Facelift

The process of the facelift takes about two hours. Patients can choose between sedation and general anaesthesia. The way the facelift is performed depends on the surgeon, the structure of the patient’s face and the degree of intervention. It can be either of the following two options.

• General facelift for face and neck rejuvenation, which includes fat removal, liposculpture, as well as lifting and repositioning muscles and deeper tissues. In this case, the incision starts at the forehead, reaches the ears, passes around the ear, and fades low on the hairline. In some cases an additional incision is made under the chin.
• Neck lift focuses on loose skin around the neck and fat under the chin. The incision is made around and behind the ear, down to the line of the scalp.

In both cases, the incisions are closed with sutures or tissue glue. The stitches are usually hidden in the scalp or in the natural folds of the face.

After the operation, the doctor covers the incisions with bandages. Tubes may also be placed to help remove blood and fluid, which will be removed the next day. If sutures are used, they will be removed after a week, along with the sutures. Initially, there may be swelling, numbness, bruising and possibly a feeling of tightness or tension in the face and neck, as well as a feeling of muscle stiffness. You may also see asymmetry or slight distortion. All of these symptoms gradually subside over three to six weeks and the normal feeling of the skin returns within a few months. Gradually the redness and volume of the scars decrease, as well as the itching sensation. Most patients return to work after 2 to 3 weeks. The bruising can be covered with cosmetic products. During recovery, special attention needs to be paid to the treatment of the skin and hair. Men may need to shave the areas behind the neck and ears, where skin may have moved from the facial hair.

Some of the possible complications of facelift may be bleeding, bruising, uneven swelling, skin discoloration, anaesthesia reaction, blistering (a complication most common in smokers), and partial or total loss of sensation. face. Before the operation, the doctor explains to the patient the possibilities of complications, as well as the benefits of facelift. To schedule the first acquaintance meeting and discuss whether facelift is the right treatment for you, contact Dr. Ioannidis!