Poliklinika Sinteza

Loose skin and excess skin on the face are the result of the aging process of the tissues. Facelifting, or a face lift, turns back the biological clock by several years and helps people feel younger and better. Facelift is often combined with a neck lift; along with tightening the face, we also perform a neck lift to achieve uniform skin tightening of the face and neck, resulting in a harmonious new appearance.

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What is a facelift?

A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure used to tighten the skin of the face and neck to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin. This procedure helps create a more youthful appearance by adjusting the fatty tissue of the face, tightening muscles and skin, and removing excess skin. A facelift can be performed in various ways, including traditional facelift, minimally invasive facelift, or cervicoplasty (neck skin tightening). These procedures generally help reduce the visibility of wrinkles and give the skin a firmer and rejuvenated look.

MACS Facelift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension)

The MACS facelift is used for facial rejuvenation and follows the trend in modern aesthetic surgery towards less aggressive procedures that ensure long-lasting and predictable results.

Minilift – mini facelift

The minilift is a surgical method for rejuvenating the middle and lower thirds of the face, aimed at younger and middle-aged individuals who do not yet need a classic facelift. When facial muscle tone begins to decline, wrinkles in the skin and subcutaneous tissue along the jawline (marionette lines, jowls) appear, and nasolabial folds become more pronounced. All of this gives the face a tired, serious appearance.

Who is a candidate for a facelift?

Candidates for a facelift are typically individuals who have specific aesthetic issues related to aging, such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and other signs of aging. Generally, good candidates for a facelift are healthy individuals who are dissatisfied with their facial appearance and wish to achieve a rejuvenated look. However, it is important to have realistic expectations about the results of the facelift.

Candidates should also be generally healthy and free from serious health issues that could increase the risk of the surgical procedure. Individuals with good overall skin elasticity usually achieve better results from a facelift. The surgeon will conduct a thorough evaluation before recommending a facelift to ensure that expected results are realistic and that the patient meets the medical criteria for a safe procedure.

Preparation for a facelift

Preparation for a facelift is an important step to ensure the surgery goes smoothly and to reduce the risk of complications during the procedure. Here are some key steps in preparation:

Consultation with surgeon: Before the surgery, you will need to visit the surgeon to discuss expectations, potential risks and complications, and receive detailed instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

Medical evaluation: The doctor will perform a thorough assessment of your overall health to determine if it is safe for you to undergo surgery. This may include blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and other necessary examinations.

Discontinuation of certain medications: Before surgery, the surgeon may recommend stopping certain medications that could increase the risk of bleeding or complications during the operation.

Smoking cessation: Smoking can significantly affect the healing process. Therefore, if you smoke, the doctor will likely recommend quitting smoking at least a few weeks before the surgery.

Setting expectations: It is important to have realistic expectations about the surgery results. Discuss with the surgeon what you can expect after the procedure, including recovery time and possible side effects.

Home preparation: Prepare your home to ensure a comfortable recovery after the surgery. This may include setting up a comfortable resting area, stocking up on easy-to-prepare foods, and organizing support for care and assistance during the recovery period.

Procedure overview

The facelift procedure may vary depending on the specific technique used by the surgeon, but generally, it follows several basic steps:

Anesthesia: Before the surgery begins, anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient does not feel pain during the procedure. Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia may be used, depending on the agreement with the surgeon.

Incision: The surgeon will make precise incisions along the hairline and around the ears, often hiding the incisions within natural skin folds to minimize visibility after recovery.

Skin lifting: After the incisions, the surgeon will carefully separate the skin from the subcutaneous tissue and muscles to access deeper skin layers.

Tissue adjustment: At this stage, the surgeon may adjust the fatty tissue, muscles, and subcutaneous tissue to achieve the desired shape and tightening of the face. Depending on the patient’s needs, liposuction may also be performed for additional shaping.

Skin tightening: After tissue adjustment, the surgeon tightens the skin of the face and neck and removes excess skin to achieve a smoother and firmer appearance.

Closing incisions: After completing the adjustments, the surgeon carefully closes the incisions with stitches to ensure minimal visible scarring.

Bandaging: After the procedure, the face is usually covered with a light bandage or compression garment to reduce swelling and bruising and support the healing process.

The entire procedure may take several hours, depending on the extent of the surgery and the specific requirements of the patient. After the procedure, the patient is usually monitored in the outpatient clinic before being allowed to return home to recover.

Before/after results of Professor Mislav Gjurić:

Recovery after a facelift

Recovery after a facelift typically requires some time to ensure complete healing and optimal results. Here are some key steps and tips often recommended during the recovery period:

First few days: During the first few days after surgery, the patient typically wears a special bandage around the face to reduce swelling and bruising and support the healing process. It is important to avoid bending forward and keep the head elevated to reduce pressure on the facial area.

Reducing swelling and bruising: During the first week, swelling and bruising can be expected. To reduce these side effects, applying cold compresses to the face and taking prescribed pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications is recommended.

Activity restrictions: During the first few weeks, the patient should avoid physical exertion and activities that could increase the risk of complications or unnecessary strain on the face. Light walking is usually recommended to promote circulation, but any efforts that could cause jerks or pressure on the face should be avoided.

Avoiding sunlight: It is important to protect the face from direct sunlight during the recovery period to reduce the risk of skin damage. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high sun protection factor is recommended.

Following surgeon’s instructions: It is important to follow all the surgeon’s instructions regarding wound care, medication, and follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and minimize risks of complications.

Expected results: The full results of a facelift usually become visible after several months, when swelling and bruising have completely subsided and the skin has fully healed. It is important to be patient and have realistic expectations regarding the final results of the procedure.

 

Price of a facelift

You can check the current price list of the Poliklinika Sinteza for more information on the cost of the procedure, contact us by phone at +385 1 5005 970 or via email at info@sinteza.hr for more information. For direct appointment reservations, click on the link.

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Our Team

Prof. dr. sc. Mislav Gjurić, dr. med.

Specijalist otorinolaringologije, subspec. plastične kirurgije glave i vrata

Saznaj više o mislav-gjuric

Dr. sc. Bruno Cvjetičanin, dr. med.

Specijalist opće kirurgije, subspec. plastične kirurgije

Saznaj više o bruno-cvjeticanin

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