Category Archives: Mini-lift (mini facelift)
What is the Difference Between a Lifestyle Lift and a Mini Lift?
Image Courtesy of www.lifestylelift.com
clp1988 in Chattanooga, TN asks:
“What is the difference between the “Lifestyle Lift” and a regular “mini face lift” of the bottom half of your face?”
A Lifestyle Lift is a mini-lift. The definition of a mini-lift is a shorter dissection procedure. Traditional “old type” facelifts dissect all along the face, outward towards the cheekbones and the nasolabial fold laugh lines. This is called an extended lift and there are individuals that still utilize this technique today. But a mini-lift only dissects a short degree, perhaps to 3 to 5-cm outward and downward from the ear. The shorter the dissection the less surgery performed, the less discomfort and swelling and potential for fluid collection, bleeding or infection.
Mini-Lift Incisions Preventing from Pulling Hair Back
Ohiokat from Ohio asks:
My surgeon said I’d be able to wear my hair pulled back after my mini lift, as the sutures would wrap in and around my ears. Post surgery, I’ve found that the sutures also extend back from behind my ears into the hairline about 2.5 inches. I’m upset. Is this typical, to find that incisions were made beyond what was specifically described pre-surgery?
Photo Courtesy of RealSelf.com
The amount of incision performed behind the ears is variable depending on the operating surgeon. Some incision types such as a “S-lift” there are limited or no incisions beyond the postauricular crease. However it is more common to have incisions extend beyond the postauricular crease into the hairline or along the hairline. The distance traveled can be anywhere from a few centimeters to several inches. Overall there is a tendency for minimal inhibition for putting one’s hair in a ponytail many weeks after the surgery as the wounds tend to blend in and heal nicely. Essentially understanding exactly what type of procedure and incision to be performed is essential in the preoperative consultation. But it is common to have incisions going backwards from the postauricular crease.
Would a Lower Lift Help with Sagging in the Marionette Area?
Marionette Area
Katt122 in Florida asks:
“Would a Lower Lift Help with Sagging in the Marionette Area? Due to 30lb weight loss I have sagging in the marionette line area. Its not too bad but it bothers me that I look sad. I talked to a plastic surgeon about a lower lift. He said this would also help my jaw line. What would this entail. Is the recuperation difficult. I am 48. Would juvederm help to hold off the surgery for awhile? Can it help the neck? I have already had my eyes done and rhinoplasty so surgery isn’t new to me.”
Combination treatment facelift plus filler is best answer for sagging marionette lines. The marionette area sometimes is reasonably simple to treat, but other times is more difficult. A simple answer is to utilize simple, safe and less expensive techniques such as Juvéderm or Restylane for the marionette line area. This can be a potential six to nine month or even one year successful therapy in many instances, but not all. More permanent answer entails Sculptra or lipo injection to the area that can additionally soften the marionette line. These answers are safe and less expensive. Nonetheless a facelift provides an excellent improvement in marionette lines in most instances, but there are some instances where supplemental injection is needed. So at 48 years of age I would suggest trying fillers first and if this doesn’t resolve things to your satisfaction then strongly consider a mini-lift or facelift by an expert surgeon in the area who has done a lot of facelift procedures. And again even then, consider subsequent injections if this is not satisfactory. – Dr. Santos MD, FACS
