Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
1860 Town Center Drive
250
Reston, VA 20190
More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Give Yourself a Lift
Considered in the past to be a procedure reserved for celebrities and movie stars, the facelift (rhytidectomy) is now one of the most popular and accepted cosmetic procedures in the United States. Although facelifts do not correct crows feet, forehead wrinkles, or bags under your eyes, they are effective in providing an overall lift to the neck and lower third of your face by tightening the skin in the jowls, neck, and jaw line.
The actual procedure has evolved over the decades, but great advances have been made during the past eight years, making the procedure less-invasive, with less down time and more natural results. These advances have led to the popularity of mini-facelifts (also called S-lifts, quick lifts, MACS lifts, delta lifts, etc.).
The mini facelift is a quicker operation than the traditional facelift, with fewer complications and much less down time. Although the mini- facelift carries different names (based on the technique that is used during the procedure), the end result is an overall lift to the neck and lower third of the face, getting rid of bothersome excess neck or facial skin.
The procedure can be done in a doctors office under local anesthesia (which is the most convenient for both the patient and doctor) or in an outpatient ambulatory center under general anesthesia. A sedative is sometimes given prior to the procedure to further relax the patient. Each side of the face is operated on separately. An incision is made in the forward area of the ear, and while the skin is lifted, the doctor tightens and repositions the muscles and tissues on the interior, and also removes any excess fat. The incision is then closed using fine sutures that are removed within a week.
A mini facelift within a doctors office usually takes between 1-1.5 hours under local anesthesia. There are very few complications with the surgery
No facial nerve palsy has been reported
The procedure can be repeated
Very little down time (usually less than a week)
Very few hematomas
Very few cases of infection
Very few skin necroses
Most patients are completely satisfied after the mini-facelift, stating that they look years younger and simply look great. The results of the procedure do not last as long as a traditional facelift, typically between three to five years, based on the overall health and fitness of the patient.
Have a busy schedule? Cant take a lot oftime away from work? Afraid of complications?
Consider the mini-facelift it might just be the “lift” that you need.
