Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery, known medically as a rhytidectomy, aims to tighten and smooth the face by reducing or removing excess, sagging skin. The procedure is used to smooth lines and wrinkles, leaving you with a fresher and more youthful appearance. There are a number of different techniques used when carrying out facelift surgery, but skin is most commonly reduced or removed around the eyes, mouth, and jawline.

How Does It Work?

When it comes to performing facelift surgery, there are a few different techniques and methods that are used. However, there are common steps that are involved in all methods. For instance, facelifts are usually carried out using a general anesthetic although some mini facelifts are performed under local anesthetic or sedation. The procedure typically takes between 2-4 hours and will usually require an overnight stay at the hospital or clinic. When you wake up, you can expect to have dressings on your face and drainage tubes attached. You may experience some pain and tightness, but painkillers will be provided.

As previously mentioned, there are a lot of different types of facelifts, but below we’ve laid out a general step by step guide of what to expect during a typical surgery.

1. Making incisions: The surgeon will make incisions above the hairline on either side of the head. The cuts will extend past the front of the ear, underneath the earlobe, and to behind the ear.

2. Additional incisions: Extra cuts will also be made underneath the chin if the jawline is being lifted too.

3. Removing surplus skin: The extra, sagging surplus skin will be removed in the chosen areas.

4. Upwards and backwards: The remaining skin will be pulled upwards and backwards to a new position. Stitches are then used to fix it in position.

5. Bandages: Bandages are then applied to the face in order to reduce swelling and minimise bruising.

The Different Types of Facelift Surgery

The steps above describe a traditional facelift procedure. It’s also common for keyhole surgery to be undertaken as a technique, in order to tighten muscles and remove excess fat. Although, this is usually more suited to brow lifts and upper facelifts. Recovery times and results may vary in this case, but your doctor will be able to best advise which method is right for you. There are a number of other facelift techniques available and we’ve briefly outlined these below.

What Should I Expect From Facelift Surgery?

Many patients opt for facelift surgery because they’re unhappy with their appearance. You might lack self-confidence because you feel you look older than you should, or you might just want to reverse the clock and bring a more youthful and refreshed look to your face. During the consultation with your doctor, you will agree together where your problem areas are and how best to tackle them in order to achieve optimum results. Some patients choose to combine their facelift with neck lift surgery, but you’ll have the opportunity to discuss all these options with your doctor during your initial consultations.

Facelifts are a popular procedure, but it’s important that you’re fully aware of the risks and potential side effects before you decide to undergo the treatment. You’ll be given general anesthetic for your treatment, meaning that you’ll be completely unconscious throughout the procedure. This might make you feel drowsy and disoriented when you wake up. You’ll also wake up with bandages on your face which can be unnerving, but this is perfectly normal. Discomfort after surgery is usually relatively mild and will be controlled using pain medication if necessary.

You may also experience some numbness of the skin after your facelift surgery, but this will likely subside after a few weeks to months. Bruising is typically visible for two weeks, and it might take around six to nine months to see the full results of the surgery.

Facelift Surgery: Abroad or at Home?

Travelling to have a facelift abroad is becoming an increasingly popular option. There are a few reasons that help to explain this recent surge in popularity.

• Lower prices: Facelift costs abroad are often significantly cheaper than in places like Ireland or the UK. Travelling to undergo facelift surgery in Turkey for example, can save you a significant amount of money, even after factoring in the cost of travelling.

• Price + quality: These lower prices are also combined with a high-quality of care that’s on offer when for international patients. Some of the most renowned and highly-experienced doctors are based at clinics in places like Poland and Hungary.

• Unique treatment packages: Many clinics and doctors abroad also offer unique treatment packages for international patients. As well as the price for the treatment itself, these packages can also cover accommodation, airport pickups, and transfers to and from the clinic.

Popular Clinics, Doctors, and Locations

Interested in finding out more about the specific clinics that offer facelift surgery and the people involved? Check out our clinic and doctor profiles which cover all the important details like a doctors’ qualifications, experience, accreditations, and reviews from past patients. The KCM Clinic in Poland for example, is an extremely popular choice for those looking to undergo facelift surgery. Dr. Marta Wilczyńska-Staniul, MD, is one of the leading doctors at this clinic. With over 22 years of experience and more than 400 treatments performed, she’s a great choice for anyone looking to start their facelift journey.

Why Choose Qunomedical?

At Qunomedical, we take a patient first approach to healthcare. There’s no exceptions when it comes to this. We are on a mission to revolutionize the industry, with the goal of ensuring that everyone can access high-quality, affordable care, regardless of their background. To do this, we employ a strict and thorough vetting process when it comes to searching for clinics and doctors. We developed a unique and proprietary scoring system which we called Qunoscore. Qunoscore uses 21 unique data points when assessing the suitability of a doctor or clinic. This ensures that the care you receive is high-quality yet still affordable.