Face Lift Surgery

Facelift surgery (Rhytidectomy) is an operation that helps to provide a more youthful and vibrant effect on your face. This procedure helps to fix the sagging and wrinkles that come with aging.

What is Face Lift and Why It is Done?

A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that helps to give people a more youthful facial look by repairing or treating the soft tissues and skin which has lost their elasticity and firmness over time. Aging affects the general appearance of the face. Skin loses its elasticity; tight fat cells become loose. A facelift is one of the most effective methods to reduce age-related changes. Cheeks, jowls, and the side of your nose will be reshaped with this procedure.

Face Lift Procedure

As with every cosmetic procedure, a facelift starts with a consultation. The plastic surgeon will explain the operation phases in detail. Your medical condition is obtained, your facial region is examined, and the doctor receives your medical background by asking specific questions. You should be realistic with your answers and also about your expectations to have a successful operation experience. The surgeon may want you to follow these instructions:

• • Stop using blood-thinner medications,
• • Avoid eating the day before the surgery,
• • Arrange someone to pick you up from the hospital.
• • Take a break from drinking alcohol and smoking.

Better quit smoking for good. A facelift procedure typically is done under general anesthesia; however, it can also be applied with local anesthesia or with sedation. The best method will be determined by the consensus of the patient, anesthetist, and surgeon. During the surgery, the excess skin and fat are removed. Facial muscles are tightened, fat repositioning is applied and finally, the incision is sutured with stitches. The incision size and location change according to the type of the facelift. The operation takes 3 to 4 hours; however, it is possible to take more time. For example, if a facelift application is done with other operations, the duration of the operation will be longer.

Face Lift Recovery Period

The facelift is an outpatient procedure, so the patient discharges from the hospital on the same day. Since the facelift operation is done under anesthesia, you should not go home all by yourself. It is recommended to arrange for someone to take you home. It is normal to experience pain, bruising, numbness, and swelling. These negative side effects will go away in time. You should follow your surgeon’s instructions and you must attend follow-up appointments. Post-operative care is also essential for recovery. You should use recommended facial cream and shampoo, you must protect your face from heavy impacts; you should not use makeup, not lift heavy objects, or not get professional teeth whitening sessions.