Full face lift – What it is

Full face lifting is an excellent aesthetic restoration treatment for individuals with significant sagging of the facial muscles, resulting from the effects of time, major weight fluctuations, or hereditary factors.

It is recommended by Plastic Surgeon Georgia Chorti when milder treatments cannot deliver the desired results, or when mini face lift does not provide a sufficient solution.

Indications for full face lifting:

With face lifting, surgical tightening of specific facial muscles is achieved, followed by repositioning of the sagging tissues back to their original position, without overstretching, while respecting the natural facial features and preserving overall harmony.

The procedure is performed in the operating room under local or general anesthesia and lasts approximately 2 hours. Additional procedures can also be combined during the same operation, as the surgeon’s extensive experience allows for the efficient completion of multiple interventions.

Face lifting involves repositioning the muscles, fat, and fascia to their original position. The location and size of the incision vary for each patient depending on their individual needs. It may begin slightly above the ear, extend in front of the ear following its natural contour to the lower part, or continue behind it upward, so that it is concealed within the hairline. The incisions are very small. Through these points, the muscles beneath the eyes, in the cheeks, along the jawline, and in the neck are lifted.

It is often combined with a small incision under the chin, through which liposuction of the neck or tightening of excess skin with sutures is performed.

After the procedure, the patient remains in the clinic for 24 hours with the face covered with gauze. Postoperative pain is managed with common painkillers.

Full return to daily activities occurs within 5–10 days. The final results become visible several weeks after the surgery.

Regarding complications, every lifting procedure may statistically present with hematoma or fluid accumulation, which are fully manageable conditions. However, in the 25 years that Plastic Surgeon G. Chorti has been performing lifting procedures, she has not encountered any cases of postoperative hematoma, due to the effective hemostasis achieved during skin dissection, ensuring that blood vessels do not bleed.

The face regains its contour and lost freshness. The results are permanent and impressive. Regarding their duration, as the doctor notes, “if we define the procedure as time zero, from that point onward facial laxity gradually begins again, with visible signs appearing after approximately 10 years.”

In face lifting, for a harmonious and natural result without exaggeration, the muscles are repositioned to their original position without stretching the skin. If there is also tissue atrophy due to loss of natural fat, Plastic Surgeon G. Chorti applies facial liposculpture, meaning volume restoration through the transfer of autologous fat from another part of the body.

Face lifting can be combined with simultaneous blepharoplasty or afterward with Plexr – non-surgical blepharoplasty, with chemical peeling or crystal peeling, with mesotherapy, with laser treatments, radiofrequency, and more.

The Plastic Surgeon will inform you about what combination may be most beneficial specifically for you during the free consultation.