Face & Neck Lift
Over the years, sagging due to the effect of gravity and aging occurs on the face. During this aging process, sagging in the cheeks, growth and sagging in the jowl, wrinkles, reduction of soft tissues on the cheekbones, partial indentations and bulges occur. These changes cause an aged appearance as well as tired and sad expression.
Face lift surgery is based on tightening of the facial ligaments and removal of excess skin causing sagging on the face. Although mild sagging and aging can be treated by using non-surgical procedures, face lift operation or face lift operation combined with fat injection, eyelid cosmetic surgery is recommended for advanced sagging.
In this surgery, the incisions are planned so as to be hidden in the hairline, ear line and behind the ear. The incision beginning from the inside of the hair is advanced along the front of the ear and behind the ear. If the patient is young and the extent of tissue sagging is moderate, the operation may be completed without posterior ear incision. The skin of the cheek is lifted and tightening sutures are made on the underlying tissue, called SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) that involves the facial muscles. Afterwards, the excess skin tissue is removed and the remaining tissue is sutured. Such an operation lasts about 3-4 hours. The patient is discharged 1-2 days later. The drains placed to prevent blood accumulation are pulled out within 1-2 days. After the surgery, there will be bruise and swelling on the face. A special mask is used for 2 weeks until this oedema dissolves. Mild asymmetries may be seen on the face due to tensed nerves during the surgery and oedema, these will spontaneously heal within 4-5 days. There is no need for suture removal since a self-absorbable material is used for sutures. Depending on the skin type of the individual, a hardly visible scar remains on the incision areas. These scars are less noticeable in light-skinned patients.
Although rare, complications such as bleeding or accumulation of blood under the skin, development of malnutrition in the end tissues on the incision borders and loss of sensation in the face and neck skin, injury of some of the branches of the facial nerves and loss of mimics may occur.
In properly selected patients, face lift surgery provides good results that cannot be obtained with other methods. Although the new facial shape undergoes mild changes due to ageing, the result is permanent for many years.