the healing process can be faster.
However, the duration of the facelift procedure does not always affect the quality of the procedure. Your surgeon will determine the time required to achieve the best results for you.
