Plastic Surgery

Facial Surgery

Surgical facial procedures planned with a surgeon after photos and an in-person review.

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Procedures
Facelift, eyelids, brow, chin
Anaesthesia
General or local with sedation
Time in Istanbul
Often 7–12 nights
Back to desk work
Often after 1–3 weeks
Overview

About Facial Surgery

Facial surgery includes operations such as facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, chin augmentation, ear correction and buccal fat removal. Each targets a different part of the face.

A careful plan looks at the whole face, including skin quality, bone structure and how features relate to one another. Sometimes a smaller operation, or a non-surgical treatment, achieves a more natural result than a larger one.

Suitability

Who it may be suitable for

  • Specific concerns such as sagging, hooded eyelids or a weak chin
  • Understanding that surgery refreshes rather than transforms
  • Realistic expectations about swelling and recovery time
  • Good general health, a stable weight and no smoking, or willingness to stop

These are general points only. Whether an operation is suitable for you is decided by the treating surgeon after an in-person examination, your medical history and any tests they request.

The process

How it works

  1. Remote review

    You share photos and your medical history. The surgeon gives a first opinion on whether the operation is suitable and what it could realistically achieve.

  2. Consultation in Istanbul

    The surgeon examines you in person, confirms the plan, explains the risks and arranges pre-operative tests before you give consent.

  3. Surgery

    The operation is carried out under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on the procedure.

  4. Check before you fly

    The surgeon reviews healing before you travel home, and you receive written aftercare instructions and remote follow-up.

Aftercare

What to expect and aftercare

  1. First week

    Swelling and bruising are at their peak. You sleep with your head raised, use cold compresses as advised and avoid bending and heavy lifting.

  2. Days 5–10

    Stitches are usually removed and much of the bruising fades. Some people feel comfortable in public with light make-up.

  3. Weeks 2–6

    Most visible swelling settles, though some tightness or numbness can remain. Exercise is resumed gradually.

  4. Months 3–12

    Residual swelling resolves and scars fade. The final result is usually judged after several months.

Timelines vary between people. Always follow the aftercare instructions from your treating clinic.

Good to know

Risks and considerations

  • Temporary numbness, tightness and asymmetry during healing are common. Injury to facial nerves is rare but possible.
  • Facial surgery does not stop ageing. The face continues to change over time.
  • All surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, blood clots and reactions to anaesthesia.
  • Scars are permanent. Surgeons place them where they are easiest to hide, but how they mature varies from person to person.
  • Smoking and nicotine products significantly increase the risk of wound-healing problems. Most surgeons ask you to stop for several weeks before and after surgery.
  • Results take months to settle and cannot be guaranteed. Some people need a revision procedure.
FAQ

Common questions

Which facial procedure do I need?

That depends on which features concern you and why. The surgeon examines your face as a whole and may suggest a different or smaller procedure than you expected.

How long until I look presentable?

Many people feel comfortable in public after about two weeks, though this varies with the operation and how you heal.

How long should I stay in Istanbul after surgery?

It depends on the operation. Many are planned around one to two weeks so the surgeon can check you and remove stitches or drains before you fly. Flying soon after surgery raises the risk of blood clots, so your surgeon confirms when it is safe to travel.

How is the cost decided?

The price depends on the operation the surgeon recommends after examining you, the hospital stay and any combined procedures. You receive a written, itemised quote before anything is booked, with no obligation to proceed.

Related treatments
Next step

Talk to a coordinator about Facial Surgery

Share your details and a coordinator will reply with clear next steps. There is no obligation to proceed.

This page is general information, not medical advice; a treating clinician confirms your plan after assessment. ELAVIA Global coordinates care; clinical evaluation and treatment are delivered by independent, licensed partner facilities and their specialists.