With aging, our skin and fat tissue on the face and neck descend downward. The mini facelift surgery restore the balance of the face and neck. The surgery removes excess skin and lifts the tissues to restore the youthful appearance, eliminating the jowls and saggy skin of the face and neck. This procedure is done under local anesthesia in the office and is not as invasive as the full facelift and neck lift done under general anesthesia. A refreshing and natural appearance is delivered, not the “overdone” or “windtunnel” look.
How is the Mini Facelift Surgery Done?
The surgery is done under local anesthesia in the office. The incisions are well camouflaged. The incisions are typically at and in the hairline above the ear running along the crease of the anterior ear and posterior ear. No drain is needed! The skin flaps on the face are elevated and the tissue of the neck is released. The excess skin of the face and neck are then trimmed off and the skin is allowed to redrape without significant tension on the face and neck. This gives the optimal refreshing and natural look desired. The skin flap is then sutured closed. Again, no drain is needed! In the mini facelift, there is no tightening of the underlying muscle of the neck and face as done in a full facelift and neck lift.
Recovery after a Facelift and Neck lift
My patients go home on the same day. There is a compression garment for the face and neck that you will need to keep on at all time for 7 days. You can take it off to shower. After one week, the garment just need to be worn at night. Antibiotic ointment is applied to the incisions until complete healing. It’s essential to keep your head elevated after surgery, even while sleeping to reduce swelling and optimize healing. The tightness in the face and neck are normal after surgery and will feel more natural in a few weeks as your body adjusts. There can be slight changes to the hair pattern around the incision into the hairline. While most patients resume normal daily activities in 1-2 weeks, strenuous activities are not recommended for at least 6 weeks. The healing process takes time.
Facelift Candidates
Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.
What are the possible complications?
As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection, tissue necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, decrease or no sensation to ear, and need for further surgery. It’s essential to have your diabetes and high blood pressure under control and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.
Can it be combined with other surgery?
Yes, it can be combined with eyelid surgery and brow lift for a more refreshed look.
