Face lift surgery / Rhytidectomy

• Solving the issue of sagging skin with face lift surgery is becoming more and more popular every day, especially in younger groups, because of the long-lasting benefits this type of surgery can provide. 
• There are currently a range of procedures associated with face lift surgery that can assist medical staff before, during, and following surgery, such as photo simulation and endoscopy, both of which offer significantly improved results when compared to historical techniques. 
• Experienced surgeons will be able to offer suitable advice and design a surgical procedure that ensures natural-looking, long-lasting results for their patient, while also reducing the likelihood of them experiencing complications.  

A younger-looking face is one of the most noticeable and desired aspects of a person’s appearance. It can leave a lasting first impression and improve a person’s self-esteem, enabling them to feel more comfortable in social situations. While it is impossible to completely halt the slow march of time, there are techniques which can make our face look younger than before. 

Wrinkles and sagging can be caused by numerous factors, including the aging process, gravity, the environment, exposure to sunlight, fat, and stress. 

Face lift surgery is a procedure used to tighten the muscles and fatty layers of skin found on the face to restore firmness, with any leftover skin removed to ensure a smooth texture is left behind. Face lift surgery leaves patients with a younger, yet natural, look due to the reduction in lines and wrinkles it achieves. Moreover, modern techniques mean that a longer-lasting, more natural look than ever before can be achieved alongside rapid recovery times. 

Face lift surgery can be used to treat specific areas of the face, such as: 

• Forehead 
• Eyebrows 
• Middle region of the face 
• Cheeks 
• Lower region of the face 
• Chin 
• Side and central areas of the neck 

Additionally, face lift surgery can be undertaken alongside other facial surgeries, including surgery to reduce sagging under the eyes, cheekbone augmentation, nose augmentation, chin augmentation, liposuction, and filler injections. 

1. Patients with issues affecting their facial structure or wishing to reduce wrinkles and sagging in order to appear younger. 
2. Patients of any age, depending on the state of their facial skin and prevalence of sagging 
3. Patients within normal weight ranges. Those looking to lose weight should do so before undergoing face lift surgery. 
4. Patients who do not have underlying health conditions such as hemophilia and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. 
5. Patients who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding. 
6. Patients looking for realistic results. 
7. Patients of sound mental health. 

All forms of surgery carry with them an inherent risk that can affect anyone. Nevertheless, medical staff will provide consultations, carry out a risk assessment, and answer any questions or concerns patients may have prior to deciding whether to undergo surgery. 

In general, patients may be anxious about potential scarring and results that do not match their expectations. 

1. Scarring: Patients with no history of keloid type scarring are usually able to achieve a smooth looking finish to the skin; incision scars are hidden in suitable places of the facial region. 
2. Results not matching expectations: Experienced surgeons are crucial. They provide the right advice and design surgery in a way that will offer the most natural-looking, long-lasting results for their patients, while also minimizing the risk of side effects. 
3. Other potential risks: Bleeding, hematoma, and skin necrosis are most common among smokers or patients with underlying health conditions associated with the vascular system, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia. However, if such conditions are managed effectively, they should not prohibit surgery from taking place. 
4. Facial nerve injuries (affecting only 1–3% of cases): While these injuries can incapacitate facial nerves, most cases (90–95%) are able to make a full recovery within 3–6 months. 

1. Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital uses the latest techniques that help surgeons before, during, and after surgery, such as photo simulation and endoscopy. 
2. Our face lift surgeons have more than 20 years combined experience in the field. 
3. Patients achieve their desired results owing to the modern techniques utilized by our expert medical team. 
4. Post-surgery monitoring for those recovering from surgery can be carried out via VDO call through Samitivej Virtual Hospital (in cases where traveling to hospital is inconvenient). 

6 months prior to face lift surgery 

• Stop taking all forms of acne medication containing vitamin A (Isotretinoin) because it can have a detrimental effect on the healing of scars. 
• Avoid getting any Botox or filler injections on the face. 

3 months prior to face lift surgery 

• Prepare the body for surgery with a light exercise regime and plenty of rest. 
• Undergo your annual health screening and, should you have any underlying health conditions, be sure to consult your doctor to ensure they are under control. 
• Avoid undergoing any facial laser therapy treatments. 

4 weeks prior to face lift surgery 

• Avoid smoking for at least 4 weeks preceding surgery, and then for at least 4 weeks following surgery. 
• Avoid getting any new piercings and tattoos, and do not sunbathe. 
• Avoid any other surgeries close to the time of your face lift surgery. Those who are expecting their period on the date of their surgery should consult the surgeon in charge regarding a plan to postpone the procedure. 

10 days prior to face lift surgery 

• Avoid taking drugs that affect blood clotting capabilities, such as: 
  • Anticoagulants, including aspirin, Coumadin, Ticlid, Plavix or Aggrenox (consult your regular physician regarding the safe halting of any medication). 
  • Nsaid drugs, including Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Aleve, Relafen, Naprosyn, Diclofenac, Naproxen, Voltaren, Daypro, Feldene, Clinoril, Lodine, Indocin, and Orudis. 
  • Sedatives, including Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, and Pristiq. 
  • All vitamin supplements that can affect blood clotting capabilities, such as fish oils, omega-3, co-enzyme Q10, evening primrose oil, glucosamine, arnica, ginseng, gingko, and herbs. 

In addition to following the aforementioned advice, patients should attend a medical consultation regarding face lift surgery to better understand its potential risks and benefits, as well as to address any misconceptions and to ensure all parties share an understanding about the desired results. 

For more information, please visit the following websites: 

• https://www.isaps.org/member-directory
• https://www.thprs.org/find-doctor 
• https://checkmd.tmc.or.th 

Steps involved with face lift surgery 

1. Medical staff will consult with the patient and provide time to ask any questions before surgery, which takes around 3–4 hours to complete. 
2. A trained anesthesiologist will administer a general anesthetic. 
3. The patient will stay in the hospital for 1–2 days following the surgery. 
4. Follow-up consultations to monitor the patient’s condition will be made on days 5, 7 and 9 following the procedure. 

Recovery times differ depending on a range of factors, such as the patient’s general health prior to surgery, the type of surgery performed, and the post-surgery care undertaken. 

• There may be some pain or aching at the incision site following surgery, but patients should be able to get up and walk around on the same day of their surgery, with the pain gradually improving over time. 
• Patients may wash their hair 2 days after surgery as long as they wear a facial band at all times (Note: facial bands should be removed while washing hair). 
• The head should remain raised for the first 7 days following surgery (patients should use 2-3 pillows while sleeping). 
• Patients should ask for at least 2 weeks off from their job, but they should be able to return to work after this time. 
• Patients should avoid all forms of exercise for the first 4 weeks after surgery. 
• Swelling and bruising may last 1-3 weeks following the procedure and the face will appear particularly swollen for the first 3-5 days. Although the swelling usually goes down within 2 weeks, it could take 1-2 months for the swelling to improve. 
• There may be a temporary lack of sensation in the face, but this should return completely within 3–6 months. 
• The incision site may appear swollen and red for the first 1–3 months and take 6-12 months to improve altogether. Sunbathing should be avoided entirely during this period. 

Age-related degeneration is an unavoidable fact of life for all of us, but there are certain adjustments we can make to improve our appearance, including correcting the sagging of facial skin. 

Face lift surgery is a popular choice for those looking to improve their appearance and it is especially popular among the younger generation as the effects of the surgery among this group can be obvious and long-lasting. This procedure is effective in reducing sagging skin and firming facial muscles to leave skin looking younger. Nevertheless, anyone considering this type of surgery should first consult an expert physician who will ensure the highest standards of care, and minimize any potential risks or side effects associated with surgery. 

Samitivej Plastic and Esthetic Surgery Institute is a full-service plastic surgery center in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. Our qualified specialists from Board Certificated Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons performs a large selection of operations to help your outside look the way you feel on the inside with an excellence care on all surgical procedures. We specialize in breast surgeries such as breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction. Our plastic surgeons are also experienced in Face lift, body contouring procedures; body lifts surgeries after significant weight loss. We also do combination surgeries of breast, tummy and many other areas. 

Besides Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons, our interdisciplinary team including nurses, anaesthesiologists, cardiologist, and other subspecialist will make sure of your safety. 

Samitivej has a team ready to help and provide services for:  

• Treatment Plan Consultation with a doctor via online video-call (second opinion) 
• Treatment Planning if you have medical records or a price estimate from another hospital 
• Cost Planning by our Appraisals Team with price guarantee (only for procedure packages without complications) 
• Check Initial Coverage Eligibility with Thai and international insurance companies (only for insurance companies in contract with the Hospital)