Last fact-checked: 9 July 2020

Does your face look older than you feel? If those “miracle” beauty serums aren’t working anymore (if they ever even did), maybe it’s time to take more drastic action with a facelift in Thailand. 

For those not familiar with the advantages of medical tourism, this may seem like a rather far-fetched idea. However, with the chance to save thousands (even after factoring in all travel expenses), a facelift in Thailand—one of the leading cosmetic surgery destinations in the world—is a viable option that thousands of foreign patients are undertaking each year.    

With Medical Departures, you can book a free appointment with one of our quality-checked surgeons at some of the best medical facilities on the planet. And let’s not forget that Thailand is an amazing destination for a holiday (before your surgery). 

What Actually Is a Facelift? 

A facelift, or rhytidectomy to give it its medical terminology, targets sagging in the middle of the face and loss of muscle tone that creates jowls—that loose skin that forms around the lower jaw and under the chin.

Rejuvenating your face can give you a whole new lease of life, improve your self-confidence and change how others respond to you. However, the decision to have a facelift is a personal one and you will want to assess whether your expectations are realistic and your goals achievable.

Thailand is one of the world’s leading medical tourism destinations. Thousands of people successfully undergo all sorts of medical procedures here every year, drawn by the expertise, standards of the hospitals/clinics and, of course, the tantalizingly affordable prices.

Facilities here rank high in comparison with other countries, including those in Australia/New Zealand, Europe and the US/Canada. Thailand was the first country in Asia to have one of its hospitals affiliated with the Joint Commission International, a prestigious organization that measures quality standards and patient standards in the international community. Today, the country boasts over 40 JCI-accredited hospitals. 

Some of the facilities here are more akin to boutique hotels—with luxurious décor, room service and on-site cafes and restaurants. This is all designed to help patients feel relaxed and pampered, which is part of the everyday service for the millions of middle to high-spending tourists who visit Thailand each year. 

Medical training in Thailand is competitive and extensive. It entails six years at medical school, after which graduates must undertake a two or three-year internship away from the larger cities. To become a specialist, they have eight or nine years of experience before they can apply for a residency program. In the US, this is eight years, so the Thai system actually may take a little longer.

Thailand has some fantastic destinations to discover, so why not treat yourself to a holiday before undergoing surgery? You can also rest up affordably post-treatment at a lodging that won't break the bank. Either way, you will still end up saving a substantial amount of money over what you would expect to pay at home.

What Does the Procedure for a Facelift Entail and How Long Does it Take?

Procedures for facelifts can differ depending on the results you hope to achieve. 

Usually, incisions are made at the temples, slightly above the hairline, extending just in front of the ear and down behind the earlobe. If you are having work on the neck, a small incision is made under the chin. The fat is then separated from the muscle and suctioned or trimmed to improve contour. The muscles and skin are then tightened, excess skin removed and stitches are used to close the incisions and secure the facial tissue.

A temporary drain may be inserted to allow fluid to be drawn away from the area and bandages used to help minimize swelling and bruising.

The surgery usually lasts between one and two hours per area.

This all depends on whether you are having a full or mini facelift, but prices are generally around AUD $20,000 in Australia, compared to around AUD $10,000 in Thailand for a full facelift. 

Mini lifts are considerably less expensive, typically costing less than half the price of a full lift.

Get started by checking out three of our most highly-rated facilities in Thailand for facelifts and save over 50% when booking with Medical Departures:

-Yanhee Hospital Health & Beauty

-MAXi Cosmetic Surgery

-Meko IVF Clinic

See our full list of background-checked clinics and hospitals here.

If you're ready to book a facelift in Thailand, follow the links below, or get in touch with our Customer Care Team if you'd like to chat about your options.

Sources:

Facelift Surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift

Global Top 20 Medical Tourism Destinations 2019: Current and Potential Opportunities, Inbound Numbers by Country and Revenue. PR Newswire. 2020. 
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-top-20-medical-tourism-destinations-2019-current-and-potential-opportunities-inbound-numbers-by-country-and-revenue-300945568.html

Joint Commission International. Website accessed: 19 January 2020. 
https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/

Millionaire Island-Hopper: 11 Of Thailand’s Most Luxurious Resorts. What’s on Sukhumvit. 17 March 2017. 
https://whatsonsukhumvit.com/millionaire-island-hopper-11-of-thailands-most-luxurious-resorts/

Face-lift. Mayo Clinic. 29 August 2018.  
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059