Classic Facelift & Neck Lift

The most prominent signs of aging appear in the lower third of the face and the neck area. The sagging of the cheeks creating a “Bulldog” look (Jowl deformity), the loss of the jawline definition, the “turkey neck” appearance, and deepening marionette lines make a person look much older and more tired than they are.

At this advanced stage, where the skin has completely lost its elasticity and excess skin has formed, non-surgical methods remain insufficient. This is where the most powerful tools of aesthetic surgery, Classic Facelift (Rhytidectomy) and Neck Lift surgeries, come into play.

Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü achieves long-lasting and natural results in these operations by repairing not only the skin but also the supporting tissues beneath it. Contrary to popular belief, a classic facelift is not just “pulling the skin back and suturing it.” That is an outdated and unsuccessful technique. In modern surgery, the actual procedure is performed on the layer of muscle and membrane called the SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System). When this fundamental structure that supports the face is suspended back to its original position, the overlying skin smooths out naturally without creating a sensation of tension.

Deep Plane Facelift and SMAS Technique

The artificial tension often described as “being in a wind tunnel,” which is our patients’ greatest fear, was seen only in old methods where just the skin was pulled. Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü utilizes Deep Plane or High SMAS techniques to:

• Anatomically relocate the sagging muscle and connective tissue (SMAS) to where it belongs.

• Repair volume losses in the face.

• Gently remove the excess skin in the final stage without creating tension.

Thanks to this method, there is no elongation of the earlobe (Pixie Ear), facial expressions are preserved, and wound healing is of much higher quality.

Neck Lift: The Complement to Youth

A patient with a tightened face but a wrinkled and sagging neck will appear aesthetically inconsistent. For this reason, classic facelift surgeries are almost always combined with a Neck Lift. Signs of aging in the neck area include:

• Platysma Bands: Vertical, rope-like muscle protrusions in the neck.

• Submental Fat: Fat accumulation under the chin (double chin).

• Skin Sagging: The “turkey neck” deformity.

During the surgery, a procedure called “Platysmaplasty” is performed through a tiny incision under the chin; loosened neck muscles are tightened like a corset, excess fat is removed, and the neck skin is stretched to achieve a “Swan Neck” form.

Recovery Process and Hiding the Scars

Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes an average of 4-6 hours. Our patients are usually hosted in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights.

• Scars: Incisions begin in the scalp at the temple area, pass through the natural crease in front of the ear (tragus), wrap around the back of the earlobe, and end within the scalp. Once healing is complete, these scars take on skin color and become completely invisible among the hair.

• Return to Social Life: The first 3 days are the period when edema and bruising are most intense. Sutures are removed after one week. Generally, at the end of the 2nd week, our patients can return to their social lives using makeup.

When researching facelift prices in Istanbul, it should be remembered that the technique used by the surgeon (SMAS, Deep Plane, etc.) and the quality of the hospital are the main factors determining the cost. Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü utilizes the most advanced surgical techniques for permanent and natural results.