Facelift Complications and Causes

Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy) is a popular aesthetic surgery method that gives a younger and fresher appearance by removing sagging in the face and neck area. However, as with any surgical intervention, facelift surgeries have some risks and complications. These complications may vary depending on the extent of the surgery, the experience of the surgeon, the general health status of the patient and the postoperative care process. We have created the “Facelift Complications and Causes” content for you to have detailed information about these complications. By reviewing the content, you can learn about the possible complications after facelift and how to prevent them. We wish you all healthy days and good reading.

Why Do Face Lift Complications Occur?

Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure to correct sagging in the face and neck area and to achieve a youthful appearance. However, complications can sometimes occur in this type of surgery. We can say that these complications are generally the general health status of the individual, the skin structure or the doctor who performs the facelift procedure. In this context, conditions such as diabetes, smoking or immune system problems can make the healing process difficult and increase the risks of infection, delayed wound healing or bleeding. At the same time, since the surgeon’s experience and surgical techniques are another factor affecting complications, incorrect tissue removal or damage to nerves can negatively affect the results. Therefore, the choice of an experienced surgeon and a careful preoperative evaluation are very important for a successful outcome.

What are the Complications of Face Lift?

Certain complications occur within the scope of the facelift procedure. These complications generally affect the person mentally and physically. In this context, possible complications that occur after facelift procedure are as follows;

Fluid Accumulation After Face lift Surgery

Fluid Accumulation complications, also known as seroma, is a condition that occurs after a facelift procedure and is caused by fluid accumulation between the skin and the underlying tissues. This condition can cause swelling, tension, pain and discomfort in the surgical area and if left untreated, the risk of infection may increase and the healing process may be negatively affected.Thanks to deepl plane technique , currently this complication is rare because of very limited skin undermining. Daily aspirations with dressing or replacing drain or hemostatic net sutures can solve this problem.

Hematoma After Facelift Surgery

Hematoma after facelift surgery is a condition caused by the accumulation of blood under the skin and is one of the most common complications of the surgical procedure. This condition usually occurs within the first 24-48 hours after surgery and is characterized by sudden swelling, bruising, tenderness or pain. This condition occurs due to factors such as hypertension after surgery, blood clotting problems, Use of alcohol, blood thinners, anti inflammatory medication 1 week prior to surgery ,caffeine ,herbs . For this reason, it may cause minimal problems in the form of a small hematoma, or in larger and more serious cases, if it is not diagnosed and intervened in time and intervened, it may delay healing by pressing on the tissue and lead to skin necrosis or infections. İntervention is mostly simple removal of hematoma and dressing or application of hemostatic net sutures will be enough. 

Facial Nerve Injury After Facelift Surgery

 Visible Incision Scars

This is one of the issues most being concerned about. Scar generally occurs when there is tension on incision and also circulation of skin flap. Also darker skin types may heal with hypopigmetation leads to visible scar. May recently you started to see many of perfectly healed facelift incisions and also less see visible scars anymore . When deep plane techniques grow up and spreads through surgeons , visibles scar complications decreased. Explanation is in a truly performed deep plane technique ,tension is on muscle fascia and bones instead of incision . İncision heals with zero tension so healing will be excellent . Other issue about circulation , in deep plane technique skin undermining is very less but smass undermining is wide . So you have a composite flap with well circulation and very less just skin flap with less circulated. So less skin undermining provides a less complication risk of circulation problems and necrosis. Patients have dark skin may have hypopigmented healing scars so care should be taken postoperatively on incision such as preserving skin from sun exposure , protective sun creams ,use of anti scar gels , removing sutures earlier , type of sutures . All these factors may affect healing process. 

Contour Deformities 

Skin dimplinks , ridging ,”cobra neck “ deformities are common when aggressive liposuction or fat overresection from pre- and subplatismal area. Preserving some fatty layer under skin while dissection will mostly save patients from contour deformities. Also care should be taken while removing fat from interdigastic area in anterior deep neck 

Skin/Flap Necrosis 

The incidence of skin slough and/or skin necrosis following facelift syrgery has been reported to be between 1.1% and 3.0% . Diabetus with out of control of glucos levels , use of nicotine , alcohol , hematoma or seroma, Thiny skin undermining are main risks of skin flap necrosis. Pre and post auricular area are most common locations .Necrosis is recognised as purple or bluish tinge to the skin flap when removing dressing after 24-48 hours . İn deep plane facelift technique generally there is very less skin area undermined so necrosis risk in deep plane technique is less then other techniques which requires wide undermining . 

İnfection

İnfection is a rare complication because of the rich vascular supply of face and neck anatomy İncidence of infection after facelift surgery has been reported less than %1. Most of İnfections are in the first week of surgery . Erythema and following tenderness are beggining symptoms of infection and great care should be taken when infection signs started to be seem .Parenteral İv appropriate antibiotics should be started, any fluid or abscess formations should be made drainage and sent to culture to specify the microbial agent . 

Sialorrhea 

This is a very rare complication which generally occurs If the parotid gland is inadvertently entered during surgery . There are treatment options such medication, b0 t0k s, dressing and mostly resulting with no problem. 

What to Pay Attention to to Avoid Face Lift Complications

There are certain points you should pay attention to avoid complications after a facelift. These points prevent the person from experiencing physical and psychological complications. In this context, the things that the person should pay attention to after the facelift operation are as follows;

• Choosing an Experienced Surgeon:

In order to increase the success rate of facelift surgery, an experienced and specialized surgeon who has a good command of facial anatomy should be preferred. In this regard, the surgeon’s history in aesthetic surgeries, success rate and patient comments should be taken into consideration.

• Detailed Preoperative Evaluation:

In order to avoid facelift complications, the general health status of the patient should be evaluated in detail. Factors that may increase the risk of complications such as smoking, blood thinners, diabetes or hypertension should be taken under control.

• Compliance with Postoperative Care Instructions:

In addition, the care instructions given should be followed completely to reduce the risk of complications after facelift surgery. In addition, the correct use of drains, wearing pressure garments for the recommended period and hygienic wound care are of great importance.

• Stopping Smoking and Alcohol Consumption:

Smoking may adversely affect blood circulation, delay wound healing and increase the risk of complications. For this reason, smoking and alcohol consumption before and after facelift surgery should be strictly discontinued.

• Keeping Blood Pressure Under Control:

Increased blood pressure after facelift surgery may increase the risk of bleeding and hematoma. For this reason, stress should be managed well and necessary medications should be taken.

• Avoid Heavy Physical Activity:

In addition, heavy lifting, exercise or sudden movements should be avoided for the first few weeks after surgery. Otherwise, physical activities may damage the sutures and the surgical field and cause complications.

• Skin Moisturization and Sun Protection:

Since the skin will be sensitive after surgery, moisturizing and protecting it from the sun is very important. In this context, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided to prevent scars on the skin.

• Regular Follow-up Appointments:

Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon should be made and any swelling, signs of infection or discomfort should be referred to a doctor immediately.

• Having Realistic Expectations:

Having realistic expectations about the results and process of the operation establishing an open communication with the surgeon before the operation can prevent psychological problems caused by dissatisfaction.

If you want to experience possible complications regarding possible facelift aesthetics, but also want your facelift in Turkey operation to proceed healthily, you can contact Faceaesthetics’ specialist doctors immediately and experience a healthy process.