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Facelift

You are not happy with the sagging appearance of your face? You had enough of the signs of aging, and you want to look younger and fresh? Then facelift is what you’re looking for!

What Is Facelift?

When you get older, gravity negatively affects your skin. Sagging, loss of elasticity, and wrinkles begin to appear on your face. Facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure performed to reduce the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening muscles and redraping of the skin of your face and neck. A facelift is generally combined with other procedures such as eyelid lift and forehead lift.

Worldwide, more than a hundred thousand people have facelift operation each year. If you have a strong bone structure and still have some skin elasticity while having a facial sagging, you can be a candidate, too.

Learn More

Problems & Solutions

Facelift is a customized procedure tailored according to patients’ specific needs. Here you can find answers for different complaints.

I want to have a facelift, but I don’t want to get a pulled-up look.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of unfortunate examples. We really understand your concern. Selecting...

I’m 45. I have a mild degree of jowling and sagging.

If you have a mild degree of jowling and sagging skin, you can be a good candidate for a mini facelift...

After losing weight, I’m left with sagging in my face and neck.

If you seek optimal correction to significant facial sagging, a traditional/standard facelift may be...

I want to have a facelift, does it include browlift and eyelid lift?

It is common a lot of people think that a facelift procedure involves any type of facial rejuvenation surgery...

I don’t want my friends to know that I’ve had a facelift.

If you only have a problem in your cheek area, then a mid-facelift procedure can be suitable for your...

I have a mild sagging problem in my face and neck.

The S-lift is one of the mini facelift techniques which helps to improve the appearance of mild to moderate...

I’m looking for a nonsurgical but effective facelift option.

A stem sell facelift, also known as a liquid facelift, is a nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedure that uses...

Testimonials

Experience speaks for itself! Hear out what our patients have said:

Thanks to facelift surgery, my face is rejuvenated by about ten years. I got rid of sagging, unwanted lines, and wrinkles on my face. Everything I was complaining about. My results are better than I could ever have imagined. I feel refreshed.
Hilary Brown Facelift
With respect to overall experience, apart from the surgery, what I liked the most was communication. Before and after the surgery, the clinic is always with you. They inform you even if you don’t ask and they quickly answer everything you ask.
Meagan Lilly Facelift

Why Clineca?

At Clineca, we take everything seriously. We understand how important the results are for you. We care about your health and comfort as much as you do. From beginning to end, we inform you, guide you, serve you, and help you.

Fully Set Hospitals


Surgeries are performed in prestigious fully equipped hospitals in which doctors from all specialties are present.

Free Consultation


You will have an online consultation with your surgeon via video chat. After an online examination, and will help you to choose what's the best.

Superior Quality


We cooperate with the surgeons who perform a limited number of surgeries each week to ensure the best results.

24/7 Assistance


You can contact our agents 7 days and 24 hours for your questions and concerns, or only support. We'll be fully available for your service.

5-Star Hotels


We provide you with special discounts in luxurious hotels in the vicinity of the hospital. Your comfort is very important to us.

VIP Transportation


We provide airport transfer and transportation between your hotel and the hospital before/after the surgery via VIP vehicles.

Wellbeing Support


As Clineca, we provide you with patient accompaniment, who will visit you every day in your hotel room during the resting period.

No Hidden Costs


The price includes fees of the surgeon, operating room, hospitalization, tests, medications and medical visits by a nurse.

All-Inclusive


The price includes hotel layover (including breakfast), and transportation between the airport, the hotel and the hospital.

Services & Products


Interpreter service, BBL pillow, neck pillow (rhinoplasty), eye mask, voltage converter and many others that will enhance your satisfaction.

Why Turkey?


Turkey is a leading player in medical tourism, and Istanbul, which is an extremely beautiful touristic city, is the plastic surgery capital of Turkey.

Step by Step Experience for International Patients

Clineca has a holistic approach. We believe that everything should be right for a satisfactory cosmetic surgery experience, including your days in Istanbul. We plan every detail of your journey.

1
Knowing Each Other

After you fill the form, one of our agents will contact you. They will inform you about the whole experience, in detail. If requested, they will arrange an online consultation for you.

2
Online Consultation

You'll have an online consultation with your surgeon via video chat. They will perform an online examination and help you to choose what the best approach to your case is.

3
Planning

We'll plan your whole journey including your surgery date and accommodation. We'll inform you about every need; from preparing your suitcase to advice before the procedure.

4
Landing

Our VIP transportation vehicle will be ready at the airport for you. We’ll drive you to the hospital and they'll get a blood and the C19 test. Then, we'll take you to your hotel.

5
Examination & Surgery

We’ll take you from your hotel to the hospital. After your examination, the same day you’ll have the surgery. You will stay at the hospital 1-2 day(s), depending on the procedure.

6
Resting & Recovering

After your stay at the hospital, we'll drive you to your hotel. A wellbeing assistant will visit you every day to inform you, to examine, and to provide medical care during the week.

7
Entertainment

We'll gladly and proudly show you around our beautiful city. We’ll be very happy to provide you with professional guidance in historical sightseeing, shopping and entertainment.

8
Follow-Up & Leaving

We’ll take you to 1-week follow-up. After your examination and removal of bandages if required, we’ll inform you about the recovery period. Then, we'll drive you to the airport.

9
Recovery Period

During your recovery, we'll inform you, check on you, and answer your questions 24 hours and 7 days. We'll expect you to send photos periodically to follow your recovery period.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Facelift Surgery?

It is not hard to be eligible for a facelift procedure. If you are reading this, you are probably a candidate!

You may be a good candidate:

  • If the skin of your face is saggy due to reasons such as aging, gravity, hormonal changes, genetics, smoking and have wrinkles, loss of elasticity and facial volume loss
  • If you have lines and folds in your lower face (cheeks, jowls, and neck)
  • If you are in your late thirties and upward and you are in good health with a strong bone structure and a skin elasticity
Learn More

What are the Expected Outcomes of Facelift Surgery?

The outcomes of facelift can be analyzed in two main categories: aesthetical and psychological.

Aesthetical Outcomes

Facelift can address all kinds of aesthetical concerns, related to the signs of aging, about your face. A facelift procedure improves the most visible signs of aging. Through facelift, you look younger and fresher, you will have a more youthful appearance. Your face is rejuvenated by about five to ten years. You will get rid of sagging, unwanted lines, and wrinkles on the skin of your face.

Psychological Outcomes

The psychological outcomes of the procedure are as important as the physical ones. For most people, sagging or deformed appearance of the face is a big concern. If you are not happy with the appearance of your face, you can experience serious psychological distress, which can negatively affect your self-confidence and social life. After the procedure, you will have a more positive self-image. Your newly lifted youthful face will boost your self-confidence.

How Is a Facelift Surgery Done?

Facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed to change the appearance of the face. It is a complex surgery customized according to needs and wishes of the patient.

Anesthesia

First thing, you will receive anesthesia medications. Depending on the particular case, the surgery can be performed using either general anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation.

Surgery

The details of the surgery depend on the patient’s needs and the surgeon’s approach. Our contracted surgeons are capable of performing several different facelift techniques. And, this surgery is a customized procedure. What’s suitable for you depends on your anatomical characteristics and your desired goals

Broadly; after the incisions are made, the skin is detached from the underlying tissues and muscles which allows your surgeon to reposition the deeper facial tissues, get rid of the jowls and form a firmer basis for the skin. Excess fat in the neck and face might be sculpted, removed, or redistributed. Right after that, the excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is redraped over the newly repositioned facial tissues. Finally, the wound is stitched and closed.*1

Incisions

Incision types can vary, and the differences depend on the extent of the incision and the degree of the lift necessary. There are typically three types of incisions:

  • A traditional/standard facelift incision begins on your temporal side just behind the hairline, moves down and around the front of the ears, hidden in the natural creases surrounding the ear and ends behind the ears in the lower scalp.
  • A limited incision is shorter, and it starts in your hairline just above the ear, wraps around in front of the ear. It does not extend all the way down to the lower scalp.
  • A neck lift incision starts in front of the earlobe and goes around the ear down to the lower scalp, and a small incision is also made under your chin.
Risks and Complications*3*4

Facelift surgery can be done by employing one of the 4 major techniques, which would be decided on your facial anatomy, your problems and desires as well as the surgeon’s preference. The complications and risks can be split into 2 as early and late complications, regarding when they present themselves.

    Early Complications:

  • Hematoma: 0-9%
  • Facial Nerve Injury: less than 1%
  • Skin Necrosis: risk is x12 higher in smokers, thus ceasing smoking before the operation for at least 2 weeks (4 would be even better) recommended.
  • Embolism: Although the risk may be very low for an embolism to happen, if it does, it carries a ~0.25% mortality rate, thus should be taken very seriously.
  • Seroma: It’s a build up of clear fluid, not dangerous, but can be painful and uncomfortable. They usually form around the neck area.
  • Sialocele/ Parotid Fistula: These salivary gland related issues are extremely rare but easy to address; sialocele if there is a subcutaneous cavity that is filled with saliva, and parotid fistula if there occurs an opening between a salivary gland and skin or mucosa like a tract. They can be corrected with botox injections.

    Late Complications:

  • Platysmal Banding: Related to aging, the muscle on the neck called Plastysma muscle that allows mimic expressions start to lose tone and the skin on the muscle start to sag. It is called as plastysmal banding. Of around the 10% that makes up the revision facelifts (from all facelift operations), it accounts for the 87% of them.
  • Contour Deformities: Untreated seromas or hematomas are the main cause for the contour deformities, although lack of experience of the surgeon can contribute to this as well.
  • Pixie Ear: over-resection of the cheek skin can cause an attached earlobe. It can be corrected with a secondary surgery.
  • Loss of Tragal Definition: Tragus is the little bulge right in front of the ear canal entrance. If the technique employed involves a posterior tragal incision, and the thick cheek skin gets advanced over the tragal cartilage, the definition can be lost. The majority of this problem is encountered in patients with thick facial skin and significant excess skin. It can be corrected via corrective surgery.
  • Scarring: Most likely to occur in active smokers.
  • Alopecia: It’s seen in 2.9% of the patients, although with highly experienced surgeons, the risk is lower.

What To Expect During An Facelift Surgery Recovery?

The First Week

After the surgery, your incisions might be covered with bandages to decrease swelling and bruising. A small drainage tube might be placed under the skin behind your ears. The day after surgery, these will be removed, and your surgeon will apply some antibiotic ointment to your incisions and cover your face with new bandages. 2-3 days after your facelift operation, you might be freed from bandages and wear an elasticized facial sling. You may experience some pain and discomfort within this period, but it can be eased with pain medication. Besides, you can apply cold compress to your face to ease pain and decrease swelling. About a week after surgery, your surgeon will remove your stitches and assess your healing rate. Depending on your healing process, you may need to take 2-3 weeks off work.

Later

Swelling and bruising will gradually disappear and should be difficult to notice after about 1-2 weeks. Within two weeks, you will be able to return to your normal daily activities. After four to six weeks, you can return to strenuous exercises and demanding physical activities. 6-8 weeks after the surgery, the scars will start to fade. In addition, you will be more vulnerable to sunlight for several weeks, and you should wear a hat and apply sunscreen regularly. A few months after the surgery, your recovery will be completed. During your whole recovery period, your surgeon and Clineca will inform you and guide you.

Guidance & Support

A wellbeing assistant will visit you in your hotel room every day during the first week after the surgery. We will expect you to be in our clinic for your post-op examination 1 week after the surgery, before you leave Istanbul. We will still follow your recovery process while you are away. Clineca will provide you with complete support and inform you about everything you need to know during your recovery. We will be with you from your consultation to the very end of your recovery.

Quote from the Doctor

“Facelift procedure does miracles for suitable patients. With the help of advanced surgical techniques and easily combinable lifting procedures, we are able to work to ‘turn back the clock’, for our patients.”

What to Do Before the Facelift Surgery?

During your online consultation, your surgeon will ask you questions about your medical history. It is of critical importance that you give your doctor every detail, from the conditions you might have to the operations you had in the past, to the medications and supplements you use, to minimize the risks the surgery could bring. They will also conduct a physical examination. Your surgeon will inform you about everything you need to know before the surgery. Clineca will provide you with complete guidance and support before your surgery. You will have a complete and detailed list of instructions.

Instructions

Most important instructions include,

  • Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery.
  • Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen and aspirin) for 2 weeks before the procedure.
  • Avoid herbal remedies and supplements
  • Take only the medications approved by your surgeon.

What to Do After the Facelift Surgery?

What you need to do after the surgery will be explained to you in detail by your surgeon and Clineca will provide you with all the support and guidance you need. Most important instructions include:

  • Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks after the surgery.
  • You will be seen in the next few days for bandages and dressings or drain removal.
  • Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications after the surgery until your surgeon approves using them.
  • Take pain medication and antibiotics prescribed for you by your surgeon.
  • Your surgeon may recommend an elasticized facial sling if it is needed.
  • You have to rest with your head elevated.
  • You can apply cool packs to your face to ease the pain and swelling.
  • Avoid alcohol and steam baths for several months.
  • Love yourself and show the world how younger and fresher you are!

Quote from the Doctor

“Of course, there are non-surgical cosmetic procedures for the face. But the most effective treatment against the most of the marks of aging on the face is facelift surgery.”

FAQ

We know you have many questions. Having realistic expectations and deciding to have a cosmetic surgery requires information. Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions about facelift surgery.

Facelift is a surgical procedure performed to reduce the most visible signs of aging in your face such as sagging, loss of elasticity and wrinkles by removing excess skin, redistributing facial fat and redraping the skin of the face and neck.
All surgical procedures have some risks. However, if it is performed by an experienced and talented surgeon, the risk of having a serious problem is very small.
During the surgery, you will not feel any pain because of the anesthetics being used. Your surgeon will decide what’s the best option of anesthesia; local or general; for you and in either case, you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
The procedure is done using intravenous sedation combined with local anesthesia, which only numbs the face. In some cases, though, general anesthesia, which makes you unconscious, is used. Your surgeon will decide the best option for you.
A facelift surgery can take 2 to 4 hours, but if other lifting or cosmetic procedures are included, it might take longer. Your surgeon will give you an estimate about the duration of your procedure.
About a week after the surgery, your surgeon will remove your stitches and assess your healing rate. Swelling and bruises will gradually disappear and should be difficult to notice after about 1-2 weeks. Roughly, within two weeks, you will be able to return to your normal daily activities
You should refrain from strenuous exercises and stretching for up to 4 weeks after the surgery. Your surgeon will follow your recovery and will tell you when you are ready. It usually takes 4-6 weeks.
Ultimately, all methods require an incision, which equals scarring. However, the incisions are generally made behind the ear and the hairline. So, they will be concealed and also will fade over time.
If you are a man or woman whose face and neck begun to sag, but who have still skin elasticity and a strong bone structure, you are a good candidate for facelift.
Although the normal aging process cannot be stopped, when performed by an experienced surgeon, your results will not only look natural, but will age naturally with you. If you have a facelift at 50, you may look 40 via surgery. 10 years later, you will look 50.
If you work with highly experienced and understanding doctors such as our clinic’s contracted doctors who have one of the highest patient satisfaction rates in the country, you will absolutely be satisfied with your results. They are highly experienced in facelift operations and with their stuff, they work tenderly to provide high quality care and fascinating results. Moreover, as Clineca we provide support throughout your experience in Istanbul, from medical equipments to 7/24 translators to providing you with wellbeing assistance.
Mini facelift uses smaller incisions than the standard facelift, and it is also less invasive but, the technique that will be used in your specific procedure will be tailored to you as it depends on your anatomical limitations as well as your needs.*2
As any other surgery, facelift surgery has some risks. Most common ones include hematoma, scarring, infection, numbness.
Your surgeon will prepare a detailed and customized plan by discussing your goals, desires, and expectations with you. They will ask you some questions about your medical history. It is of critical importance that you give your doctor every detail, from the conditions you might have to the operations you had in the past, to the medications and supplements you use, to minimize the risks the surgery could bring. They will also conduct a physical examination, and provide treatment options and before-after photos.
At Clineca, we are using 3D Imaging System. This technology provides a preview of your new, ideally proportioned, and lifted face before your facelift procedure begins.
Through facelift, you will have a tighter and fresh-looking face. Thus, you will have a more youthful appearance. Your face will be rejuvenated by about five to ten years. Sagging, unwanted lines, and wrinkles on your face will be gotten rid of.
Within two weeks, most of the swelling will be gone. Numbness can last from days to several weeks.
It is rare for someone under the age of 35 to have a facelift, as in those ages the signs of aging can be corrected easily with non-surgical procedures. Many doctors consider the ages between 45-55 as ideal for the facelift procedure. The earlier you get a facelift, the longer the effects will be, and that is a fact.
Choosing a surgeon who is not qualified enough may cause unintended consequences. If you work with a highly experienced and an understanding doctor, you will absolutely be satisfied with your results. Our contracted doctors are highly experienced in facelift surgeries.
A facelift procedure only addresses the lower two thirds of the face (cheeks, jowls, and neck). If you’re concerned about the appearance of your eyelids, you should consider an eyelid surgery.

Problems & Solutions

Facelift is a customized procedure tailored according to patients’ specific needs. Here you can find answers for different complaints.

Sadly, there are a lot of unfortunate examples. We genuinely understand your concern. Selecting a talented and an experienced surgeon to obtain a natural and rejuvenated appearance is the key in this procedure. You should look before and after photos that were provided by the surgeon. If you work with a highly experienced professional, you get realistic and desired natural-looking results. Besides, at Clineca, we are using a 3D Imaging System. This technology provides a preview of your new, ideally proportioned, and lifted face before your facelift procedure even begins! Therefore, you have a general picture of how your face is going to look like after surgery, before having the surgery.
If your problems are mild, you can be a good candidate for the mini facelift procedure. Mini facelift is a less invasive technique which allows the surgeon to tighten facial tissues by making shorter incision, which are generally located through the hairline, above the ears or in the natural creases neighboring the ears. In order to correct the sagging and the jowl and rejuvenate a tired appearance, deep structural tissues around the cheeks are tightened. However, facelift surgeries are customized and individualized according to the patient's needs and your surgeon will recommend the best option for your individual needs. Please contact us for further information and consultation.
If you seek optimal correction to significant facial sagging, a traditional/standard facelift may be the appropriate procedure for your case. This procedure can address moderate to significant aging and sagging around the mid-face and neck. In this procedure, incisions are located just behind the hairline and around the ears, hidden in the natural creases. A small incision under the chin may be placed. Through incisions, a plastic surgeon can reposition the deep structural tissues under the skin and flatten creases, eliminate sagging under the chin and the unwanted jowl, and remove the excess skin. Then, the face and neck can be restored to a natural and youthful contour. However, facelift surgeries are customized and individualized according to the patient’s needs and your surgeon will recommend the best option for your individual case. Please contact us for further information and consultation.
It is commonly thought that a facelift procedure involves every type of facial rejuvenation surgery operating on the entire face (cheeks, neck, chin, eyes, brows). It is understandable, since the eyes and brows are part of the face, too. However, this is not the case. A facelift procedure only addresses the lower thirds of the face (cheeks, jowls, and neck). If you have concerns about your eyelids and brows, you should consider eyelid surgery and brow lift. Fortunately, these operations can easily be combined and performed during the same surgery. Our contracted surgeons are highly experienced at combined procedures. During your consultation, your surgeon will conduct a physical examination and recommend the best options for your individual needs.
After the surgery, your incisions will be covered with bandages to decrease swelling and bruising, as well as to ensure the best possible results. 2-3 days after your facelift operation, you might be freed from your bandages and wear an elasticized facial sling. About a week after the surgery, your surgeon will remove your stitches and assess your healing rate. Swelling and bruises will gradually disappear and should be difficult to notice after about 1-2 weeks. Roughly, within two weeks, you will be able to return to your normal daily activities. However, you may still have some swelling and bruising, and you may want to conceal them with makeup. Therefore, you may need to postpone seeing your friends for about two weeks, if you don’t want them to know.
Incisions are generally positioned behind the hairline on the temporal sides, above the ears and continue behind the earlobe, hidden in the natural folds or behind the hairline. Over time, the scars will start to fade, and twill become unnoticeable. If your neck area is included in the procedure, a small incision will be made under the chin. But this will also be unnoticeable when someone looks you directly in the face. With the help of advanced surgical techniques and experienced plastic surgeons, scars can be kept to a minimum. So, you don’t have to be worried about scarring.
If you only have a problem on your cheeks, then a mid-facelift procedure will be the most suitable for your case. A mid-facelift, also known as a cheek lift, focuses on the sagging of the cheeks and the surrounding area. For most patients, a traditional facelift may not entirely treat the upper cheek and under eye hollows of the face, a mid-facelift can address all these problems, fully. This procedure can provide fullness to the eyes and cheeks, can help to smooth the smile lines and lift the corners of the lips. So, the result will be a refreshed and rejuvenated look which will be more permanent than injectables and the recovery is quicker than a traditional facelift.
The mild sagging on the face and neck can be corrected by an S-lift. The S-lift is one of the mini facelift techniques which helps to improve the appearance of mild to moderate sagging in the lower third of the face and neck (jowls and neck). In the S-lift procedure, an S shaped, less invasive, small incision is made to separate the skin from the underlying tissues. After the skin is lifted, the surgeon tightens the muscles and then the incision is closed with stitches. This procedure allows having a shorter recovery and fewer risks when compared to the traditional/standard facelift. Through S-lift, you can achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance. However, facelift surgeries are customized and individualized according to the patient’s needs and so, your surgeon will recommend the best option for your individual needs. Please contact us for further information and consultation.
Then you are in luck! There is a technique called stem cell facelift, also known as a liquid facelift, which is a nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedure that uses your own stem cells extracted from your body fat to restore a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. There is no cutting, pulling, or scarring! During this procedure, your stem cells within fat cells are extracted via liposuction and after processing, it is injected back into the face. By grafting fat, volume and contour can be added to the face. This procedure corrects the volume loss, which is the most apparent sign of aging, without changing the natural anatomy of your face, and it can be performed under local anesthesia. During your consultation, your surgeon will give you further information and recommend the best option for your unique needs.
References

1. Charafeddine, A., Drake, R., McBride, J., & Zins, J. E. (2019). Facelift. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.cps.2019.05.001

2. Van Pham, T., & Truong, K. (2020). Short or Minimum Incision Deep Plane/Extended Deep Plane Facelift/Rhytidectomy. Facial plastic surgery : FPS, 36(4), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1714118

3. Ahmed M Hashem, MD, Rafael A Couto, MD, Chris Surek, DO, Marco Swanson, MD, James E Zins, MD, FACS, Facelift Part II: Surgical Techniques and Complications, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 41, Issue 10, October 2021, Pages NP1276–NP1294. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab081

4. Brennan, D. (2021, April 12). What is a Seroma? WebMD. May 12, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-a-seroma