Face lift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical method to relieve aging of the face by stretching and lifting wrinkles. In recent years, however, all interventions to facial aging are referred as facial rejuvenation.
As people age, sagging, wrinkles, various spots and irregularities develop on facial skin because of the sun rays, daily stress and other factors (cigarette, alcohol, poor nutrition).
An aged face reveals distinct forehead lines, fallen eyebrows, drooping eyelids and cheeks, under eye bags and lines, deep lines around lips and nose, lost jaw contours, fatty neck and excess skin. The skin has lost its vitality, sunspots and other moles are formed; it’s thinner and wrinkled.
During face lift surgery, nose and eyelids aesthetics, forehead correction, eyebrow lifting operations can be performed to make the face look more beautiful and younger. For fine wrinkles, filler injections (fat, hyaluronic acid, etc.) or peeling (mechanical, chemical, laser) and botox are preferable.
This type of surgery can take 3-10 hours depending on the technique and interventions to be made. It is possible to go home the same day, but it is common to stay in hospital for one night. Additional procedures (nose, eyelid, etc.) can be performed in the same session.
There are postoperative scars but they are not obvious as they are hidden. Scars are hidden in the temporal sides, in the scalp, in front of and behind the ears. If fat under the chin is removed, there is a 3-5 mm scar left below the chin. If the eyelid and forehead liftings are added, additional scars are left on the eyelids and scalp. However, these scars on the face are mostly invisible and hidden.
Post Operation
Early period after the surgery usually passes on comfortably. There may be an overall swelling and bruising on the face, numbness and tightness. There may be slight asymmetries on the face as the facial nerves may be lightly affected by anesthesia during surgery.
It will be recovered within 3-5 days spontaneously. Head is bandaged leaving eyes, nose and mouth uncovered and cold pads are applied to the cheeks. Silicon pipes called drain can be inserted in order to prevent the accumulation of blood in the tissues.
Drains are taken out within 2 days at the latest. The bandages are completely removed after 2-3 days. General control is done and dressings are changed . Hair can be washed during this period. If the stitches are not dissolvable, they are removed after 5-7 days.
Going Back to Daily Life
The results are pleasing if the surgery is done with proper technique. Revisions are rarely necessary. 2nd day after the surgery, the patient can get up and do easy work around home. They can return to work one week post-operation after swellings have gone down.
It is recommended to avoid heavy exercises and excessive sunlight for 2-months, and to protect against external impacts. The new shape of the skin of the face and neck sometimes lasts for 5-10 years and sometimes for life, depending on the structure of the person and the environmental conditions.