Aesthetic surgery

FACELIFT – FACIAL REJUVENATION AND FIRM SKIN FOR A FRESHER LOOK

A facelift (lat. rhytidectomy), also known as a facelift, is used for facial rejuvenation and is an aesthetic surgical reconstructive operation. The aim of facelift surgery is to rejuvenate the face while preserving its character. Your basic appearance is not changed, but rather refreshed and rejuvenated. In principle, a facelift is always an option if you no longer feel comfortable with your appearance and no individual medical factors speak against the aesthetic surgical procedure.

Please note that a facelift has a temporary effect and the natural ageing process cannot be stopped by surgery.

Our aesthetic surgery specialists will provide you with comprehensive advice to ensure that the result of a facial rejuvenation is a good one in the truest sense of the word. This is because complementary procedures or other measures are often recommended that can also contribute to a younger appearance. As the options for facial rejuvenation are wide-ranging and should be individually tailored to the client’s wishes and needs, we recommend a no-obligation consultation. During this consultation, the specialist will be able to specifically address your needs and recommend the best method for you.

If you decide to have facelift surgery, you are in the best hands with the aesthetic surgery specialists at the ETHIANUM in Heidelberg. The experts operate using state-of-the-art procedures and methods. You will be in one of the most modern clinics in Europe and can enjoy excellent all-round service before, during and after your facial rejuvenation.

We have summarised in compact form how a facelift operation works. You will also find information on additional procedures and measures that can be used as well as alternatives to surgery for a younger appearance. You can also listen to a short interview with Prof. Dr. Günter Germann, Medical Director of the ETHIANUM, who talks about facelift surgery.

Aesthetic surgery

FACELIFT – WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY?

Depending on the effects you want to achieve, aesthetic medicine offers comprehensive concepts for facial rejuvenation without a scalpel. These include botulinum injections or fillers in particular. If you are interested in these methods of facial rejuvenation, you can find more information on our aesthetic medicine page.

Another alternative is minimally invasive thread lifting. Although this method is also a surgical procedure, it is recommended if the signs of ageing on your face are not yet clearly pronounced.

Aesthetic surgery

Facelift – complementary procedures and measures for a facelift

In order to achieve an optimal result, combinations are available as complementary procedures to the facelift. These are, for example

• Re-contouring of the facial structure using autologous fat or hyaluronic acid filler (soft tissue augmentation)
• Improving the tone and structure of the facial skin with microneedling and autologous blood plasma (resurfacing)
• Smoothing wrinkles with botulinum injections

Other surgical measures that can be combined with a facelift include

• Smoothing of a sagging or deeply furrowed forehead (forehead lift)
• Rejuvenation of the eye area through eyelid correction
• Lifting for the neck and any existing double chin

Let a specialist in aesthetic surgery advise you in detail about the measures and procedures that are suitable for you

Aesthetic surgery

FACELIFT SURGERY – EXPLAINED STEP BY STEP

The most important thing before any operation is a detailed discussion with your aesthetic surgeon. Depending on your expectations of facial rejuvenation, he or she will inform you about the different treatment methods and surgical procedures. The specialist will also inform you about possible combinations. During an anamnesis consultation, it is also important to find out, for example, what medication you are taking or what previous illnesses you have. Preliminary examinations can also be carried out. Of course, your surgeon will also draw your attention to possible risks. You can then make an appointment for an operation. At the ETHIANUM you have the option of rooming-in, so you are welcome to bring an accompanying person with you.

1. Anaesthesia
   A facelift is performed under general anaesthetic. You will receive detailed advice and information on how you should behave 24 hours before the procedure.
2. Incision
   How long the operation takes depends on various factors. The decisive factor is which procedure you have chosen for your facial rejuvenation and agreed with your doctor. On average, a facelift operation takes between two and a half and four hours.
3. Skin closure
   At the end of the operation, the incisions are sutured and closed with skin adhesive. After the healing process, the incision lines are usually well concealed by your hairline or hidden by the natural contours of your face and ear.
4. The result
   After the operation, you will need a little patience before you can enjoy your younger self in the mirror. This is because the swelling must first subside. You should also protect your face from sunlight in the immediate period after the operation. It is also not advisable to wear clothing that has to be pulled over your head at first.

Aesthetic surgery

FACELIFT – DIFFERENT SURGICAL PROCEDURES FOR VISIBLE RESULTS

Different surgical procedures are possible for facial rejuvenation. We will briefly introduce these to you. You decide which is the most suitable for your facial rejuvenation together with your aesthetic surgeon.

1. Conventional facelift
   In this procedure, the incision begins at the hairline of the temples and extends behind the ear into the hairy area of the head. Fatty tissue can be moulded and redistributed in the face, cheeks and neck. The underlying tissue is repositioned. Deeper layers of tissue are often also tightened. Excess skin is then removed.
2. Deep plane facelift with SMAS lift (Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System lift)
   In this procedure, the skin, superficial connective tissue layer and the underlying layer are separated from each other. The SMAS tissue is tightened and anchored again. Although this tightening of the deeper connective tissue is more complex, very natural, long-lasting results can be achieved. New instruments from the USA allow for more precise and safer procedures. Current, minimally invasive techniques and advances in anaesthesia have increased patient comfort, shortened recovery times and minimised the risk of complications. In addition to tissue tightening, the deep-plane facelift offers the option of using autologous fat for volume restoration and contouring. Fat is harvested from other areas of the body, processed and injected into specific areas of the face. Find out more about the possibilities of the deep-plane facelift from our specialists.
3. Mini-Lift, MACS-Lift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension Lift)
   If the changes due to age are not significant, this procedure is an option. Shorter incisions are made, as it is often not necessary to tighten deeper layers of tissue. In a mini-lift, additional stitches are inserted to tighten the face and skin. Your specialist will discuss with you whether this method is suitable for you.

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