Prof. Dr. Özcan Çakmak is a specialist in Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery as well as Oral, Maxillofacial and Facial Surgery. He holds European and international qualifications in facial plastic surgery and has devoted much of his surgical practice to the treatment of facial aging.
His principal areas of interest include deep plane facelift, modified composite plane facelift, neck lift, deep neck contouring, endoscopic brow lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, endoscopic midface lift, upper lip lift and rhinoplasty.
Rather than applying the same procedure to every patient, treatment planning is based on facial anatomy, soft-tissue changes, skin quality, proportions and individual aesthetic goals.
A Specialized Approach to Facial Rejuvenation
Facial aging is not simply a problem of loose skin. Changes occur in the skin, facial fat compartments, retaining ligaments, muscles and deeper anatomical structures.
Modern facelift surgery therefore focuses on restoring youthful relationships between these structures rather than simply pulling the skin tighter.
Prof. Dr. Çakmak has a particular interest in combining deep plane facelift techniques with extended neck dissection and deep neck contouring. His official biography also identifies the Modified Composite Plane Facelift and Extended Neck Dissection technique as his preferred approach.
Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift is an advanced facial rejuvenation technique designed to reposition deeper facial soft tissues rather than relying primarily on skin tightening.
Release of selected retaining ligaments allows displaced midface and cheek tissues to be repositioned more comprehensively. This can improve cheek projection, soften the appearance of the nasolabial region and create a more harmonious transition between the midface, lower face and neck.
Modified Composite Plane Facelift
Prof. Dr. Çakmak’s approach incorporates principles of deep plane surgery with a modified composite flap technique. The lower portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle can be incorporated into the composite flap, allowing the malar soft tissues to be repositioned as part of a broader rejuvenation strategy.
The face and neck are considered together when appropriate. Extended neck dissection, platysma repositioning and deep neck contouring may be combined according to the patient’s anatomy.
The objective is not an excessively tight or operated appearance. The aim is to restore younger facial contours while preserving the patient’s individual facial characteristics.
Deep Neck Contouring
Deep neck contouring addresses anatomical structures beneath the platysma that can contribute to an indistinct jawline or a full neck.
Depending on the individual anatomy, structures such as subplatysmal fat, prominent digastric muscles and selected portions of the submandibular glands may be considered during surgical planning.
Not every patient requires treatment of all these structures. The procedure is tailored to the anatomical causes contributing to the patient’s neck contour.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid surgery can address lower eyelid bags, orbital fat displacement, tear-trough deformity, excess skin and the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek.
Transconjunctival Approach
The incision is made inside the lower eyelid, avoiding an external skin scar. This approach can be suitable for selected patients with prominent orbital fat but limited skin excess.
Subciliary Approach
A fine incision is placed just beneath the lower eyelashes. This approach provides access for treatment of excess skin and selected muscle and soft-tissue changes.
Orbital fat can also be repositioned toward the infraorbital rim when appropriate, helping create a smoother transition between the lower eyelid and cheek.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery can address excess skin and selected changes in the upper eyelid soft tissues.
Assessment of the eyebrow is important before surgery because brow descent can contribute significantly to upper eyelid heaviness. In selected patients, brow lifting and upper blepharoplasty may therefore be combined.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
Endoscopic brow lifting is a minimally invasive procedure designed to elevate the eyebrows and rejuvenate the forehead.
Small incisions are placed within the scalp. An endoscope provides visualization of the deeper forehead tissues, allowing selected attachments to be released and the brow and forehead tissues to be repositioned.
Endoscopic Midface Lift
An endoscopic midface lift focuses on the cheek and midface region between the lower eyelid and upper lip.
The procedure aims to reposition descended cheek tissues, improve midface projection and create a smoother lower eyelid-to-cheek transition.
Small temporal scalp incisions are used to access the deeper tissues, which are then elevated and secured in a higher position.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty can address both aesthetic and structural aspects of the nose.
Treatment may involve the nasal bridge, nasal tip, width, asymmetry and other structural characteristics while maintaining or improving nasal function where appropriate.
Open Rhinoplasty
Open rhinoplasty uses a small incision in the columella and provides direct visualization of the nasal framework.
Closed Rhinoplasty
In closed rhinoplasty, the incisions are placed inside the nostrils, leaving no external skin incision.
In complex or revision cases, additional cartilage from the septum, ear or rib may sometimes be required for structural support.
Upper Lip Lift
An upper lip lift shortens the vertical distance between the nose and upper lip rather than simply adding lip volume.
The procedure can improve the visible vermilion, define the upper lip and increase upper tooth show in appropriately selected patients.
A bullhorn-shaped incision is typically placed beneath the nose so that the resulting scar can be concealed within the natural anatomy.
Recovery After Facial Surgery
Recovery depends on the specific operation and individual healing characteristics.
Swelling and bruising usually improve progressively during the first one to two weeks after many facial procedures, while subtle swelling and tissue remodeling may continue for several months.
Patients should follow the individual postoperative instructions provided by their surgeon regarding exercise, makeup, sun exposure, wound care and return to work.
Scarring
No surgical procedure is completely scar-free. However, facial plastic surgery incisions are planned in natural creases, the hair-bearing scalp or other locations where scars can be concealed as much as possible.
The final appearance of a scar develops gradually and can continue to improve over time.
Individualized Facial Rejuvenation
There is no single facelift technique that is appropriate for every patient.
Facial structure, skin elasticity, fat distribution, bone anatomy, degree of tissue descent and the patient’s aesthetic goals all influence surgical planning.
Prof. Dr. Çakmak’s approach emphasizes anatomical assessment and individualized treatment planning, with the face and neck considered as an integrated aesthetic unit when appropriate.
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