
Rise of patchwork facelift techniques that leave patients with eye-watering stitches - as surgeons say painful-looking method heals FASTER
Patchwork-style facelifts, in which people are sewn up in intricate patterns, leave patients looking like something out of a horror film - but according to experts, such methods are extremely effective and significantly reduce recovery time.
One such procedure, the Firat facelift, has come to prominence since 90 Day Fiancé star Shekinah Garner, 43, showed off the results of her own surgery, sharing a video on Instagram in which she revealed she'd undergone a lower blepharoplasty as well as the lift - reportedly her third facelift in total, and what is believed to be her first Firat lift.
The clip left viewers reeling as it showed the enormous facial stitches left over from her surgery in all their gory detail.
She shared footage of her face in bandages, which were gradually removed to reveal large stitches, swelling and bruising on her face.
While it is to be expected that a major operation like a facelift will leave patients with some initial stitches and swelling, those used in this style of procedure - which also includes the hemostatic net facelift - are enough to make even the most hardened cosmetic surgery fan wince.
However, experts claim the technique - which started to emerge around a decade ago - is revolutionising recovery and reducing the risk of post-op bleeding.
The unsettling post-surgery look is created by a crisscross of fine threads, forming a tight 'net' over the patient's face, which will usually be swollen and bruised from surgery.
The effect is undeniably graphic, prompting some to make comparisons to horror film characters such as Hellraiser.
But according to plastic surgeon Ms Monica Fawzy, who performs hemostatic net facelifts at The Private Clinic, Harley Street, London, there's a very good reason for using this method.
The hemostatic net works by applying consistent pressure across the face which helps minimise internal bleeding, reduce bruising, and speed up healing.
In fact Ms Fawzy, who has over 20 years of experience in facial surgery, claims this method 'decreases complication risks' and also offers patients one of the most effective facelift recovery methods to date.
She said: 'This [method] involves quilting sutures in the area where the skin has been lifted (rather than areas where the lift occurs in the deeper plane).
'It ensures that the skin is firmly re-opposed to the underlying structures.
'It was initially applied in the facelift setting by a Brazilian surgeon called Andre Auersvald to minimise a potential complication called a haematoma (collection of blood under the skin).
'It has been consequently taken up by a large proportion of facelift surgeons and found to have other advantages such as minimising a potential collection of tissue fluid under the skin (seroma), as well as helping to re-drape the skin in certain cases.'
The plastic surgeon revealed that patients only look this way for 'a couple of days' and can be covered up if it makes some feel queasy.
She added: 'It will generally be removed in a couple of days anyway so it is short- lived.
'I tend to cover the areas with surgical tape to prevent any potential patient anxiety,' she explained, adding that she always explains the process to patients ahead of performing the procedure.
'The appearance of the sutures depends on the extent of the area involved and the surgeon's approach.
'For example, I tend to apply it in a limited fashion - as I believe it gives the best of both worlds (decreased complication risk, whilst avoiding over extensive suturing as you may sometimes see online).'
When it comes to plastic surgery, techniques are always being tweaked and updated in an effort to improve results and minimise risks.
And whatever method used, the facelift, described by the Mayo Clinic, as a 'cosmetic surgical procedure to create a younger look in the face', is a significant operation.
The Mayo Clinic's website states: 'The procedure can reduce sagging skin. It can also help smooth folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline. A facelift is also called a rhytidectomy.
Following her appearing on the reality show, Shekinah showed off a very different look while attending the Us Weekly and Pluto TV's 2024 Reality TV Stars Of The Year awards in October 2024 - before getting her Firat facelift, but after reportedly having two previous lifts and other procedures including fillers
'During a facelift, a flap of skin on each side of the face is pulled back. Tissues below the skin are altered, and excess skin is removed. This gives the face a more youthful shape.'
Speaking in a YouTube video, double board certified plastic surgeon Dr Gary Linkov explained: 'The term facelift is kind of a misnomer in that it's not that you're lifting the entire face.
'It's generally addressing the lower face, the neck area and sometimes the mid face, but it does not refer to lifting the brows, which is the upper face, and so that is a separate procedure.'
He added that there are a number of different types of facelifts, from the so-called 'mini facelift' to the 'deep plane lift'.
And so the Hemostatic Net lift, and similar procedures which involve wrapping the face in a web-like pattern of stitches, are simply new additions to the list of existing styles of face lifts.
90 Day Fiancé star Shekinah Garner's surgery was carried out by surgeon Dr Mirza Firat, who calls his technique the Firat Facelift, and says he developed the specific method he uses.
Speaking about the procedure in a video on Instagram, Dr Firat, who is based in Turkey, said: 'The Firat Facelift is a surgery for facial beautification and rejuvenation. Why I coined it with my name is because I developed the technique on my own.'
He went onto say that the goal of the surgery is to 'perform the surgery endoscopically through hidden incisions'.
The surgeon continued: 'The difference from the traditional deep plane facelift is that I'm performing the procedure through hidden incisions like [in the] temporal scalp, or behind the ear, and performing a deep dissection of the forehead and temple, the mid face, and in more severe patients, in the lateral cheek to lift everything vertically.
'This is the way we treat aging signs like nasolabial folds and jowls more effectively.'
However, as with any procedure, there are differing opinions, and US-based surgeon Michael Somenek spoke about why he is not convinced about the method on a post on Instagram.
He wrote: 'Hemostatic nets. They are a real thing but here's the deal!
'They are used by surgeons throughout the world to minimize the risk of prolonged swelling and postoperative hematoma formation after various surgeries, such as facelift and brow lift.
'The idea is that it compresses the space between the tissues, and minimizes the risk of the above complications. However, certain studies claim that their values are statistically significant at reducing the overall incident of hematoma.
'The reduction is about a two to three per cent reduction, which out of 100 people that is only about two or three people when you put it into perspective.
'For those reasons, I really can't justify the need for this in my practice when performing deep plane facelift, nor am I convinced that my patients would really be up or open for this.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
24 minutes ago
- Metro
Ellie Goulding, 38, jets off on romantic summer holiday with actor lover, 28
Ellie Goulding is heating up the summer as she shared a string of sultry bikini snaps from a lavish holiday in Italy, fresh off the rumoured reveal of her new romance. The 38-year-old singer left fans swooning with a series of Instagram photos posted Thursday, showing off her gym-honed figure and golden tan while soaking up the Mediterranean sun with her new beau, US actor Beau Minniear, 28. The photo dump included Ellie posing in bathing suits, catching rays with a book in hand, and later switching to a green two-piece. In another shot, the pop star cradled a coconut while modelling a Fenty bikini, before turning up the glam with polished mirror selfies and breezy summer daywear. She captioned the carousel simply: 'Carbs.' The sun-soaked snaps come just days after Goulding reportedly made her new relationship with actor Beau Minniear public. According to The Sun, the pair debuted their romance during a high-profile night out at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, attending the heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. It marks Ellie's first known romance since a brief fling with 29-year-old surf instructor Armando Perez, following her split f from husband Caspar Jopling, 33, with whom she shares four-year-old son Arthur. Ellie and Jopling, an art dealer, quietly separated last year after five years of marriage. Ellie told fans she had been left with 'no choice' but to publicly announce that they had been separated for 'some time.' 'In light of recent stories, I feel I have been left with no choice but to let you all know that Caspar and I privately separated some time ago,' she wrote at the time. 'We remain the closest of friends and have been successfully co-parenting with our son's best interests at heart.' Rumours of a spark between Ellie and Beau began swirling earlier this month after she shared a since-deleted TikTok video showing her stroking a mystery man's arm. More Trending Eagle-eyed fans matched the watch he was wearing to one Beau frequently sports in his own Instagram posts. Both also posted images from the same luxe hotel in Florence, further fuelling speculation. A source told The Sun: 'Ellie is into Beau and they have a lot of shared interests like exercise and art. They've been having fun together and they certainly make for an attractive couple.' Minniear has appeared in a handful of TV and film roles in the US, including Night at the Eagle Inn (2021), The Thieves of Motor City, and Bad Haircut. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.


Metro
24 minutes ago
- Metro
Upgrade your specs with Olivia Attwood's curated collection of frames at Boots
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Move over handbags and shoes because glasses are officially the new must-have fashion accessory for 2025. According to new research, 40% of Brits see eyewear as the ultimate style statement but many of us have a difficult time choosing the right frames. Enter Boots Opticians who have joined forces with TV personality Olivia Attwood Dack to help glasses wearers feel confident and stylish in their frames. For years, glasses were labelled as 'geeky' or purely practical but those days are long gone. With the rise of designer frames and high-profile celebs proudly sporting specs on red carpets, eyewear is now seen as the ultimate fashion statement. For the collaboration, Olivia, who has become known for her stylish glasses, has handpicked six stylish frames for a curated 'Olivia's Style Picks' collection. Featuring a range of styles, from sleek Gucci metallic wire frames to chunky Saint Laurent sunglasses and edgy All Saints cat-eyes, there's something to suit everyone. The reality star has been wearing glasses since her teens and has always been very pro specs. 'A chic pair of glasses is the ultimate fashion accessory,' she says. 'They're often the first thing people notice, and they have the power to really change your look.' 'I love mixing and matching my frames to enhance different outfits. That's why I'm so excited to be working with Boots Opticians – to help people find the perfect frames for them, and for people to enjoy wearing glasses as much as I do.' More Trending For many, choosing which glasses to go for can be difficult, in fact, research from Boots Opticians shows that over half (52%) of glasses wearers find choosing glasses a daunting experience and 39% of people don't feel confident choosing glasses. But, Boots Opticians has got that covered with their expert in-store Eyewear Stylists who are trained to give personalised advice. Whether it's matching frames to your face shape, skin tone or personal style, they're there to figure out which frames are the ones for you. So next time you need specs, make it a style moment and let Boots help you find the right pair. To find out more or take a look at Boots Opticians' entire range of glasses, includ0ing Olivia's Picks, visit or in store and get the perfect pair for you. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: Stock up on all your holiday essentials for less, thanks to the Boots Big Summer Sale MORE: Boots expands its £3 Glossy Lip Balm collection to rival Summer Fridays MORE: One P. Louise skincare base is sold every minute – and it's your multitasking beauty essential


Daily Record
24 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Yungblud's pledge to Ozzy Osbourne as he pays huge credit to late star
Ozzy Osbourne's death at the age of 76 earlier this week has left an outpouring of mourning, especially across the music world. Yungblud has pledged to perform Ozzy Osbourne 's Changes "every night for the rest of my life" in a heartfelt tribute to the late rock legend. The music star was left heartbroken following the death of the Black Sabbath icon. The music icon passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76. Ozzy's passing came just two weeks after his massive Back To The Beginning reunion gig in Birmingham. It marked the Prince of Darkness final live performance. During the concert at Villa Park, Yungblud delivered a rendition of Black Sabbath's Changes and has since released it as a single to raise funds for charity. And now, he's promised to sing it each night in memory of his late pal. Taking to Instagram, Yungblud expressed his heartbreak over losing his idol, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. He penned: "I'm trying to compute the last couple days and honestly I'm absolutely f****** shattered. You have been my North Star for everything for as long as I can remember from when I was misunderstood as a child to the way people thought I was just a little 'too much' or 'strange' in my life and career. "I owe so much to you, your wife and your family - you all gave me a road to run down and supported me when people would turn their nose up. You loved life so much and you adored music. It was your smile man. You taught me it was beautiful to be out of the box. "I promise you with all my heart I will try my best and make it my life's journey to keep the sprit that you started and what you have taught me alive. I will give it my best shot." He continued about his Changes rendition: "To sing this song for you at an event surrounded by legends inspired by you to a crowd that loved you was truly my life's greatest honour and I vow to play this song every night for the rest of my life. "You're my hero in every regard. I hope you're up there avin a drink with Randy [Ozzy's late guitarist Randy Rhoads]. For the prince of darkness you sure brought all the light to the world. I love you Ozzy." Yungblud's take on Changes, which was captured at the Black Sabbath reunion gig at Villa Park on July 5, has now been made available to generate funds for charities including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorns Children's Hospice. The artist revealed about the launch: "This was hands down the biggest moment of my entire life. I got to stand on stage and honour one of my heroes, and the fact that it has touched so many is truly overwhelming .. "The best part about this release is that we can take such a monumental moment, immortalise it on tape, release it and donate all the money to such important causes in Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorns Children's Hospice. "This is what Rock and roll is about. Stream it, buy it, add it to your playlist - let's raise some f****** money."