Facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical method for removing facial sagging due to aging and wrinkles by stretching and hanging. However, in recent years, all interventions related to facial aging have begun to be referred to under the name of facial rejuvenation.
As a person ages, 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.
One of the Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery surgeries, face lift surgery is also called “face lift” or “rhytidectomy” with English idioms. 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 and other complementary interventions can be performed (such as skin peeling, filling and botox).
Who is a suitable candidate for this surgery?
The ideal candidates for facelift surgery are those whose face and neck skin has begun to sag, but whose skin has not yet lost its elasticity, and who have 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, eyebrow lifting 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.
Surgery
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 3-10 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. Facelift surgery is not scarless. However, 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 3-5 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. However, these facial scars are mostly invisible and can be hidden.
After Surgery
After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital for one night and is discharged afterwards.
Although pain is not an expected situation, pain can be seen that can be relieved by painkillers. In some cases, drains are placed to be removed after 1-2 days. Swelling and bruises on the face are possible. However, it almost completely disappears within 1-2 weeks. After this period, the patient returns to his daily life.
The effect period of appropriate facelift surgeries performed on suitable patients lasts for 8-10 years. However, it is useful to keep in mind that aging continues in the post-operative period as well.
Face Resurfacing Operations
- Forehead lift – eyebrow lift
- Cheek (midface) lift
- Neck stretching
- Liposuction
- Eyelid aesthetics
- Nose aesthetics
- Other corrective surgeries (removal of skin lesions, dermabrasion etc.)
Face Resurfacing Aesthetic Attempts
- Fills
- Fat injection: For lip, cheek and facial contours
- Injection of synthetic fillers: For wrinkles, lips and minor irregularities
- Peeling procedures (Peeling-Chemical peeling-Mechanical peeling=dermabrasion- Laser peeling (Laserbrasion)
- Botox: For skin wrinkles
- Cosmetic product applications – Peeling with cream at home, lightening the skin, activating skin regeneration
What is Aesthetic Forehead (Temple) Lift Surgery?
Normally, there are transverse lines on the forehead, the depth of which differs from person to person. Between the eyebrows, these lines become vertical. As with the facial skin, the forehead skin begins to loosen and sag in parallel with the progression of age and the existing lines become deeper. Over time, the eyebrows go down and a tired-looking facial expression emerges. Malnutrition, smoking, irregular lifestyle, stress, air pollution, inadequate or no skin care, the effect of gravity and facial expressions facilitate this aesthetically disturbing result.
Who Is Eligible For This Surgery?
This surgery is usually applied to male and female patients over the age of 40 who have no other health problems. With forehead lift surgery, the lines on the forehead are minimized. The eyebrows drooping over the eyes are lifted and brought to where they should be, giving the person a fresh look. At the same time, some of the lines near the eyes can be removed to some extent. If there is a large amount of sagging and the skin needs to be removed, the classical forehead lift method is applied. In the classical method, the hairline is 4-5 cm. A crown-like scar remains behind, but this scar is hidden in the scalp. However, when this method is applied, there is a long-lasting temporary loss of sensation on the scalp. Eyebrow lift surgery, which is performed to restore the eyebrows to their normal state, is an operation that is intertwined with forehead lift surgery. Also, there is no need for eyebrow hanging surgery. It is not a preferred method to hang the eyebrows and partially stretch the forehead by entering only from the temple area.
Surgery
Forehead lift surgery can be performed by endoscopic method recently. In patients who do not need to remove excess tissue, the same result can be obtained with 3 or 4 incisions of 2 cm in the scalp from behind the hairline. This method is used in most of the patients. In this method, the post-operative period is more comfortable, there is no loss of sensation on the scalp or it is minimal. 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 local anesthesia and intravenous sedation (intravenous sleeping) method. It takes about 1.5-2 hours. It is possible to go home the same day. It can be applied simultaneously with other aesthetic surgeries when necessary. Then the duration of surgery and hospital stay will be prolonged.
After Surgery
Early period after surgery usually passes on at ease. There may be general swelling and bruising on the forehead and around the eyes. There may be a feeling of drowsiness and tension. These go away on their own within 2 weeks. Head wraps can be applied to leave eyes, nose and mouth open. The dressing is opened after 2 days. General inspection and dressing change is made. The hair is washed and the dressing is put back on if necessary. Stitches are removed after 5-7 days.