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Facelift in Turkey: Say Hello to Your Youth Again!

The marks left on our face by time, gravity, and lifestyle changes can cause our skin to lose its elasticity and sag. This can make the person look older, tired, or unhappy. Facelift surgery, one of the most effective solutions offered by modern aesthetic surgery, aims to achieve a more taut, smooth, and youthful appearance by removing sagging in the face and neck area. Turkey is a popular choice for those considering facelifts with its high standards of service, experienced surgeons, and affordable prices.

Why Face Lift Surgery? Dealing with the Signs of Aging

As we age, collagen and elastin production in our skin decreases. Subcutaneous fat tissue is displaced or reduced. Continuous use of mimic muscles causes lines. When all these factors come together;

  • Sagging cheeks and uncertainty in the jaw line (jowls formation),
    Deep lines descending from the edges of the nose to the corners of the lips (nasolabial grooves),
  • Lines hanging down from the corners of the mouth (marionette lines),
  • Falling eyebrows and bagging on the eyelids (usually handled together or separately with a facelift),
  • Sagging, loose skin, and bands in the neck area, Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy)

    aims to create a younger and rested facial expression by addressing these signs of aging.

Turkey: A Popular Centre for Facelift Surgeries

In recent years, Turkey, especially cities such as Izmir and Istanbul, has become an important center for medical tourism. Facelift surgeries are also an important part of this popularity. So, why do so many people prefer Turkey for facelift surgery?

Quality and Experience

Many plastic surgeons in Turkey are professionals who have received training at international standards, are experts in their field, and have carried out thousands of successful operations. Hospitals and clinics with the latest technology offer a hygienic and comfortable environment. Patients feel safe with the use of quality materials and a multidisciplinary approach.

Reasonable Price Advantage

Facelift surgery prices in Turkey are generally more affordable compared to Western European and North American countries. This is due to the high exchange rate and lower overall operating costs. However, an affordable price does not mean that quality is compromised. On the contrary, the highly competitive environment has increased the quality of service.

Comprehensive Packages and Tourism Opportunities

Many clinics offer comprehensive packages that include services such as accommodation, transfer, and even city tours in addition to surgery. This makes the treatment process more comfortable and enjoyable for the patients. After facelift surgery, you are offered the opportunity to spend the recovery period resting in a beautiful city.

Facelift in Turkey: Say Hello to Your Youth Again!

What is Face Lift and Who is it Suitable for?

Facelift is a surgical procedure in which the tissues under the skin of the face and neck are reshaped and excess skin is removed. The aim is not only to tighten the skin but also to recover the muscle and connective tissue layer called SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) under the skin. In this way, more natural and long-lasting results are obtained.

Who is it a Suitable Option for?

Ideal candidates for facelift surgery are usually 40 years of age or older, but the signs of aging have begun to become apparent. The following features define a good candidate profile:

  • Those who experience significant sagging and laxity in the face and neck area.
  • Those who are in good general health and do not have chronic serious diseases.
  • Non-smokers or willing to quit smoking before surgery (smoking negatively affects the healing process).
  • Those with realistic expectations. Facelift will not return you to your 20s, but it will give you a more rested, vibrant, and youthful appearance.

What are the Different Face Lift Techniques?

Different facelift techniques can be applied depending on the degree of sagging on the face and the needs of the person:

Full Face Lift

It is the most comprehensive facelift method. Sagging and wrinkles on the entire face (except the forehead) and neck are removed with incisions starting from the temple area and continuing in front of and behind the ear. The SMAS layer is also repositioned.

Mini Face Lift

It is suitable for people with less pronounced sagging, usually in their 40s. The incisions are shorter and usually only the jawline and sagging in the lower part of the cheeks are targeted. The recovery time is shorter.

Middle Face Lift

It targets sagging and flattening under the eyes, cheeks and nose edges. It can be applied endoscopically or through small incisions made in the lower eyelid or through the mouth.

Neck Lift

It is usually performed together with a facelift, but it can also be applied alone. Loose skin on the neck, muscle bands, and fat in the jowl area are removed.

Note: Methods such as botox, fillers, laser, and focused ultrasound (HIFU) known as ‘non-surgical facelifts’ are not surgical procedures. These are mostly used to alleviate the signs of premature aging or to support the results after surgery. A surgical facelift is the most effective solution for severe sagging.

Face Lift Surgery Process

Facelift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and can take 3 to 6 hours, depending on the combined procedures (neck lift, eyelid aesthetics, etc.).

Consultation and Planning

The first step is to have a detailed consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. The surgeon will assess your facial structure, listen to your expectations, and recommend the most appropriate technique for you. You will be informed about the potential risks and benefits of the surgery and the recovery process.

Operation Day

Necessary examinations are performed before the operation. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes the planned incisions, repositions the subcutaneous tissues, removes excess skin, and closes the incisions carefully. Thin tubes, usually called drains, are inserted to drain the blood and fluid accumulation that may occur after surgery.

Recovery Process and Expected Results

Although the recovery process after facelift surgery varies from person to person, it usually requires careful care.

First Postoperative Days

Mild postoperative pain, swelling, and bruising are normal. This is controlled with painkillers prescribed by your surgeon. Bandages that support your face can be applied. Drains are usually removed within a few days. Resting with your head elevated helps reduce swelling.

When does full recovery occur?

In the first week, swelling and bruising may be evident. From the second week onwards, these begin to decrease rapidly. Most people can return to their social life within 2-3 weeks, but full recovery and final results may take several months. During this process, your face may feel numb or tense, these will pass over time.

Expected Results

Successful facelift surgery results in tighter, smoother skin on the face and neck, a defined jawline, and a rested, youthful appearance. Scars are usually placed in hidden areas such as the hairline and ear folds and fade over time, becoming almost invisible.

Persistence

The results of facelift surgery are permanent, but the aging process does not stop. The surgery ‘turns back the clock’ but does not ‘stop’ it. The permanence of the results can usually be 10-15 years or more. A healthy lifestyle and skincare help to prolong the life of the results.

Risks and Cautions

As with any surgical procedure, facelift surgery has potential risks:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding and hematoma (accumulation of blood)
  • Nerve damage (temporary or rarely permanent numbness or loss of movement)
  • Asymmetry
  • Inadequate healing (especially in smokers)
  • Anaesthesia-related risks
  • Unexpected or prominent scars

The most important step to minimize these risks is to choose an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon and to follow all instructions of your surgeon meticulously.

Face Lift Prices in Turkey

Facelift prices in Turkey vary depending on many factors. Among these factors;

  • Scope of the technique to be applied (mini, full, combined with neck lift, etc.)
  • Surgeon’s experience and reputation
  • The city where the hospital or clinic is located and the facilities it offers
  • Type and duration of anesthesia
  • Whether other aesthetic procedures are performed with the surgery (eyelid aesthetics, fat injection, etc.)

is included. To get a clear price, it is recommended that you contact several different clinics and make a personal assessment. However, in general, facelift surgery prices are more favorable in Turkey compared to Western countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Does facelift surgery hurt? Since you will be under anesthesia during the surgery, you will not feel pain. There may be mild pain afterward, which is controlled with painkillers. It is more common to feel tension and numbness.
  • Are there any scars after the facelift?  The cuts are usually hidden in natural lines such as the hairline and ear folds. Although they are obvious at first, they fade over time and become almost invisible.
  • At what age is facelift surgery performed?  It is usually performed in people aged 40 and over, but it may be appropriate at an earlier or later age depending on the skin elasticity and the degree of sagging. There is no specific age limit, the important thing is the general health status and expectations.
  • How long is the recovery period? The first significant swelling and bruises largely disappear in 2-3 weeks. Return to social life usually takes 2-3 weeks. Full recovery and final results may take several months.

Conclusion: Step into Your Rejuvenation Journey with Prof. Dr. Ufuk Bilkay and His Team

If you are uncomfortable with the obvious effects of aging on your face and wish to achieve a more rested, energetic, and self-confident appearance, facelift surgery may be the right solution for you. This important surgical procedure requires experience, precision, and aesthetic vision.

At this point, Prof. Dr. Ufuk Bilkay and his experienced team are here to meet your expectations by combining the most up-to-date techniques and personalized treatment approaches. We make a detailed evaluation to determine the most suitable facelift technique for you, preserving the natural contours of your face, and avoiding overstretched or artificial-looking results.

Your health and comfort are of utmost importance in our clinic. We guide you at every step from the preoperative preparation process to the surgery itself and the recovery period, answer all your questions, and ensure that you spend the process most comfortably. Our goal is not only a physical change but also to restore your self-confidence and improve your quality of life.

If you want to fight the signs of aging on your face with a professional and reliable hand, you are in the right place.

A one-on-one consultation with Prof. Dr. Ufuk Bilkay will allow you to understand whether facelift surgery is right for you, clarify your expectations, and create a tailor-made treatment plan.

Contact us to take the first step in your rejuvenation journey. Make an appointment at Prof. Dr. Ufuk Bilkay’s clinic and discover the potential of achieving the look you dream of together.

Do you have a question about aesthetics?

I and my team will be happy to answer all your questions.