All 79 Clinics that provide Facelift in Thailand

Wrinkles, dropping jowls, and slackening of skin are all results of aging and exposure to the sun. Facelift is most effective for removing sag from under the chin and wrinkles from the cheeks.

The procedure is most successful for healthy individuals with good remaining skin elasticity, though improvements can be made in most people. A facelift can erase signs of aging from the face creating a tighter, firmer and more youthful look.

Procedure

Usually it's performed under a local anaesthetic. Incisions start at the temples and run down the hairline, in front of the ear, continuing backwards into the lower scalp. These incisions allow the surgeon access to the skin of the face and neck, which is lifted from the underlying tissue. Fat is removed and muscles and tendons strengthened depending on the patient and the desired result. The skin is resettled over the adjusted fat and muscle and excess skin removed at the incision edges.

Length

The procedure varies depending on the individual and the work that is required: a standard length for the operation is from 2 to 3 hours.

Recovery

Facelifts are often extensive operations. Following the procedure there may be considerable discomfort and swelling for a few days, with tubes being left in place to aid drainage from the areas operated upon. Bandages may remain in place for 1 week, during this time the head should be kept elevated, as much as possible, to reduce inflammation and swelling. Stitches are usually removed at the end of the first week. Most swelling and discomfort will have subsided after 2 weeks to a month. Full recovery to normal feeling may take up to 6 months.

Risks

After surgery blood may gather in areas operated upon though these can be drained subsequently. There is a danger of damage to the nerves of the face causing loss of feeling: such damage is usually only temporary. Infection is a risk as it is with all invasive surgery.

A guide to plastic surgery regulations in Thailand

Organizations

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the overall direction of healthcare in Thailand. This includes the creation of a comprehensive hospital accreditation system.

Registration of all doctors qualified to practice within the country is the responsibility of the Thai Medical Council.

The Thai Medical Association is the main professional society representing the interests of the medical profession in Thailand. Plastic Surgeons should be registered with The Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand.

Education

Thai doctors train for 5 or 6 years before qualifying as a Doctor of Medicine. Graduates of the state medical schools are then required to spend 3 years as medical interns in a state hospital.

Thailand has 45 recognized medical specialties of which plastic surgery is one. Specialist qualification for plastic surgery follows qualification at General Surgery and requires 2/3 years of training in addition to the 3 years surgical specialisation.

Medical Council of Thailand has created a Center for Continuing Medical Education to promote professional development among the country's physicians.

Complaints

Disagreements with specific doctors should be addressed to the Thai Medical Council. Institutions approved or accredited by the Ministry of Health may be disciplined by the Ministry, with the Ministry having the ability to remove the right to provide care.

Cases involving criminal malpractice may be addressed directly to the civil courts. There is a Patient Bill of Rights in Thailand and any violation of this bill is grounds for public complaint.

Storage and Access to Medical Records

Thai doctors have an ethical obligation to protect the personal information of their patients.

Resources

Ministry of Health
email: eng-webmaster@health.moph.go.th
website: http://eng.moph.go.th/ (limited English content)

Thai Medical Council
website: http://www.mat.or.th/ (Thai language only)

Thai Medical Association
tel: +66 2 314 4333
email: http://wonchats@bma-gap.or.th
website: http://medassocthai.org/ (currently redirects to the Thai Medical Council site)

The Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand
Royal Golden Jubilee Building.(9th floor).
2 soi Soonvijai. New Petchburi Road,
Bangkok 10320. Thailand.
tel +66 2 716 6214
email: webmaster@plasticsurgery.or.th website: http://www.plasticsurgery.or.th/eng/
verify members: http://www.plasticsurgery.or.th/eng/find.html

The biggest choice of facelift clinics in Thailand with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best facelift for you in Thailand.