Lower Facelift in Turkey
Lower facelift in Turkey: lifting the jowls and jawline through incisions around the ear without treating the mid-face or brow; 2 hospital nights and 7 hotel nights. How it differs from a mini and a full lift, recovery, risks.
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia
Operation time
2.5–3 hours
Hospital / hotel
2 nights / 7 nights
Stay in Turkey
9 nights (2 hospital + 7 hotel), sutures out before you fly
Back to work
Desk work in 2 weeks
Package price
€1,560
What Lower Facelift involves
A lower facelift targets the jawline: jowls that blur the line between face and neck, marionette lines running down from the corners of the mouth, and the early loosening of skin under the chin. It uses incisions around the ear — including a short section behind it — to lift the SMAS layer of the lower face and redrape the skin, without the temple incision of a full facelift and without the full neck work of a face and neck lift. It sits between the mini facelift and the full lift in extent, recovery and durability.
It is the operation for a patient whose cheeks and mid-face are still well supported but whose jawline has gone, often in the late 40s to late 50s. Because the incision continues briefly behind the ear, the surgeon can address mild neck laxity at the sides; if the neck has bands or significant loose skin, the corset platysmaplasty of a full neck lift is needed and the face and neck lift is the honest recommendation.
What it does not do: it does not lift the cheeks or mid-face, the brow or the eyes, and it does not fully treat a loose neck. Choosing it correctly is what makes it a satisfying operation; choosing it to avoid a bigger one that is needed makes it a short-lived compromise.
Scars: In front of the ear inside the tragus, around the earlobe and a short distance behind the ear
Who it suits — and who it does not
Good candidates
- ✓Jowls, marionette lines and a soft jawline with the cheeks still well positioned
- ✓Mild neck laxity at the sides without bands or significant hanging skin
- ✓Good skin elasticity for your age, stable weight
- ✓Non-smokers with controlled blood pressure
- ✓A wish for a natural jawline refresh with a moderate recovery
Usually advised against
- –Cheek and mid-face descent as a major concern — a full facelift lifts these
- –Neck bands or a double chin — a face and neck lift is needed
- –Very early jowls with a tight neck — a mini lift may be enough
- –Smokers unwilling to stop
- –Skin texture as the main concern
Techniques and options
Incision
From just above the ear, down inside the tragus, around the earlobe and a short distance up behind the ear. No temple incision, which is what distinguishes it from a full facelift.
SMAS lift of the lower face
The SMAS over the jowl and lower cheek is tightened with plication or a SMASectomy in a vertical and posterior direction, repositioning the jowl and sharpening the jawline. The deep-plane variant is used in heavier faces.
Lateral neck tightening
Through the short retro-auricular extension, the sides of the platysma can be pulled upward and secured, improving mild neck laxity. It does not replace a corset platysmaplasty.
Skin redraping and closure
Skin is redraped without tension and the excess removed along the incision; layered closure keeps the earlobe natural and the scars fine.
Adjuncts
Submental liposuction for a small amount of fat under the chin, and fat grafting to the marionette area, are added when they improve the result.
What happens on surgery day
- 1
Assessment before travel: photos from the front, sides and three-quarter views with the neck visible. The surgeon confirms a lower facelift fits — or advises a mini, full, or face and neck lift.
- 2
Admission on the morning of surgery after fasting. Blood tests, ECG and anaesthetic review; blood pressure optimised.
- 3
Markings sitting up. Under general anaesthesia, local anaesthetic with adrenaline infiltrated, incisions made, SMAS lifted, lateral neck tightened, skin redraped and closed. Drains for 24 hours where used.
- 4
A padded head dressing; two nights in hospital with head elevation and blood-pressure monitoring.
- 5
Discharge to the hotel on day 2. Clinic visits for wound checks and suture removal at days 5–8; fit-to-fly report before you travel.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
Swelling and bruising along the jaw and around the ears; tightness and numbness. Head elevated, cold compresses, soft food.
Days 5–8
Sutures removed. Bruising fading. Gentle hair washing from day 3. Fit-to-fly check.
Weeks 2–3
Presentable with make-up; desk work resumes. Numbness in front of and behind the ears is normal.
Weeks 4–6
Swelling largely gone; light exercise resumes. Scars pink.
Months 3–12
Final result by 3 months; scars fade to pale over 12 months.
Results — and their limits
A defined jawline, softened marionette lines and no jowls — a natural change in the lower face that others read as looking well.
The result typically lasts 7–10 years; ageing continues from a better starting point. A later neck lift can be added if the neck loosens.
The cheeks, mid-face, brow and skin quality are unchanged.
Scars around the ear fade to fine lines that are difficult to find after a year.
When it is final: Swelling settles over 2–3 months; scars mature over 12 months; result lasts 7–10 years
Risks and how they are managed
Every operation carries risk. These are the ones that matter for this procedure, and what is done to reduce, spot or treat each.
Haematoma
Blood-pressure control, stopping blood thinners, drains where used, two hospital nights; prompt drainage if one forms.
Skin loss behind the ear
Non-smoking and tension-free closure; small areas heal with dressings.
Nerve injury
Temporary lower-lip weakness in a small proportion, recovering over weeks; permanent injury rare.
Earlobe numbness
Usually temporary.
Visible scars or earlobe distortion
Incision inside the tragus, closure without tension, scar care.
Under-correction of the neck
A matter of correct selection; if the neck needed a corset platysmaplasty, that operation is recommended instead.
Asymmetry
Minor adjustments possible after 6 months.
Infection
Uncommon; antibiotic cover.
Package and cost
€1,560
One fixed price for the operation and a 9-night stay: 2 hospital nights and 7 hotel nights. No deposit surprises, no add-ons for anaesthesia or medication.
Included
- ✓Consultation with the operating plastic surgeon and assessment of which lift fits
- ✓Pre-operative blood tests, ECG and anaesthetic assessment
- ✓Lower facelift under general anaesthesia in a hospital operating theatre
- ✓2 nights in hospital with nursing care, drains where used and medication
- ✓7 nights in a 4- or 5-star hotel in Kuşadası
- ✓Private transfers between airport, hospital, clinic and hotel
- ✓Dressings, suture removal, wound checks and fit-to-fly report
- ✓12 months of remote photo follow-up
Not included
- –Flights and travel insurance that covers elective surgery abroad
- –Neck lift, blepharoplasty or fat grafting if added — quoted as a package
- –Skin resurfacing or skincare
How to compare this with a quote at home
Ask any clinic for the same list: surgeon and anaesthetist fees, hospital nights, tests, medication, garments or splints, follow-up visits. A cheaper headline price usually excludes several of these. Then add your flights and insurance to our price for a like-for-like comparison.
How to prepare
- 1.Send photos from the front, sides and three-quarter views with the neck visible, in neutral expression and good light.
- 2.Stop smoking and nicotine 4 weeks before and after. Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E and herbal supplements 14 days before.
- 3.Ensure blood pressure is controlled; take your medication on the morning of surgery unless told otherwise.
- 4.Colour your hair before you travel; no colouring for 6 weeks after.
- 5.Bring front-opening tops, a scarf and sunglasses; arrange 9 nights in Turkey and 2 weeks off work.
Aftercare at home
- •Sleep with the head raised for 2 weeks; avoid bending, lifting and sharp neck turns.
- •Cold compresses for 48 hours; soft food for a week.
- •Gentle hair washing from day 3; no colouring for 6 weeks.
- •No strenuous exercise, sauna or sunbathing for 4 weeks; SPF on the scars for 12 months.
- •Report sudden one-sided swelling, increasing pain or fever immediately. Photos at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Lower, mini or full facelift?
How long does it last?
Where are the scars?
Does it treat the neck?
How painful is recovery?
When can I fly home?
What is included in the price?
Often considered alongside
Free assessment
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