Facelift

What is a facelift?

A facelift can make your face look several years younger. Some women and men prematurely get an older look or want to look a little younger than they originally do. Over the years, the skin on the cheeks and neck becomes wrinkled and sagging. Some get a double chin, heavy eyelids and bags under the eyes.

What is the difference between a minilift and a facelift?

A facelift tightens the skin and subcutaneous muscles, as well as removing excess skin from the area extending all the way down to the corner of the mouth to the middle of the neck, with scars extending from the temple, in front of and behind the ear.

The minilift only tightens the skin at the cheeks and removes the excess skin. This method leaves smaller scars, which run in front of the ear and down towards the earlobe.

During the consultation, your wishes and needs regarding the facelift/neck lift are thoroughly assessed with regard to the totality and type of facelift. If there is an indication for an eyelid or forehead liftsurgeries, this is considered whether it should be done at the same time as the facelift or at a separate surgery.

A facelift surgery

In a standard faceliftsurgery , the scars go directly in front of and behind the ear, freeing the skin layer from the underlying structure and then removing the extra skin. Finally, the rest is sewn up in front of and behind the ear so that the scar is less visible, giving you the best result from a facelift.

In order to achieve optimal results and to avoid complications after the facelift and neck lift, it is recommended that you have as normal a weight as possible and comply with the conditions mentioned above as far as possible. If you smoke, you must quit at least 1 month before surgery and continue without for 2 weeks after the facelift.

We close the wound with stitches that dissolve on their own. In principle, facelifts/neck lifts do not qualify for sick leave. Physical exercise and hard physical work should wait about 6 weeks. The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time they fade and soften. However, the scars are hidden behind the ear but may be slightly visible in front of the ear. In rare cases, the scars become wide and clearly visible, because this is dependent on the person's own inherited characteristics. We therefore recommend that you tape the scars for a couple of months after the operation. In addition, you will need to wear a special bandage for a few weeks after the facelift.

Before the operation

You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you are in any doubt about whether you have a cold or similar, please contact us. The operation is not performed if you have flu with fever, cough or other infection in the body. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, painkillers if necessary and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.

The day before surgery and on the day of the operation, wash your entire body with Hibiscrub solution in the shower. This is a disinfectant soap that should be rinsed off with water and the skin dried with a clean towel. Put on clean clothes when you leave home. Do not use perfume and lotion. All jewelry, piercings and nail polish must be removed no later than the day before the operation and replaced 7 to 10 days after the operation.

For the best possible result and to avoid complications, it is recommended that you have your normal weight and not an excessively high BMI. If you smoke, or practice nicotine such as snuff or electronic cigarettes, you must quit at least 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.

You should come to the surgery fasting. This means that you should not eat any food including fruit, juice with pulp and dairy products 6 hours before the operation, and you should not drink water, juice, milk, juice without pulp or coffee, chew gum/drops/throat lozenges up to 4 hours before the operation. Oral medications that you may need to take on the day of surgery can be swallowed with 1 glass of water up to 100 ml up to 1 hour before the start of anesthesia/attendance.

You must arrange in advance with a person to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the end of the operation, as you cannot drive yourself, take public transport or taxi alone.

It is important that you stop taking blood-thinning medication about 14 days before the operation, preferably in consultation with your GP or us. For other medications, consult the clinic before the operation. You should also avoid eating a lot of garlic and health food preparations.

On the day of surgery

You will be received by our staff who will prepare you for the operation before the surgeon sees you. Before the actual procedure, the surgeon will go through the procedure, draw up the plan and answer any questions you may have. Anesthesia staff will also come and greet you and answer your questions. When the operation is about to begin, the surgical nurse will pick you up and clean the operating area while the anesthesia staff give you a sedative in your arm so you sleep under surgery. In addition, the surgeon will administer a local anesthetic in the operating area for a long-lasting analgesic effect in the operating area after the operation, which also reduces bleeding in the area.

After the operation, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will have your own bed. You will then rest for 1-2 hours and be served food and plenty of drink in the form of sandwiches, yogurt and juice (remember to inform about allergies). Painkillers may be given if necessary.

The surgeon will check on you before your return home/hotel stay and you will be cleared by anesthesia staff before you go home with an adult companion. The PVK attached to your hand will be removed before you leave. A car or taxi must be used as a means of transportation immediately after surgery, we do not recommend public transport or walking.

After the operation

All patients come for a post-operative check-up the day after surgery. We recommend that you do not travel by air for the first 48 hours after surgery. During this time, a follow-up appointment will be arranged at the clinic and you should come to the clinic the day after the surgery.

In the first few hours after the operation, you may feel a little tired and sometimes a little nauseous. It's important that you take painkillers as prescribed and as needed, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids for the first 24 hours. Some people may feel a little dizzy, so it's a good idea to take a few minutes to stand up. For the first two days, you should rest and lie as still as possible.

The final result can only be assessed after 3-6 months. Follow-up checks are arranged with the clinic; the day after surgery, after 1-2 weeks and 3-6 months, as well as a final check after a year. You must call to arrange the check-ups yourself, or alternatively make an appointment with the clinic on the day of the operation.

Bleeding and infection are uncommon and in very few cases require reoperation and/or antibiotic treatment. Anesthetic complications, such as allergic reaction to anesthetics, are extremely rare.

If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this will be done free of charge within one year, provided there is a medical indication and a clear potential for improvement. This is our guarantee period.

Pick-up and accommodation

You must arrange in advance for someone to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the operation, as you cannot drive, take public transport or a taxi on your own. You must also have someone with you the same day and the first night.

If you live far from the clinic, we recommend that you stay overnight in Oslo, either with family/friends or at a hotel.

Hotels in the vicinity of Oslo Plastikkirurgi;
Hotel Gabels Hus in Gabelsgate 16.
Frogner House Apartments, Bygdøy Allé 53.
(We have an agreement with Frogner House Apartments, please inform us when booking a room).

Ask for guidance and advice

We can give you the best advice face to face. We will guide you to the best solution for you.

The doctor in charge is Dr. Amin Kalaaji, senior consultant dr.med, specialist in plastic surgery and head of the clinic at Oslo Plastikkirurgi, and head of the Norwegian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NFEP) 2018-2020.

Dr. Kalaaji holds many positions and gives lectures and training around the world. This benefits all our patients as he is always up to date on the latest and most advanced treatments and surgical techniques. 

Patient safety, high quality and individual treatment are always our top priorities at Oslo Plastikkirurgi.