Temporal Lift in Turkey, the process, the healing, and what I wish I’d known

The temporal lift is the smallest of the facial lifts: it raises the temple area and with it the outer third of the eyebrow. That opens the eye and lifts the outer lid, without changing the forehead. For the right patient it has the best ratio of effort to effect.

What a temporal lift is

Through a short incision behind the hairline in the temple, the tissue is released and lifted upwards and outwards. The outer third of the brow rises, crow's feet soften slightly and the eye looks more open.

Often combined with upper eyelid surgery, together the effect is considerably greater than either alone.

Who it suits, and who it doesn’t

Suitable for a dropped outer brow, a heavy outer upper lid, a tired expression with an otherwise firm face, usually between the late thirties and mid-fifties.

Not: when the whole brow or forehead has dropped, then a brow lift; when cheeks and jawline have given way, then a facelift; with very thin hair in the incision area; with nicotine.

Temporal lift, brow lift or eyelid surgery?

• Temporal lift, when only the outer third of the brow has dropped and the eye looks heavy on the outside.
• Brow lift, when the whole brow sits low or the forehead shows lines from constantly raising it.
• Upper eyelid surgery, when there really is excess skin at the lid and the brow sits normally.
• Combination, the commonest in practice: temporal lift plus upper eyelid surgery.

You can tell the difference yourself: in the mirror, lift only the outer end of your brow slightly. If the eye then looks more open, a temporal lift is the right procedure.

Honest about the trip

For a temporal lift alone the effort of a trip to Turkey rarely justifies itself. Combined with eyelid surgery, fat transfer or a facelift it's different. I'll tell you that in conversation.

The right time

• When the eye looks heavy on the outside but the forehead is still smooth.
• Smoke-free for several weeks before and after.
• Two weeks arranged with no important engagements.
• With thin hair at the temples, discuss the scar beforehand.

The process in Turkey

Healing week by week

The part clinic websites cover in one sentence, and the most important.

Risks

General surgical risks: bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, blood clots (DVT and pulmonary embolism), anaesthetic complications. Procedure-specific: brow asymmetry, scalp numbness, hair loss at incisions, injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve with temporary movement problems, visible scar with thin hair, relapse within a few years.

Two risks are particular to going abroad: combining several procedures under one long anaesthetic, and the flight home. Both belong in the surgeon’s consultation, not the quote. In full: Cosmetic surgery abroad.

Aftercare at home

Before you travel we sort out: who removes the stitches; which practice near you is willing to see you if something isn't right; which documents you bring home, operation report, material details, medication list; who you can reach at night. And we talk about what the NHS or HSE will and won't do after an elective procedure abroad: emergency care yes, corrections no.

What that looks like for women from the UK and Ireland is on the country pages.

What a quote should contain

I give no prices here. Not because I don’t know them, but because any figure without an examination is misleading, and because this site also serves countries where price advertising for cosmetic surgery is restricted. A reputable quote for a temporal lift is itemised by surgeon, anaesthetic, hospital stay, materials and aftercare, and it states what isn’t included. When two quotes differ widely, it’s almost always the surgeon’s experience, the materials, the hospital or the length of stay. I’ll walk you through the clinic’s actual quote line by line.

Common questions

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This text does not replace a surgeon’s consent conversation. Timings are typical courses, not promises; yours may differ. Ivy Beside deliberately gives no prices and names no surgeons.