Facelift

Like no other body part, our face reflects us as individuals and humans. It is our most important communication organ and usually determines the first impression others have of us. Since it is also permanently exposed to the outside world, the first signs of skin aging become noticeable from the age of 30: the first small wrinkles appear and the skin starts losing its elasticity. In the course of time, these wrinkles become deeper and the shape of the face also loses its contour.

The aging of the face is a complex process in which many factors are involved: the connective tissue breaks down and fragmentizes, the volume of fatty tissue decreases and shifts and the face loses its youthful fullness due to the reduced elasticity. Minimally invasive surgery can improve many of these changes. However, as the aging process progresses, surgical interventions are usually required to achieve a satisfactory, natural and long-term result.

Thanks to our improved understanding of this complex aging process, facelifts as stand-alone procedures are rare today. Rather, their effect can be seen in combination with various modern techniques that are individually tailored to your needs. This allows us to restore your natural youthful appearance, and not end up with a standard “operated-looking” appearance. We want to underline your identity and personality.

A facelift is a surgical procedure to achieve a more youthful appearance of the face as the aging process progresses. The skin and the underlying SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system; a organized fibrous network that connects the facial muscles with the skin) are gently tightened in different directions by means of a hidden incision in the area of the hairline and in front of and around the ears. Using this technique, the scars usually remain invisible and the skin can be detached from the SMAS and both structures can be individually lifted, repositioned and tightened. We often combine a facelift with an autologous fat injection to restore the youthful fullness of the face. Depending on the individual characteristics, a facelift can be combined with a forehead lift, an eyelid correction and / or a neck lift.

There is a great variety of facelift techniques. In a personal conversation and after a detailed examination we will find out together which type and technique is the right one for you. The detailed procedure always depends on your individual anatomical conditions and needs.

A facelift is a surgical procedure to achieve a more youthful appearance as the aging process progresses. Facelifts are most commonly performed in the 50 and 60 age group. However, many patients are already thinking about the procedure in their late forties. If you are bothered by the classic changes of aging such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles and folds around the nose and the mouth, lack of volume in the midface and missing contours of your jaw and chin, a facelift can significantly reverse the wheel of time.

With a facelift the skin can be tightened in the long term, which leads to a much younger appearance. By lifting the soft tissues, the face regains its youthful fullness and thanks to the lasting tightening of the skin, the contours can be redefined.

In a detailed consultation we will decide together whether a facelift is the right procedure for you. In order to find the ideal technique for you, we will carefully study and examine the various aesthetic units of your face and assess the quality of your skin and the level of aging. We will also draw up the treatment plan together with you. In addition, we will explain all aspects and consequences of the procedure in detail. Our many years of experience will help us to understand your needs and put them in relation to the possibilities that will lead to your best individual result. Our goal is to achieve the most natural result possible that underlines and reflects you and your personality.

In order to document the preoperative findings, we will take standardized digital photographs. In addition, we will get a thorough picture of your medical history in order to identify possible contraindications for the operation at an early stage. It is our deep concern to support you in all your questions, concerns and wishes. We take our time to do this, but we also give it to you. We always recommend to sleep at least one night over the decision. Therefore, we will see you a second time for a consult before we determine a final surgery date.

Depending on the technique performed, the procedure takes 4-6 hours and is performed under general anaesthesia and inpatient conditions. As a rule, 1-2 overnight stays in a clinic can be expected. After the operation a padded head bandage is applied, which we remove on the first postoperative day and replace with a thinner one. Drains are placed in order for blood and wound secretion to drain off well. These can be removed in the following days.

As with any surgical procedure, you will feel slight pain in the first few days. For this you will receive adequate painkillers from us and we are here for you in case of any questions. In the first 2-3 weeks you can expect more or less pronounced swelling and bruising. Here, too, we will assist you with decongestant measures and recommend a slightly elevated position of the head when you sleep. The stitches are usually removed after 5-7 days during our consultation.

After 3-4 weeks the swelling is clearly reduced and you can continue your professional activities as usual. The final result is visible after about 3-6 months, when the swelling fully subsides.

Every operation involves surgical and anaesthesia-related risks. There is an increased risk of surgical complications, especially for patients who smoke or suffer from obesity or diabetes.

Especially during this operation, smokers have an increased risk of wound healing disorders.

Risks associated with any surgical intervention

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Unpleasant or excessive scarring
• Wound healing disorders
• Thrombosis

Risks of facelifts

• (Temporary) sensory disturbance in the facial skin and earlobe area
• Wound healing disorders
• Asymmetry
• Partial skin necrosis
• Facial nerve damage

If you are interested in a facelift, we will be happy to assist you as objective consultants. It is important for us to give you a comprehensive picture of the procedure. In a non-committing consultation, we discuss the possibilities and risks with you and respond to your individual needs. This conversation provides you with a serious basis on which to make a fundamental decision for or against an intervention.

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