FaceLift Surgery

Facelift surgery is suitable for individuals experiencing signs of aging such as sagging in the midface, lower face, jawline, and neck. It can also address concerns around the eyes and brows, including drooping or heaviness. Additionally, some patients may have genetically low-set cheeks or brows, even at a younger age. In such cases, selected facelift techniques can help restore balance and achieve a more refreshed appearance.

Pain is not the most prominent symptom after facelift surgery—swelling is more noticeable. Most patients may experience mild discomfort during the first night following the procedure. However, this is typically well-controlled with standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. By the second and third days, discomfort significantly decreases and usually resolves completely shortly thereafter. With tissue-respecting surgical techniques, pain is generally minimal.

Yes, swelling is a normal and expected part of the healing process after a facelift. Swelling is most noticeable during the first 2–3 days. During this period, the eye area may appear puffy, the eyelids can look more swollen, the outer corners of the eyes may appear slightly elevated, the face may appear wider than usual, and if the forehead is treated, it may look slightly fuller. Mild swelling can also occur in the neck. These changes are temporary and part of normal recovery.

Swelling is most prominent during the first two weeks after surgery. At 2 weeks, swelling is still visible but significantly reduced, and feelings of tightness and heaviness are much improved. By 4–6 weeks, most visible swelling subsides and becomes barely noticeable to others. Between 3–6 months, residual swelling continues to resolve gradually, although patients may still feel subtle firmness. Final results are fully settled at around 1 year.

Whether performed using endoscopic or traditional techniques, a facelift is a structural procedure that repositions deeper tissues. Therefore, early relapse or sagging is not expected. Once healing is complete at around one year, the natural aging process continues. Some patients may consider a touch-up or minor lifting procedure within 3–5 years. Others, particularly those with favorable genetics and healthy lifestyles, may not require another facelift for up to 10 years.

Facelift surgery is often combined with complementary procedures such as upper or lower eyelid surgery, fat grafting, neck lift, lip lift, and brow lift to achieve optimal results. After full healing, usually around one year, minor touch-up procedures may be performed under local anesthesia to refine the final result.

Minimizing visible scarring is a key priority in modern facelift techniques. Endoscopic techniques use hidden incisions in the scalp or behind the ear. In more advanced cases where skin removal is required, incisions around the ear are used but typically heal very well when performed with a deep-plane approach and tension-free closure.

Scar quality depends on multiple factors including smoking, underlying health conditions such as diabetes, and surgical technique. Skin-only facelifts can leave tension on the incision line, which may result in wider scars. Deep-plane techniques reduce tension and allow for better healing and more discreet scars.

The duration of facelift surgery varies depending on the technique used. FiratLift Type 1 takes approximately 3 hours, FiratLift Type V takes around 5 hours, FiratLift Type 2 or endoscopic hybrid facelift takes approximately 6–7 hours, and deep plane facelift procedures also take about 6–7 hours.

Yes, all facelift procedures are performed under general anesthesia in a fully equipped hospital setting. Patients typically stay in the hospital for at least one night, and sometimes two nights depending on the procedure.

The most accurate way to determine the appropriate facelift technique is through a consultation with Dr. Mirza Fırat. Consultations are available both in person and online. During a detailed 30-minute evaluation, a personalized treatment plan is created.

No. In the early postoperative period, temporary swelling may create a lifted appearance around the eyes. However, this is not the final result. As swelling subsides, the eyes return to a natural and balanced appearance. Additional procedures such as canthoplasty or brow lift are only performed when necessary.

A hemostatic net is used after surgery to secure the skin evenly to the underlying tissues. It helps reduce swelling, prevent fluid accumulation, and improve skin adaptation. The net is removed within 2–3 days. Small marks may be visible initially but fade within 7–10 days and do not leave permanent scars.

In endoscopic techniques, the effect is achieved through deep tissue manipulation rather than skin removal. The SMAS layer, which is primarily responsible for facial sagging, is released from the retaining ligaments and lifted vertically. After repositioning, it is fixated in its new position. In patients without significant skin excess, this repositioning is sufficient to also adapt the skin naturally. Since aging occurs in a downward vertical direction, lifting the tissues vertically upward restores a natural and youthful appearance. In more advanced age groups, where excess skin is more pronounced, skin removal may be added to this vertical lifting. The key difference from traditional techniques is that all deep-plane work is performed through small, hidden incisions first, and only if necessary, the incision is extended based on the amount of excess skin. This allows achieving the same effectiveness while keeping incisions minimal.

The endoscopic hybrid facelift is a newer technique developed by Dr. Mirza Fırat. While traditional endoscopic techniques rely on vertical lifting for natural results, some patients—especially those with naturally higher brows—do not require lifting in the brow or temple area. In such cases, a hybrid approach is used. Deep tissue vertical lifting is still performed to achieve strong rejuvenation, but in the temple and periorbital region, both deep and superficial plane techniques are used without lifting the brow. Instead, excess skin is redistributed into the temple area. This prevents an overly lifted or unnatural appearance of the brows while still maintaining hidden incisions and effective results. The most appropriate technique is determined during consultation.

No. Both endoscopic and traditional facelift techniques involve similar deep tissue dissection, release, lifting, and fixation. Therefore, recovery time and swelling duration are generally the same. The main advantage of endoscopic techniques is that the same procedures are performed through smaller and more hidden incisions, reducing visible scarring rather than changing recovery dynamics.

In younger patients with minimal skin laxity, a neck lift performed through a submental incision and, if needed, a postauricular incision can provide effective results. However, in patients over their 40s or in those with significant skin laxity in the lower face and neck, performing a neck lift alone without a facelift may lead to suboptimal results. While deep tissues and platysma can be tightened through limited incisions, the ability to remove and reposition excess skin is restricted. For optimal results, combining a facelift with a neck lift allows proper vertical skin redraping and leads to more successful and long-lasting outcomes.