Facelift Options: Comparing the Sluplift Mini Facelift to Other Facial Procedures
A Feather Lift (or Thread Lift) may be considered a non-surgical procedure intended to lift sagging facial skin without invasive surgery. A Thread Lift can also be used to adjust asymmetric brows. The procedure involves redraping of the skin and does not involve the disruption of the underlying muscles or tissue layers. The Feather Lift can be done under local anesthesia
Am I a candidate for a Feather Lift?
Feather Lift candidates are typically in their late 30’s to early 40’s who seek minimal improvements to treat sagging or laxity in the eye area, forehead, and nasiofold areas of the face.
What are disadvantages of the Feather Lift?
Complications may include appearance of lumps, puckering of the skin, or the visibility of the threads.
How long do results of the Feather Lift procedure last?
Most doctors estimate the Feather Lift procedure providing a maximum benefit for up to 5 years.
Mini Facelift New York City: Silhouette Lift
What is the Silhouette Lift?
Silhouette Lift is a mid-face lift that uses Silhouette Sutures to lift sagging tissue in the mid-face area. It can also be used to lift the jowl area, eyebrows and cheeks. Silhouette sutures are not cut (or barbed) sutures so there is no prickling sensation as with barbed suture threads. Silhouette sutures are much stronger and since they are hollow and round they will absorb completely over time and be less visible.
A small incision is made beyond the hairline of the temple area each side for the face lift and/or behind the ear for a neck lift. The Silhouette sutures are inserted using a long needle and are passed through the mid-face or upper neck. When pulled, the hollow cones anchor on the soft tissue to be lifted. After lifting the tissue to the desired height, the sutures are then fastened into the deep temporal fascia and reinforced with a non-absorbable mesh. Once the threads are in place the incision is closed with absorbable stitches and skin closure clips.
How long is the Silhouette Lift procedure?
The Silhouette Lift procedure takes about 1 hour.
Are the results of the Silhouette Lift Permanent?
Results of the Silhouette Lift are not permanent, but are instantaneous and last for about 3 years.
What kind of Anesthesia is used for the Silhouette Lift?
Silhouette Lift is performed under Local Anesthesia.
Who is a candidate for the Silhouette Mid-Face lift?
Typically anyone between the ages of 40 to 70 years old would be a good candidate for the Silhouette Lift. There must be obvious drooping of the mid-face soft tissues in order to be a good candidate for the Silhouette Lift and see optimum results.
What are the main advantages of the Silhouette Suture Lift over other methods?
- There are no barbs to cause discomfort and prickling sensations.
- The hollow cones of the Silhouette sutures allow for much stronger anchoring.
- It is much less invasive than a full facelift so there is less trauma and downtime.
Does the Silhouette Suture Lift replace a traditional facelift?
The Silhouette Suture Lift does not replace a traditional facelift, but it is a safe and viable alternative.
What should I expect after the Silhouette Lift procedure?
Following the Silhouette Lift, you should expect some discomfort, minor swelling (of which the majority settles in 2-3 days) and bruising.
Mini Facelift New York City: ThreadLift (variations include the “Feather Lift” and “Aptos Lift”)
The Thread Lift is a procedure that utilizes threads (either the Contour Thread or the Aptos Thread) to lift sagging eyes and lifting the tissues surrounding the cheeks. It is less effective for straightening the neck and jawline, supporting the marionette lines, but is sometimes used to treat those areas. A Thread Lift can also be used to adjust asymmetric brows. Barbs on one end of the thread grab and lift the sagging skin, and the teeth on the other end fasten the skin to the rest of the facial tissues.
Some doctors combine thread lifts with other procedures for a customized approach to facial rejuvenation. Thread Lift procedure can take from 1 to 2 hours to perform (depending on the number of threads required). There is no removal of excess skin (this is not a surgical procedure so excess skin is not removed)
Who is a candidate for the ThreadLift?
Ideal candidates for Thread Lifts include people who have minimal signs of aging, Women between 35 and 45, those who have had a relapse from a previous Plastic Surgery procedure such as a Facelift or a Necklift.
Where are ThreadLifts performed?
Threadlifts are often performed in an outpatient medical surgery center or hospital.
Is Anesthesia Required for the Thread Lift?
General Anesthesia is not required for the Thread Lift. Local Anesthesia is often used for the ThreadLift.
When can I resume normal activities following a Thread Lift?
Normal activities can usually be resumed within 7 days following the Thread Lift Procedure. Some bruising and swelling can be evident for approximately 4-7 days.
What are advantages of the ThreadLift?
No incisions or stitches are required. Outpatient procedure. Local anesthesia with or without intravenous sedation.
What are disadvantages of the ThreadLift?
- The Threadlift procedure only lifts the sagging skin, it does not lift the platysma muscle which also loosens as a result of aging.
- Threads may be tight at first.
- Threads can break.
- Threads dissolve over time.
- Threads can rise to the surface; thread can be visible under the skin.
- A significant risk of the thread lift procedure is that you may not notice any improvement.
- Fold of skin in front of the ear may be permanent.
- Rippling of the skin can occur.
- Threads can migrate (which may cause an imbalanced facial appearance).
- Most patients will experience some discomfort or pain to varying degrees from behind the ears initially
- There may be a small mark from the nick to the skin behind the ears where the suture is attached.
What is the average cost of a Thread Lift?
Average fees for a thread lift can range from $1,400 to $4,500. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that in 2005 the national average physician fee for thread lifts was $2,469..
Mini Facelift New York City: Lifestyle Lift (variations include “Mini-Lift”, “S-Lift”)
The Lifestyle Lift is a variation of the Mini-Lift procedure which incorporates not only skin redistribution and resection, but also repositions tissues beneath the skin, mainly in the muscle and fascial network This is sometimes referred to as the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System). It was designed exclusively for jowls, frown lines, wrinkles, loose neck (turkey neck) and facial skin.
The areas of concern to most patients are loose neck skin, jowls and loss of facial contour (facial flatness). The Lifestyle Lift is intended to correct these problems by removing unwanted fat, tightening the SMAS layer, repositioning the cheek fat pad and removing excess skin.
- The incision line is made along the temple hairline and continuing down around the front of your ear.
- The typical incision makes an “S” shape. Two strong, permanent, circular sutures are used to gather up and tighten the stretched muscles. The plastic surgeon will trim away excess skin. To tighten the neck area, the neck skin is pulled up and light liposuction is done if needed.
Who is a candidate for the Lifestyle Lift?
The Lifestyle Lift is most often conducted on people in their 50’s (range is from early 40’s to late 70’s) with minimal sagging skin.
How long is the Lifestyle Lift procedure?
The Lifestyle Lift procedure takes about 1 hour to perform. Although, the procedure time may increase if extra work is performed.
How long do the results of the Lifestyle Lift last?
Every patient is different; however, patients are told that with good care the results can last up to 10 years.
What type of Anesthesia is used during the Lifestyle Lift procedure?
The Lifestyle Lift procedure does not utilize General or IV Anesthetics.
What is the recovery time following the Lifestyle Lift?
Normal activity can be resumed within 4 to 7 days following the Lifestyle Lift.
What complications need to be considered when considering a Lifestyle Lift?
Complications from the Lifestyle Lift can include swelling, bruising, reaction to pain medication, or infection. Smokers or patients with hypertension have an increased risk of these complications.
What are some advantages of the Lifestyle Lift?
- The Lifestyle Lift is less invasive than the traditional facelift surgery.
- The Lifestyle Lift procedure is done under local sedation.
- Minimal discomfort is associated with the Lifestyle Lift.
What are some disadvantages of the Lifestyle Lift?
It involves an incision made along the temple hairline and continuing down around the entire front of your ear. A Lifestyle Lift may not be effective for extreme lift needs like deep facial folds or significant jowls and loose skin.
What is the average cost of the Lifestyle Lift?
A Lifestyle Lift typically costs around $4000 (the cost increases if more work is needed around the neck area).
Mini Facelift New York City: MACS-Lift (aka “Minimal Access Cranial Suspension-Lift” which is also a modification of the “S-Lift”)
The Minimal Access Cranial Suspension-Lift (MACS-Lift) was first described by Drs. Tonnard and Verpaele from Belgium in 2001. The MACS-Lift is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that aims to lift the lower face and neck. A MACS-Lift helps to remove excessive jowling around the chin, deep creases that appear between your nose and mouth, and restores the outline of the jaw
A small incision is made in the natural crease in front of the ear which is later sutured and heals to a barely detectable scar. Lower facial skin and muscles are tightened and loose, excess skin is removed. The MACS-Lift procedure is a mini-lift procedure with SMAS placation.
- The MACS-Lift is ideal for the patient with sagging of the cheeks and mid-face and early changes of neck.
- Complete results of the MACS-Lift may not be apparent for a few months since skin continues to tighten as it heals.
- The Incisions in the MACS-Lift are limited to the crease in front of the ears and the hairline above the ears.
- Patients are instructed to stop smoking 6 weeks prior to the MACS-Lift procedure.
- Makeup can be worn 5–7 days after the surgery depending on how quickly you heal.
Who is a candidate for the MACS-Lift procedure?
The ideal age group is between 40 to 60 years of age, and is suited to people whose neck and face has begun to sag, but they still have some elasticity in their skin.
In particular people who have deep lines that run from the corner of your mouth to your nose and chin, loss of a well defined jaw line, deep wrinkles and sagging skin near your cheek bones and loose skin or jowling in the neck.
How long is the MACS-Lift procedure?
The entire MACS-Lift procedure takes about two hours. Patients are allowed to go home and relax after the surgery.
How long is the recovery time following the MACS-Lift procedure?
The recovery time following the MACS-Lift is on average 3–7 days.
What should I expect following the MACS-Lift procedure?
- By the end of the first week your face will still be swollen. Dressings will be removed so you can shower and sutures will start to dissolve. You can wear make up to conceal any discoloration.
- By the end of the second week most of the bruising will have disappeared, sutures will have dissolved and you can start to think about resuming normal activities including non strenuous work.
- By one month you may resume exercise, your new face will start to settle. You may notice tingling as numbness around the ears subsides although numbness may persist for several months.
What is the cost of the MACS-Lift procedure?
Cost varies, but on average is it about 1/3 the cost of a traditional facelift.
What are some advantages of the MACS-Lift procedure?
- The MACS-Lift can be done under Local Anesthesia or IV sedation, eliminating the need to use General Anesthesia.
- The MACS-Lift utilizes smaller incisions with minimal bleeding. Since the area of skin freed from its underlying tissue is much smaller, the probability of post-operative bleeding and circulatory disturbances is also much smaller.
- The MACS-Lift results is less post-operative bruising, swelling, pain and scarring than traditional facelifting.
What are possible complications as a result of the MACS-Lift procedure?
Possible complications from the MACS-Lift procedure include occasional ecchymosis in the periorbital area, infection, hematoma, nerve damage, scar hypertrophy, bruising, puckering of the skin, and swelling.
How does the MACS-Lift differ from Conventional Facelifts?
The incision is limited to the skin hairline junction above the ear and anterior to the ear. There is no extension behind the ear. The area of undermining, unlike a conventional facelift, is much smaller and essentially involves a portion of the cheek. Because there is less undermining, the blood supply to the skin is much more robust and the technique is therefore safer in smokers. There is much less risk of any skin necrosis, unlike other lifts.
Mini Facelift New York City: S-Lift ( aka “Suture Lift”, “Soft-Lift”, “Quick Lift”, “Jawline Tuck”)
S-Lift is a surgical face lift technique that rejuvenates and beautifies the lower/mid face and neck by reversing changes that have occurred with aging. An incision is made along the front line of the ear (in the natural creases). There is no incision or hair loss behind the ear. The wound is meticulously repaired without tension on the skin, leaving an imperceptible scar.
- The S-Lift is performed under local anesthetic and oral sedation.
- The S-Lift involves elevation and permanent fixation of the SMAS and excess skin is removed.
- The “S” refers to the shape of the incision in front of the ear.
- The vectors of elevation for the S-Lift are different to the conventional facelift, giving a natural appearance. Common outcomes of conventional facelift, such “wind tunnel”, “mask face look” or “pixie ear” effects, are not possible with the S-Lift.
What is the recovery time associated with the S-Lift?
There is minimal bruising and swelling following an S-Lift, and most patients return to work within 7-10 days.
What are advantages of the S-Lift?
- As the S-Lift involves minimal dissection of the face, risk of permanent injury to facial nerve branches is practically eradicated.
- The S-Lift is performed under Local Anesthetic and oral sedation, so no risks associated with General Anesthetic or intravenous sedation.
- The incision in the S-Lift is only along the front line of the ear (in the natural creases). There is no incision or hair loss behind the ear in the S-Lift procedure.
- The S-Lift eliminates retro-auricular incision that can result in visible scarring, hairline distortion, and skin flap necrosis.
Mini Facelift New York City: Weekend Facelift (other variations include “Lunchtime Facelift”)
This is a relatively short procedure (takes about 1 hour) aimed at improving the area under the chin (“double chin”) and jaw line. It is done through only a one inch incision under the chin, and a chin implant is used when needed. A micro-liposuction of the jowls is often done at the same time.
Not everyone is a candidate for the Weekend Facelift.
What are advantages of the Weekend Facelift?
- No visible scars
- Little discomfort
- Back to normal activites in 48 hrs.
Mini Facelift New York City: Mini-Lift (aka “Mini Facelift”, “Jawline Tuck”, “Quick Facelift”, “S-Lift”, “Temporal Facelift”)
A Mini Facelift (Mini-Lift) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to tighten and smooth the lower face. A small incision is made just in front of the ear. Excess skin in the lower face is removed and small sutures are placed. Frequently a chin, cheek, and jowl liposuction is done at the same time, which removes the fat that can obstruct the improvement and causes some retraction (tightening) on its own.
The Mini-Lift has become a very popular option for patients who want a more youthful look, but have little time to spare from work and other normal activities. With a downtime of five to seven days Mini-Lifts are available for those in their 40’s who don’t need a traditional full facelift, but want to tighten up the sagging skin and underlying muscles below the eyes and above the mouth, with little down time away from work. Men and women in their early 50’s and 60’s, who are looking for a more youthful and dramatic enhancement can achieve it with an array of cosmetic surgery options.
- A Mini-Lift provides a conservative facelift utilizing conventional incisions. It has on impact on the lower face and neck. However, this is a less aggressive procedure than a lower facelift.
- Mini-Lift is often done under Local Anesthesia and it takes about 2 hours.
- The Mini-Lift avoids the bruising, swelling, and prolonged healing often seen with traditional full facelifts. There is generally little or no pain associated with the Mini Facelift, and many patients are able to return to work within 7 days.
- The Mini-Lift can be done as an office procedure or out-patient hospital or clinic procedure.
Which areas of the face can be treated with a Mini-Lift?
- The Mini-Lift is designed to rejuvenate the upper neck and jawline and to correct the jowl area and sub-mental fullness (fullness below the chin).
- The Mini-Lift surgery can be performed on any age group. Because down time is less and there is less bruising and swelling it is ideal for males and females.
- Because men do not wear make-up, a mini-facelift is desirable due to its minimal bruising and swelling.
- A Mini-Lift is a true Facelift, so the results are long-lasting, unlike a Thread Lift or fillers that will quickly dissipate. There is some relaxation of the Mini-Lift in the first few months, but after that the effects are long lasting.
- The Mini-facelift is often done in conjunction with Liposuction to sculpt the neck and jaw line. If the eye area is also a concern, the Mini-Lift can be performed easily in combination with upper and/or lower lid Blepharoplasty, to give a complete facial rejuvenation with approximately 4 to 5 hours of surgery.
- Mini Facelift Surgery is not ideal for the patient who has a lot of mid-facial ptosis (drooping), unless the mini facelift surgery is combined with a Blepharoplasty (Eyelid surgery) and a mid-face lift. Otherwise a Traditional Facelift, otherwise known as a Full Deep Plane Lift, is recommended for those patients.
What type of Anesthesia is used for the Mini-Lift procedure?
The Mini-Lift can be performed under Local Anesthesia, light sedation, or General Anesthesia.
What should I expect after the Mini-Lift procedure?
Following the Mini-Lift procedure you should expect some swelling and bruising of the facial skin around the ears. There is minimal discomfort.
Are the results of the Mini Facelift Permanent?
Results of the Mini Facelift are not permanent, but are instantaneous and last for about 5 to 7 years.
What are possible complications to consider when considering a Mini-Lift?
Possible complications to consider when thinking about a Mini-Lift would include bruising, wound separation, scaring, decreased sensation to the ears or neck and facial weakness.
How long do results of the Mini-Lift last?
Every patient is different and so for someone to tell you that a lift will last “x” number of years would be irresponsible. However, most people feel that they get a good 5–7 years from the Mini-Lift, and as mentioned earlier – you always look better than if you had not had it done.
What are some advantages of the Mini-Lift?
- Less invasive than a traditional facelift (smaller skin incisions).
- This procedure avoids the bruising, swelling, and prolonged healing often seen with traditional full facelifts.
- There is generally little or no pain associated with the Mini Facelift, and many patients are able to return to work within 7 days and resume full activity in three weeks.
- It is much less invasive than a full facelift so there is less trauma and downtime.
What are some disadvantages of the Mini Lift?
Slight skin tightening offered by small incisions and barb sutures may not fully satisfy the patient.
Does the Mini Facelift replace a Traditional Facelift?
The Mini facelift does not replace a Traditional Facelift, but it is a safe and viable alternative.
What should I expect after the Mini Facelift procedure?
Following the Mini Facelift you should expect some discomfort, minor swelling (of which the majority settles in 2-3 days) and bruising.
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