For patients in South Africa

SMAS facelift in Turkey from South Africa: what it does and who it suits

A SMAS facelift lifts the layer of muscle and connective tissue beneath the skin, rather than pulling on the skin alone, to treat sagging cheeks, jowls and a softened jawline. Our facelift guide for South Africans covers the trip in general. This page covers the SMAS technique itself and how it compares.

What a SMAS facelift does

SMAS stands for superficial musculoaponeurotic system, the firm layer that sits between the skin and the deeper structures of the face. In a SMAS facelift the surgeon lifts and repositions this layer, then trims the excess skin, so the lift is held by the tissue underneath rather than by tension on the skin.

• Mini facelift — smaller incisions and a shorter recovery for early jowls; less correction for marked sagging or an ageing neck (mini facelift guide)
• SMAS facelift — lifts and tightens the SMAS layer without fully releasing the deeper ligaments of the face
• Deep plane facelift — releases those ligaments, allowing more repositioning of the mid-face (deep plane facelift guide)

No particular look, symmetry or length of result can be guaranteed, because ageing, healing and weight change carry on after surgery. The technique is described in more detail on the SMAS facelift treatment page.

Who it suits

• People with sagging cheeks, jowls or a jawline that has lost definition
• People who want more change than non-surgical treatments can give
• People in good general health who do not smoke, or can stop before surgery

Photographs help with a first review but do not settle whether you are suitable. The surgeon assesses your health, medicines, smoking, anatomy and skin quality, and should discuss alternatives, including doing nothing. Our surgeons are board-certified; see our clinic facts page.

Adding other procedures

A SMAS facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, a brow lift, facial fat grafting or a lip lift. Each addition lengthens the operation and the stay, and the surgeon decides how much is safe in one sitting. Other options are listed in our face surgery guide for South Africans.

Planning the trip from South Africa

Direct flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town reach Istanbul in around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir. South Africans need an e-Visa; our e-Visa guide explains how to apply. After surgery you recover at Mandarin Grove, our recovery retreat. Return to work, exercise and permission to fly are decided for you individually, not from a set timetable, so book a return ticket you can change.

• Expect swelling, bruising, tightness and some numbness on the way home
• Ask for a written summary of the operation and your medicines to give your GP at home
• Tell us at the start about any history of blood clots, smoking or regular medication

Risks and aftercare

Risks include bleeding, haematoma, infection, seroma, scarring, hair loss, slow healing, asymmetry, altered sensation, nerve injury, anaesthetic complications, blood clots and revision surgery. Swelling, scars and sensation keep changing for months.

Follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call; İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa. For one year our treatment guarantee covers medical complications and any clinically necessary revision, but not a preference for a different look within what was discussed. Accepted cases are treated in İzmir at no charge; flights and accommodation are your own cost. See also our complaints procedure.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a technique before a surgeon has assessed you, we will not promise a result or how long it will last, and we will not operate if the surgeon judges a SMAS facelift is not right for you. A long flight is not a reason to add more procedures than the surgeon considers safe.

Frequently asked questions

Is a SMAS facelift the same as a deep plane facelift?

No. A SMAS facelift lifts and tightens the SMAS layer without fully releasing the deeper facial ligaments. A deep plane facelift releases them, which allows more repositioning of the mid-face. The surgeon recommends one after assessing you.

How long does a SMAS facelift take?

Usually three to five hours, depending on whether other facial procedures are carried out in the same operation.

How soon can I fly home to South Africa after a SMAS facelift?

The surgeon decides individually, not from a fixed timetable. Because the flight home takes around ten hours, book a return ticket you can change in case you are asked to stay longer.

What decides the cost of a SMAS facelift?

Mainly whether other procedures are added and how many nights you need. The price is confirmed in a written, itemised quotation after assessment, which should list what is included and what is not.

Will my medical aid cover a SMAS facelift?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic facial surgery done abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment. Ask your scheme and your insurer specifically before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.