Overview
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is surgery that lifts and tightens the deeper tissues of the face and removes excess skin to reduce sagging of the lower face and jawline. It is often combined with a neck lift to address loose skin and fat under the chin. Mayo Clinic is clear about its limits: a facelift does not remove fine lines and wrinkles or sun damage, and it does not stop the aging process.
People who look for a facelift in Cartagena or a face lift in Colombia are usually weighing three things: what a natural result looks like for them, how visible the incisions will be, and how long they need to stay before flying home. Because the face is where recovery shows most, planning downtime honestly matters as much as the operation itself.
Dr. Fulvio Correa, Miembro de Número of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery, evaluates facelift and neck lift candidates in person in Cartagena or through a virtual consultation held before you commit to travel. to review your goals, health history and travel dates.
Candidates
A facelift is usually considered by adults whose main concerns are:
- Sagging of the cheeks and midface.
- Excess skin and "jowls" along the jawline.
- Loose skin and fat in the neck (addressed with a neck lift).
- Deepening folds between the nose and the corners of the mouth.
The best candidates have skin that still has some elasticity, a stable weight and realistic expectations. The Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP) notes that most candidates are over 40 and emphasizes that the operation does not stop aging.
Health factors that matter
Mayo Clinic lists factors that increase the risk of complications or make surgery unadvisable:
- Smoking, which significantly raises the risk of poor wound healing, hematoma and skin loss.
- Blood-thinning medications or supplements, which increase bleeding risk.
- Conditions that affect clotting, poorly controlled high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Repeated weight gain and loss, which can affect the result.
If your concern is mainly the nose rather than facial aging, see rhinoplasty.
Technique
Anesthesia and duration
A facelift is performed under sedation with local anesthesia or under general anesthesia. Mayo Clinic describes the operation as typically lasting three to six hours, or longer if other procedures are done at the same time; the SCCP gives a similar range.
Incisions
Incision design depends on the goals and the amount of skin to remove:
- Traditional facelift: starts at the temple within the hairline, continues in front of the ear, curves around the earlobe and ends behind the ear in the lower scalp.
- Limited ("mini") facelift: shorter incisions for less sagging.
- Neck lift: incisions in front of and around the earlobe that continue behind the ear, often with a small incision under the chin.
What is done underneath
Through these incisions, fat may be sculpted or redistributed, and the deeper layer of the face (connective tissue and muscle) is repositioned and tightened. The skin is then redraped over the new contour and the excess trimmed. Placing the tension on the deeper layers, rather than on the skin alone, is what helps avoid a pulled look.
A small drain may be placed behind the ear, and the face is wrapped in a bandage to reduce swelling and bruising.
Stay in Cartagena
When can I fly after a facelift?
The ASPS briefing on cosmetic surgery tourism advises waiting 7 to 10 days before flying after a facelift. That period also covers the key early checks: Mayo Clinic describes removing the drain around the day after surgery and removing stitches after about a week.
Planning the stay
- Arrange for someone to stay with you for at least the first night; hematoma, the most common complication, typically appears within 24 hours.
- Choose quiet lodging where you can rest with your head elevated and avoid sun exposure; Mayo Clinic advises protecting the face from the sun for about three weeks.
- Bring front-buttoning shirts and loose hair accessories; avoid hair dye or bleach for about six weeks.
- Plan outings gently: a walk is fine, beach days and alcohol are not part of the first week.
Before you travel
Mayo Clinic recommends stopping blood thinners and hormone therapy, if applicable, about three weeks before surgery, only under medical guidance. Review every medication and supplement with your physician well in advance of the trip.
Specific risks
According to Mayo Clinic, specific risks of a facelift include:
- Hematoma, a collection of blood under the skin that causes swelling and pressure. It is the most common complication and usually forms within 24 hours; prompt treatment helps prevent damage to skin and other tissues.
- Scarring, which is permanent but usually hidden by the hairline and the natural contours of the face and ear. Rarely, incisions produce raised red scars.
- Nerve injury, which may temporarily or, rarely, permanently affect sensation or facial muscle movement.
- Hair loss near the incisions, which may be temporary or permanent.
- Skin loss, a rare interruption of blood supply to the facial skin, more likely in smokers.
As with any surgery, there are also risks of bleeding, infection, reaction to anesthesia and the possibility of needing further treatment. Results are long-lasting, but aging continues.
General information; your individual risks are reviewed during consultation.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–2
Mild to moderate discomfort, swelling and bruising. The drain, if placed, is usually removed the day after surgery; rest with your head elevated and use cold compresses as instructed.
Days 3–10
Bandages are replaced by a lighter elastic support; stitches are removed after about a week (the SCCP describes days 8 to 14). Flying is usually considered after 7 to 10 days, per ASPS guidance.
Weeks 2–3
Much of the bruising fades by the second week, and the SCCP places return to daily activities around days 10 to 15. Protect the face from the sun for about three weeks and hold off on strenuous exercise until cleared.
Months 2–6
Follow-up continues for roughly two months. Residual swelling and numbness gradually improve, and the result keeps settling for several months.
If you are also considering changing the shape of your nose, see Rhinoplasty
Questions about facelift
How long should I stay in Colombia after a facelift?
ASPS guidance on cosmetic surgery tourism suggests waiting 7 to 10 days before flying after a facelift. That usually covers drain removal and stitch removal at about one week; your exact stay is confirmed in consultation.
How long does a facelift last?
Results are long-lasting, but a facelift does not stop aging. Mayo Clinic notes that the skin continues to age over time, so the face will keep changing.
What is the recovery time for a facelift?
Most bruising fades within about two weeks, and many people return to everyday activities around 10 to 15 days. Residual swelling and numbness improve over several months.
What is the difference between a facelift and a neck lift?
A facelift targets sagging of the cheeks and jawline, while a neck lift addresses loose skin and fat under the chin and along the neck. They are frequently performed together.
Will facelift scars be visible?
The incisions are placed in the hairline and around the ear so they follow natural contours. The scars are permanent but usually become discreet as they mature.
Does a facelift remove wrinkles?
It improves sagging and deeper folds, but Mayo Clinic notes it does not correct fine lines, wrinkles or sun damage. Skin treatments are considered separately.