Frequently asked questions about facelift surgery in Lausanne

What is facelift surgery?

Facelift surgery aims to correct sagging cheeks, jowls and neck related to aging. This surgery can redefine the cheekbones, cheeks and mandible giving your face and neck an overall more youthful and refreshed appearance.

What is the ideal age to have a facelift?

Each person ages uniquely, but it is when our facial contours begin to lose their shape that a facelift gives the best results. Most patients are in the 45 to 65 age window.

Are there non-surgical techniques to achieve a “facelift effect”?

In recent years, many methods have been proposed that are less invasive than facelift surgery. Skin boosters and PRP are used for a "refreshing" effect on the face, resulting in improved skin texture, deep hydration and a glow. More invasive techniques such as facial tightening threads, “full face” injections of hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin and lasers also give a temporary lifting effect for a few months.

Do non-surgical techniques have similar effects to face lifts?

Non-surgical techniques are obviously less effective than facelift surgery in terms of absolute results ("less dramatic" results) and duration ("much shorter" duration). In addition, a "deep plane" face lift gives more natural and harmonious results, in our hands, compared to other techniques: a face lift puts the structures of the face back into their natural (anatomical) position they were in 10 or 15 years ago.

One must imagine it is the skin that falls because it loses its tone, allowing the deep structures (fat) to slide down in some areas. Adding volume (filling) cannot obtain the same natural results of the deep plane facelift. The deep plane facelift repositions the deep structures without putting unnecessary tension on the skin, allowing the scars to heal in the best conditions (this is the reason why deep plane facelift scars are very discreet).

How long does the effect of a surgical face lift last?

Current “deep plane” facelift results that restore the deep facial structures to their anatomical position last approximately 10 years, unlike other less effective and long-lasting surgical techniques.

What face lift technique do you use at Global Medical Institute and why?

At Global Medical Institute we use the deep plane facelift technique for two main reasons:

1. The deep plane gives the most natural and long-lasting results because it lifts the deep structures of the face to obtain a better definition of the mandible, neck, cheekbones, reducing the sagging of the middle and lower part of the face and the wrinkles between the nose and mouth;
2. The deep plane causes fewer complications (hematoma type) and has a faster healing time than other techniques while reducing the tension on the skin and consequently allowing to obtain very discreet scars.

Although the deep plane facelift technique is superior to other techniques for the reasons mentioned above, the deep plane is not performed by most cosmetic surgeons because it requires technical skill, anatomical knowledge and above average surgical experience. Contrary to what one might imagine from the name of this technique, the deep plane facelift is less invasive and requires a faster recovery time than other face lift techniques.

What other techniques can be combined with a facelift to achieve an overall effect?

At Global Medical Institute, we perform a global analysis of the face to obtain a natural and harmonious result at the end of the procedure. Some areas of the face, such as the upper lips and the area around the eyes, cannot be treated completely by a facelift. In these areas, techniques such as lip lift and CO2 laser are often combined with deep plane facelift surgery.

For the eyes, an upper and lower blepharoplasty can be combined. Brow lifts are also often requested by patients and can be combined with deep facelifts.

To obtain a general skin regeneration effect, lipofilling (or fat transfer) can be associated with a deep facelift because there is very little skin removal required with this technique.

How long is the social downtime (not being able to go out) after a face lift?

Patients think that a deep plane face lift, probably misled by the word "deep" meaning deep, is a major surgery. In reality, a deep plane facelift is not a major surgery and requires less recovery time than other facelift techniques: most patients can already work two weeks after surgery.

How much does a face lift cost?

The cost of a facelift at Global Medical Institute in Lausanne is approximately 20,000 CHF.

Is the face lift painful?

The deep plane technique is not a major surgery and is generally not painful. Patients are surprised at the speed of recovery and the absence of pain after the operation.

Is the face lift done on an outpatient basis?

The deep plane facelift by Global Medical Institute's team can be performed on an outpatient basis. However, it is recommended that you have a follow-up appointment the day after the operation to check on the progress. Other options are possible depending on the patient's wishes and the global situation (for example for patients coming from abroad), like spending a night in a clinic or in a hotel near the clinic.

Is a facelift dangerous?

The main risks of facelift surgery are the formation of hematomas and healing problems causing visible and unsightly scars. The deep plane technique adopted at Global Medical Institute drastically reduces these complications. Other possible complications are nerve damage, which we avoid in any case at Global Medical Institute due to our experience and reputation in nerve and migraine surgery. Like all surgeries, there are unlikely but possible risks and the Global Medical Institute team is committed to following its patients until they are completely healed.

Am I a suitable applicant for a facelift?

When you notice a sagging face that makes you appear tired, sad or even angry or depressed even though you are not, then you may be eligible for deep plane facelift surgery. If you are concerned about jowls, wrinkles between the mouth and nose, loss of definition of the mandible and neck then a deep plane facelift may be indicated to correct these signs of time.

How long do I have to wear an elastic bandage after a face lift?

After the deep plane face lift technique by the Global Medical Institute team an elastic bandage is only necessary for a few days after the operation. The deep plane face lift technique does not place tension on the skin but on the deep structures. Therefore, the elastic bandage that supports the skin is not really necessary, but increases patients' comfort during the first days after the operation.