Dr. Jānis Gīlis is a plastic surgeon with 40 years of experience. The J. Gīlis plastic surgery clinic founded by him is recognized and appreciated by clients and occupies a solid place in the field of plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine. The doctor admits that most of the patients who come to him are highly motivated and for whom this is important. They are ready to cooperate both pre- and post-operatively, thus the work culminates in good results and happy patients.

Jānis Gīlis

"It gives me satisfaction that I can significantly improve the quality of life of patients with my work, knowledge and skills. It's nice to see happy, beautiful and grateful people," says Dr. The auger.

In the conversation with the doctor, we talked about face lifting - how to prepare for it, what effect can be achieved and what is the postoperative period, as well as - how long before the wedding is best to do it.

How can we lift the facial area?

The first sign that the aging process of the skin has begun is the small wrinkles around the eyes, or the so-called crow's feet. The next furrows appear on the forehead - furrows of wonder. Then the simplest method is botulinum toxin injection, the effect of which lasts for 6-8 months. If such an important life event as the bridal period is planned, it should not be the first injection in life. It is better that the injection has been made in advance and it is known how the mimicry will change. In no case should the injection be done if there are less than two weeks left until the important event. Statistics show that two out of a hundred may have marked bruising at the injection site. Small dots can be masked, but if the bruise is large, it is difficult to do, but between the 7th and 14th day the bruises disappear. So injections should be done on time.

If the contours of the lips have become or are less pronounced over time, they are lifted with fillers, making the lips fuller.

The next method is hardware technology - radio frequency, ultrasound, cryotherapy, lasers, which can tighten the skin a little and make it firmer.

But if you decide to entrust yourself to a surgeon, it should be done no less than a couple of months before the wedding.

Is the forehead also lifted during face lifting?

Botulinum toxin injections to good forehead anatomy are the gold standard, with which many women live for decades and surgery is not necessary. On the other hand, with a facelift, we can lift the middle part of the face, which creates bulldog folds, deep nasolabial and marionette grooves and pronounced wrinkles in the neck. We can give a straight contour, reduce a double chin or neck fat.

Two months before the important event, surgical manipulations should not be performed.

How is the recovery? How do women feel?

The face is initially swollen due to edema, there may be bruises, hemorrhages, which affect emotional well-being. Gradually, during the first week, the swelling starts to decrease and the bruising disappears. We recommend wearing a postoperative bandage for the first two weeks, and then you can return to your normal life.

What is the achievable effect and how long does it last?

Women after the age of 50 say that when they compare themselves in photographs, it is as if they have returned seven or ten years ago. They are happy. The next time you come back to fix something is in about ten years.

Are there any concerns, how to prolong this effect?

Care includes what the beautician can recommend to the particular person. It is important not to sunbathe in the sun without sun protection creams, not to smoke and not to be in the presence of smokers.

What do you need to know about preparing for a facelift procedure?

Lymphatic drainage and massage procedures that improve blood supply to the face can be beneficial, as well as improving lymph flow in the postoperative period. The rest depends on the skin type - appropriate cosmetics should be used. Food, lifestyle, a good night's sleep and little stress - all this improves the quality of the skin.

There is also a psychologist at your clinic. At what point is the psychologist present?

It is mostly the patient's own choice; there are cases when we recommend it - if a person is not really sure of the correctness of his step, so that the decision about the operation is not made hastily. The second group for whom counseling would be recommended are people for whom peers or a spouse are the ones pushing for surgery, although during the conversation we understand that it is not important and necessary for the patient himself.

You started working in plastic surgery at a very young age. How did you come up with this idea?

The lucky chance – to be at the right time and in the right place. During the years of study, we three young aspirants had prepared ourselves to be good professionals in the field of microsurgery, capable of suturing very delicate blood vessels, so our knowledge, practice and skills were very useful. It was exactly 40 years ago that the Latvian Microsurgery Center, which deals with such delicate operations, was to be opened. We were offered a job there. It was only after 1992 that I founded my own private clinic in parallel with my government work and began to provide services in the field of medical aesthetics.

Text: Ieva Simanovića