Facial surgery is surgical procedures to improve the appearance or function of the face, including facelift, eyelid plasty, nose and ear correction and reconstructive procedures.

Facial surgery includes such areas as:

Maxillofacial surgery
– orthognathic surgery (correction of malocclusion and jaw/jaw alignment),
– treatment of facial deformities,
– temporomandibular joint surgery,
– treatment of cysts, tumors and inflammatory lesions.

Dental surgery and implantology
– removal of retained teeth (e.g., eights),
– bone regeneration,
– dental implants,
– alveolar reconstructive procedures.

Facial aesthetic surgery
– nose correction (rhinoplasty),
– chin and jawline correction,
– face and neck lift,
– correction of facial asymmetry,
– eyelid plastics (blepharoplasty).

Reconstructive surgery
– facial reconstruction after trauma,
– treatment of congenital defects (e.g. clefts),
– reconstruction after cancer treatment,
– correction of scars and deformities.

Healthy people in whom there are aesthetic or medical indications, after positive medical qualification.

People in whom facial disorders affect daily functioning:
malocclusion requiring surgical treatment (orthognathics),
difficulties with chewing, speech or breathing,
temporomandibular joint pain,
facial asymmetries of bony origin,
congenital defects (e.g. clefts),
sequelae of trauma and facial fractures.

In these cases, facial surgery is a treatment, not just an improvement in appearance.

Contraindications to facial surgery are situations in which the procedure could pose too great a health risk, fail to produce the expected results or worsen the patient’s condition. Some of them are temporary, and some are absolute –so sound medical qualification is crucial.

Absolute contraindications
The procedure shall not be performed when the following are present:
– unregulated cardiovascular diseases,
– severe pulmonary diseases preventing safe anesthesia,
– active malignant diseases (in addition to planned oncological treatment),
– blood clotting disorders,
– severe autoimmune diseases in active phase,
– lack of patient’s consent or lack of capacity for informed consent.

Temporary contraindications (relative)
Treatment can be postponed if they are present:

– active infections (general or local infections in the face and mouth),
– unstabilized diabetes,
– pregnancy and lactation,
– untreated oral inflammation,
– fresh aesthetic treatments (e.g. fillers, threads),
– nutritional deficiencies or anemia.

Local contraindications
– active inflammation of the teeth and periodontium,
– untreated foci of infection in the jawbone,
– insufficient oral hygiene,
– advanced periodontal disease (in some procedures).

The key factors are the maturity of the bone structures, the state of health and the indications for the procedure. Young patients and mature patients qualify differently.

Children and adolescents
Most procedures are not performed before the end of bone growth.
Exceptions are medical indications (e.g., severe congenital malformations, trauma, respiratory disorders).
Orthognathic surgery is most often scheduled after puberty (around 16-18 years of age, individually).

The priority is not to interfere with normal facial development.

Adults (18-60 years)
This is the most common group of facial surgery patients.
Both
– functional (e.g., orthognathic),
– reconstructive,
– aesthetic procedures are possible.

Metric age is less important than:
-general health,
-bone and tissue quality,
-lifestyle (e.g. smoking).

This is the period of best recovery and predictable results.

Elderly patients (60+)
Age in itself is not a contraindication.
Key considerations are:
– comorbidities,
– fitness,
– safety of anesthesia,
– healing capacity.

Treatments are possible if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Yes, if performed by an experienced surgeon and after proper qualification of the patient.

There may be swelling, hematoma, infection or impaired healing, among other things – the risks are discussed before the procedure.

The procedure is performed under anesthesia, and post-operative pain is usually moderate and controlled with medication.

Depending on the scope of the procedure – local, intravenous or general.

Mostly blood tests, ECGs and other tests recommended individually by the doctor.

Preparing for facial surgery is one of the key elements affecting the safety of the procedure, the course of recovery and the end result. The good news: most of the recommendations are simple and clearly planned by the medical team.

A few weeks before surgery
– Perform all recommended tests (laboratory, imaging, ECG).
– Inform your doctor about all diseases, medications and supplements.
– Treat inflammation of the mouth and teeth.
– If you smoke – limit or preferably quit smoking (at least 2-4 weeks).
– Avoid alcohol.
– For orthognathic procedures: follow your orthodontist’s recommendations.

Medications and supplements
– Discontinue (after consulting your doctor):
— Blood-thinning drugs (e.g. aspirin),
— Some supplements (vitamin E, omega-3, ginseng).
Don’t discontinue chronic medications on your own – always by appointment

The duration of facial surgery depends primarily on the type of procedure, its complexity and whether it is combined with other procedures. It can range from a short intervention to a multi-stage operation.

Minor surgical procedures
(e.g., chin correction, minor bone or soft tissue procedures):
– 30-90 minutes
– often under local anesthesia or sedation.

Intermediate procedures
(e.g., nasal plastics, aesthetic-functional corrections):
– 1.5-3 hours,
orthognathic operations of the jaw and mandible, reconstructive procedures):
– 3-6 hours,

Some procedures are performed on a same-day basis, while others require a short stay at the clinic.

Yes – in many cases it is possible to combine several facial surgery procedures during one operation, but this is always decided by the doctor after a thorough qualification. Combining procedures only makes sense if it is safe, medically justified and beneficial to the patient.

Initially there is swelling and bruising, which gradually subsides over the following weeks.

Most often from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the treatment and individual predisposition.

Usually after 7-14 days, with medical advice.

In most facial surgery procedures, scars are minimal or virtually invisible because techniques are used to hide and reduce them as much as possible.

The first effects are visible after the swelling subsides, usually after a few weeks.

The final effect is assessed after several months, when the tissues have fully healed.

The effects are long-lasting, but aging processes occur naturally and progress over time.