Facelift

Face Lifting, more precisely, cosmetic face lifting surgery, is, without a doubt, the central procedure in cosmetic surgery.

It is the most common and most important aesthetic surgery from the group of rejuvenation surgeries in terms of returning the facial contours to the position in which the face was at a younger age.

Face Lifting is also the basis of all other aesthetic operations on the face and can be combined with other surgical procedures in that region.

Since these are changes that are, on the one hand, objective, and on the other, subjective, because each person experiences the phenomenon of aging in a different way, it is very difficult to determine exactly who and when the operation should be performed.

You will receive an objective opinion and a realistic assessment during a consultation at the Bagatin Polyclinic.

Based on your wishes, and depending on the possibilities for achieving results, the doctor will give you an opinion on whether a better effect will be achieved with surgical correction or non-invasive treatments.

Also, a combination of both is possible, if we think that joint action will provide a better solution.

With Face Lifting at the Bagatin Polyclinic, we not only tighten the skin of the face, but also the skin of the neck and part of the soft tissue segment.

After such a surgical procedure, the entire appearance of the face and neck changes.

The best results were observed in the middle and lower third of the face and around the edge of the jaw.

The lost chin line was re-emphasized and a more beautiful transition from the face to the neck was achieved.

The surgical procedure is performed when signs of aging are present, such as more pronounced wrinkles, sagging skin, loss of tone and previous facial contours.

Namely, the face “falls” and takes on a sad appearance.

Candidates for surgery are most often people between the ages of 40 and 60.

For aesthetic facial rejuvenation surgery, standard blood and urine tests are required, specifically: CBC, SE, coagulogram (PV, APTV and fibrinogen), GUK, urea, creatinine, KG and Rh factor, complete urine, ECG and examination by an internist.

You will receive a list of necessary tests during your consultation at the Bagatin Polyclinic.

Once the results are ready, you will need to see an anesthesiologist at our Polyclinic, where you will receive detailed information about the general anesthesia used to perform the procedure.

General anesthesia is a ‘deeper’ form of anesthesia (than local anesthesia), which means that you are asleep during the surgery and do not feel anything.

You can find out more about the anesthesiology examination at our Polyclinic and the differences between general and local anesthesia here.

Depending on the surgical technique, cosmetic facial rejuvenation surgery lasts 3-4 hours.

Face and neck rejuvenation is most often performed together.

The location and length of the surgical incision depend on what is desired to be achieved with the procedure and is individually adapted to the needs and condition of the patient (depending on the laxity and quality of the skin).

The incision is most often placed in the scalp a few millimeters above the eyebrow, in front of the ear and, if more extensive neck tightening is needed, behind the ear.

Smaller incisions are made under the chin and under the angle of the lower jaw for the purpose of neck liposuction.

This is followed by lifting the skin from the subcutaneous tissue to tighten the inner layer and secure the soft tissue segment with sutures.

After tightening the inner layer, the excess skin is removed vertically and the surgical incision is sutured.

If necessary, an incision of several centimeters is made under the chin with the aim of surgically removing fat from the central part of the neck and additional tightening of the neck muscles (platysma) in the medial line.

These procedures can be combined with other facial procedures, such as eyelid correction , chin implant placement, perioral dermabrasion, etc.

To reduce swelling and bruising, which are expected to some extent after surgery, it is important to use cold compresses within 24-48 hours. It is recommended to sleep with the head of the bed elevated (additional pillow) for at least 2 weeks after surgery.

Painkillers help in the early postoperative period and facilitate initial recovery, although most patients do not experience pain. If necessary, antibiotics are also recommended during the first week after surgery.

Regarding diet, it is necessary to eat lighter foods that do not require prolonged chewing.

You should avoid taking acetylsalicylic acid-based preparations (andol, aspirin) as well as vitamin C-based preparations.

If you are not from Zagreb, it is recommended that you secure accommodation so that you can come for dressings and be under medical supervision for the first 7 days. It is certainly good to have someone to help you in the first days of recovery.

You will wear a compression bandage around your head for 7 days, 24 hours a day.

The bandage is replaced with a corset 7 days after the procedure, which must be worn day and night for the first postoperative month, and 14 days after the surgery, the remaining stitches are removed.

Return to normal daily activities is individual and is possible 7-14 days after surgery, while heavier physical activities should be avoided for 6-8 weeks after surgery.

The sensation of the skin of the face and ears gradually returns within the first month (exceptionally, a little longer).

The scars are usually unnoticeable, hidden in the scalp, in the natural crease in front of and behind the ear. The first results are visible after 14 days, and the final results after 6-12 months.

The side effects of this procedure are most often temporary.

In the first days after surgery, facial swelling and bruising are to be expected.

It is recommended to apply cold compresses to the face within the first 24-48 hours.

The face will be sore and tight for a few days, which can be alleviated and eliminated with analgesics.

Early complications can be: bleeding, infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and, in very rare cases, paresis of the facial nerve (nervus facialis).

Among the subsequent complications, we can mention milder asymmetry of the left and right sides, which is most often in accordance with the natural asymmetry of the face.

Keep in mind that the left and right sides are never the same and that slight asymmetry of the face and neck is completely natural.

If a patient notices any of the above-mentioned, worrisome symptoms, they should contact a cosmetic surgeon as soon as possible so that timely intervention can be performed.

It is important to follow all the instructions in order to minimize the possibility of complications and speed up the postoperative recovery.

The package includes: preoperative examination by an anesthesiologist, surgery under general anesthesia, a short stay at the Bagatin Polyclinic, necessary medications (antibiotics, analgesics), check-ups and dressings in the first postoperative days, removal of stitches, and necessary check-ups up to 3 months after the procedure.

The package does not include: the first consultation with a doctor, costs before admission to the Bagatin Polyclinic, consultations with other specialists such as a specialist for diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, thyroid, allergy medicine, heart medicine, etc.

In cooperation with banks, Bagatin Polyclinic provides the option of paying in installments, as well as interest-free payments up to a certain number of installments.

You can find more information about payment methods and the cost of the procedure in the current price list of the Bagatin Polyclinic .