Facelift and neck lift in Medellín

You'll see it called a facelift or by its medical name, rhytidectomy. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in a traditional facelift the incision usually starts in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp; sometimes a second incision under the chin is needed to treat the neck. A mini facelift uses shorter incisions and is usually reserved for people with less skin laxity. Your surgeon decides which one is right for you after examining you at your in-person consultation.

According to the ASPS, a facelift can be done together with a brow lift or eyelid surgery, and fat transfer or a filler, such as hyaluronic acid, is sometimes suggested to restore volume. Whether to combine them in the same surgery is your surgeon's call. In other cases, there's another route:

• For mild sagging, a thread lift or HIFU may be an option, although the ASPS points out that nonsurgical treatments don't achieve the same results as a facelift.
• If what shows most is fat under the chin and your skin is still elastic, chin liposuction is the option to evaluate.

At your consultation, we tell you what makes sense for you.

The ASPS describes good candidates as healthy people without medical conditions that impair healing, who don't smoke and who have realistic expectations. It also makes clear that a facelift is a restorative surgery. It may not be the right time if:

• You smoke and can't quit before surgery.
• You have a health condition that makes healing harder.
• You want to change your features: a facelift doesn't change your fundamental appearance.
• You're hoping to stop aging: a facelift doesn't halt it.

Your surgeon makes the final call at your consultation.

Every surgery carries risks, and a facelift is no exception. The ASPS describes them as infrequent and lists, among others:

• Anesthesia risks, bleeding and infection.
• Fluid buildup.
• Facial nerve injury, with weakness.
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation.
• Prolonged swelling and persistent pain.
• Poor wound healing and skin loss.
• Hair loss at the incision sites, temporary or permanent.
• Asymmetry or unfavorable scarring.
• Deep vein thrombosis and heart and lung complications.

Before you decide, we go over each one with you, and you sign an informed consent form.

According to the ASPS, you may be asked to get lab tests or a medical evaluation, adjust the medications you take, apply certain products to the skin of your face and stop smoking. Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can increase bleeding and bruising. Check with your specialist about what to stop and when. At noon, pre-op tests are mandatory, and surgery takes place in the licensed operating rooms at Q2. You need an adult to take you to surgery, pick you up and stay with you the first night. More in our guide for international patients.

The ASPS explains that a bandage may be placed around your face after surgery to reduce swelling and bruising, and that small drains may be left in place to remove excess blood or fluid. As a guideline, the first week means a bandage, swelling and rest with your head elevated; in the second week, the stitches come out and the swelling goes down. We give you clear instructions on wound care, medications and warning signs, and you have follow-up visits until you're discharged. Ask your surgeon when you can wash your face, wear makeup and color or cut your hair.