The Complete Guide To Circular Facelift: Methods, Tips & Warnings

"You will never have a second opportunity to make a first impression" - this thought is especially true in relation to the face, because it is on him that we first of all pay attention when meeting a person. According to his condition and expression, we draw conclusions about the age, health, social status, temperament of the individual. In this regard, facial plastic can work wonders, allowing you to look 10-15 years younger and more.

A circular facelift is the most effective operation that guarantees cardinal facial rejuvenation even in the presence of the most serious age-related changes. A complete guide was compiled together with a plastic surgeon, professor, doctor of medical sciences, a full member of OPREKH Igor Bely.

Who is the operation for?

The operation is indicated not only for the elderly, but also for fairly young patients. Especially often stars of cinema and show business, politicians, patients after significant weight loss or childbirth, anatomical changes in the body, as well as acquired changes after severe stress or illness, turn to plastic surgeons. The circular lift is especially popular among women aged 45+.

Typical complaints for which a circular lift may be indicated:

Drooping eyebrows
Double chin, neck creases
Sagging skin of the forehead, cheeks, eyelids
Loss of skin tone, flabbiness, age-related weakening of facial muscles
Deep mimic wrinkles, pronounced nasolabial folds
Decreased elasticity of the soft tissues of the face
Changing the shape of the face
The appearance of "flews" (ugly contour of the lower jaw)
Unlike other facial surgeries, a circular lift can fix these problems in one go.

What effect can you expect from a circular lift surgery?

Elimination of sagging skin and soft tissues, restoration of the V-shaped oval of the face
Getting rid of deep wrinkles and sagging skin
Solution of the double chin issue, clear chin angle and "slender" neck line
Restoration of a beautiful line of cheekbones, elimination of "wings" (see also: "Saggy cheeks: how to remove flews on the face?") And nasolabial folds

Limitations and contraindications to the procedure

The operation has a standard set of health requirements. Before carrying out it, the patient must pass a classic set of tests and undergo an examination. Among the main contraindications for performing a circular facelift are:

Viral and infectious diseases in the acute phase
Pregnancy and lactation
Oncological diseases
Problems associated with bleeding disorders
Severe heart disease, etc.

How is the operation going?

There are several methods for performing a circular facelift. A good specialist selects them individually, depending on the severity of the problems, age and goals that the patient has set for the doctor (see also: "4 questions to ask yourself before plastic surgery").

The duration of the operation is 2 to 4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. During the plasty, the subcutaneous soft tissues are tightened (not only the SMAS, but also the muscles and adipose tissue). Deep tissue tightening can be done even through small incisions or punctures in the skin, while long incisions in circular tightening are only needed to remove excess skin.

The main rule that most surgeons follow is this: the more excess skin, the longer the stitches will be. A new, more progressive approach involves the use of techniques and techniques that allow a high-quality lift through a short incision. But if you can't do without a cut, the seam can be hidden.

How exactly can the seams be hidden?

The most common option is in the ear, but an incision can also be made in the mouth or on the lining of the eyelid. Moreover, the technology that allows to reduce the seam length several times has already been invented. For example, a long cut on the forehead (along the hairline) and a seam in front of the ears can be completely eliminated. It can be replaced by two short (only 2 cm) incisions in the corners of the forehead and tiny incisions behind the tragus. Also used are incisions in the scalp - at the temples, sometimes an additional horizontal incision in the hair behind - from the ear to the back of the head. A neck lift requires an additional small incision in the fossa under the chin.

If the operation is carried out correctly, after such an improved circular lifting there will be completely invisible small and thin, like a thread, scars, well hidden by the "natural relief" of the face.

Rehabilitation

Almost all facial surgeries (except for auricular surgery) are painless. Most often, after them, no bruises remain, the edema can be moderate, sometimes completely invisible, but in some it is more pronounced. It depends not only on the skill of the surgeon, but also on your individual tendency to edema and fragility of blood vessels.

For 10-14 days after the circular lift, it is mandatory to wear a fixed bandage to prevent swelling. The sutures are removed in stages - from 3 to 14 days after the operation. In the first 2 weeks, bondage can only be removed for a short time (for example, to take a shower). After 2-3 weeks, you can gradually reduce the time you wear the elastic bandage, and then (in consultation with the doctor) wear it only at night.

You can go for a walk and shopping in a week. You can demonstrate the tightening effect to friends and colleagues 4-6 weeks after the operation. By this time, the most noticeable traces of surgery have already disappeared, and the seams will become almost invisible. Finally, scars will form only 6 months later, so some surgeons indicate this very period for the final assessment of the result of their work.