Bangpakok Hospital

Face Lift Surgery

What Is Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery is a procedure designed to lift and reposition the muscles and fat beneath the skin while removing excess skin to create a firmer and smoother facial appearance. The procedure may help reduce facial wrinkles and sagging, giving the face a more refreshed and youthful-looking appearance.

Modern surgical techniques aim to achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results while supporting a smoother recovery. Recovery time and outcomes vary between individuals.

Areas That May Be Treated

Facelift surgery may be performed on selected areas, including:

  • Brow lift
  • Forehead lift
  • Temporal lift
  • Midface lift and cheek lift
  • Lower facelift
  • Full facelift
  • Face and neck lift

Who May Be Suitable for Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery may be considered for:

  • Individuals who wish to improve facial sagging and achieve a more youthful-looking facial contour
  • Individuals of different ages, depending on their skin condition, degree of facial laxity, and personal concerns
  • Individuals whose body weight is within a stable and appropriate range; those planning to lose weight should ideally reach their desired weight before surgery
  • Individuals who are not pregnant or breastfeeding

Suitability should be determined through an individual consultation and medical assessment.

How Is Facelift Surgery Performed?

During surgery, the surgeon creates incisions in carefully selected areas, often along or within the hairline. The facial skin is then carefully lifted.

The SMAS layer, a firm layer of connective tissue beneath the skin, is repositioned and secured to stronger supporting structures. Once the SMAS layer has been adjusted, excess skin is removed and the incisions are closed using fine sutures.

Common Concerns and Possible Risks

Scarring

For individuals without a history of keloid scarring, the incisions may heal into smoother scars that are positioned in less visible areas. Scar appearance varies between individuals.

Results That Differ From Expectations

An experienced surgeon can assess the facial structure, explain realistic outcomes, and design the procedure to create balanced and natural-looking results while reducing the likelihood of complications.

Bleeding and Wound-Healing Complications

Possible risks include bleeding, haematoma, delayed wound healing, and reduced blood supply to the skin. These complications may occur more frequently in heavy smokers and individuals with vascular-related medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

Well-controlled medical conditions may not necessarily prevent surgery, but an individual medical assessment is required.

Facial Nerve Injury

Stretching, traction, or injury to the facial nerves may occur and can temporarily affect the movement of certain facial muscles. The original information states that this complication occurs in approximately 1–3% of cases and that 90–95% of affected patients may recover normal movement within approximately three to six months.

Preparation Before Surgery

  1. Prepare your body by exercising regularly, getting sufficient rest, and maintaining good general health.
  2. Avoid anticoagulants, steroids, pain-relieving medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements for at least two weeks before surgery. Regular prescribed medicines should be managed according to the advice of the treating doctor.
  3. Inform the surgeon of all underlying medical conditions, regularly used medicines, previous operations, medication allergies, and dietary supplements.
  4. Stop smoking and avoid alcoholic beverages for at least two weeks before surgery.
  5. Do not eat or drink for at least eight hours before surgery, or follow the fasting instructions provided by the anaesthetic team.
  6. Remove nail polish and artificial nails before surgery, as the anaesthesiologist may need to measure blood oxygen levels through the fingertip.
  7. Should you develop an illness, such as fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhoea, an infected wound, red eyes, or eye pain, inform the nursing team at least two days before surgery.
  8. Avoid scheduling surgery close to or during menstruation when possible. Consult the doctor should menstrual-cycle planning be required.
  9. On the day of surgery, do not wear contact lenses, dental retainers, dentures, jewellery, or bring valuable belongings.

Care After Returning Home

  1. During the first 48 hours, apply a cold pack around the surgical areas to help reduce swelling. Do not place ice directly on the skin or surgical wounds.
  2. After the first 48 hours, alternate warm and cold compresses for approximately two weeks, according to the surgeon’s instructions. Swelling and bruising may gradually improve over approximately one to two months.
  3. Wear the facial compression garment continuously for 24 hours a day during the first seven days.
  4. After the first seven days, wear the compression garment for approximately 10–12 hours daily. The original instructions recommend continued use for up to six months; the appropriate duration should follow the surgeon’s individual protocol.
  5. Avoid lying completely flat or sleeping face-down for approximately one week. Sleep with the head elevated to help reduce swelling and protect the surgical wounds.
  6. Rest for at least two to three days and avoid activities that may place pressure or impact on the face.
  7. Avoid exercise and strenuous activities for approximately two weeks.
  8. Hair washing may begin once the surgical wounds are dry, usually around the fourth or fifth day, according to the surgeon’s advice. Avoid hair colouring and hot-air hair dryers during the first six weeks, as heat and chemicals may affect the surgical wounds.
  9. Avoid exaggerated smiling or facial expressions that create excessive tension during the early recovery period.
  10. Contact the doctor immediately should unusual bleeding, marked swelling, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms occur.

Surgical Wound Care

  1. Soak a cotton bud in saline solution and gently clean around the surgical wounds. Do not rub or scrub the area. Should bleeding occur, gently press the wound with a cotton bud for a short period until it stops.

    Clean the wounds twice daily, in the morning and evening. Gently pat them dry and apply Terramycin ointment or cream, when prescribed, after each cleaning.

  2. Take the prescribed anti-inflammatory medicine, antibiotics, and medication for swelling as directed by the doctor. Pain medication may be taken every four to six hours when required. Follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.
  3. Approximately seven days after surgery, the doctor will arrange a follow-up appointment to examine the wounds and remove the stitches when appropriate.
  4. Avoid exposing the wounds directly to water during approximately the first seven days. The original instructions also recommend avoiding hair washing or direct water exposure to the surgical areas for 10–14 days. Follow the surgeon’s specific wound-care instructions.
  5. Clean the face gently using a damp cloth during the early recovery period.
  6. Do not press, pick, scratch, or rub the surgical wounds, as this may injure the tissue and increase the risk of infection.

Food and Beverage Recommendations

  1. Avoid dietary supplements and vitamins for approximately two weeks.
  2. During the first one to two weeks, avoid foods that are difficult to chew or digest, including very spicy foods and high-fibre foods. Excessive chewing may place tension on the healing tissues. Choose soft, easily digested foods such as soup, rice porridge, or puréed fruit.
  3. Avoid fermented or pickled foods for approximately one month, according to the medical team’s instructions.
  4. Avoid alcoholic beverages for approximately two weeks and smoking for approximately two months. Smoking and alcohol may contribute to swelling, delayed wound healing, inflammation, or infection.
  5. Choose foods rich in protein and vitamin C, such as eggs, milk, meat, oranges, and lemon juice, to support the healing process.

Expected Recovery and Results

  • Bruising may occur around the face and neck. The severity varies depending on the individual’s skin and healing response. Bruising may gradually fade within approximately two to four weeks. A warm compress may help it subside after the initial recovery period, according to the surgeon’s instructions.
  • The final results may continue to develop for up to approximately one year.
  • The original information states that the results may last approximately five to ten years. However, longevity varies depending on age, skin quality, lifestyle, surgical technique, and the natural ageing process.

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Please contact our staff to make an appointment before receiving the service.Tel. 02-129-5500

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