Facelift in Turkey

Most people want to look like themselves on a good day, not "pulled" or "done". A natural result usually comes from lifting the deeper tissues rather than only pulling the skin, from not over-tightening, and from treating the neck and face together when both need it.

• Ask each surgeon to show before-and-after photos of patients your age, ideally with a similar face shape.
• Tell them what you do not want - for example a wind-swept look or a changed hairline.
• Results cannot be guaranteed. Ask how they handle a result you are unhappy with.

Each surgeon profile shows their hospital, experience and reviews, so you can compare before you ask for a quote.

Helen (63, from Canada) had her facelift in Turkey with &NewMe and filmed this a few days after surgery - an honest look at early recovery. Every recovery is different.

Typical timings (your surgeon will advise for your case):

• Hospital: facelift packages listed here include 1 to 4 nights in hospital, depending on the surgeon.
• Stitches: usually removed after 7 to 14 days, unless they dissolve.
• Flying home: you fly once your surgeon confirms you are fit to fly. Ask how many days they want you to stay in Istanbul before you book flights.
• Bruising: usually visible for at least 2 weeks. Many people plan 2 to 4 weeks before going back to work.
• Exercise: avoid strenuous activity, saunas and massage for at least 2 weeks.
• Final result: settles over 6 to 9 months as swelling goes down.

Sources: NHS - Facelift; American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Facelift recovery.

• Your coordinator stays with you through recovery, not just before surgery - message them first.
• Remote follow-up with your surgeon is part of the process after you return home.
• Complication insurance is included by most providers. Check your quote for the plan, its limits and any initial exclusion period.

For severe pain, sudden swelling, fever or bleeding, get medical help at home straight away, then tell your coordinator.

• Facelift with neck lift - lifts the cheeks, jawline and neck. This is the package most surgeons list here.
• Mini facelift - smaller incisions, mainly the jawline; suits earlier sagging.
• Neck lift - on its own when the face is fine but the neck is loose.
• Often combined with eyelid surgery or a brow lift. Non-surgical options such as a thread lift give a smaller, temporary lift.

On &NewMe a facelift is almost always done with a neck lift - the packages listed here include both. Many people also add upper and lower eyelid surgery or a brow lift in the same operation: one anaesthetic and one recovery, but a longer operation and more swelling at once. Your surgeon decides what is safe for you.

• Neck lift in Turkey - on its own from €2,000; combined packages.
• Eyelid surgery in Turkey - on its own from €950; with a facelift.

Results are long-lasting but your face keeps ageing. Sun protection, not smoking and a stable weight help. Some people choose smaller touch-ups years later.

Like any surgery: bleeding or a collection of blood under the skin, infection, problems healing, visible or thick scars, numbness or nerve injury, uneven features, hair loss around the scars, blood clots and reactions to the anaesthetic. Your surgeon should explain these in your consultation. Source: NHS.