This mini facelift case at our Denver practice illustrates the (many) limitations of a “thread-lift” or 2-hour (or less) “Lunchtime/Weekend Facelift.” Indeed, this 64-year-old woman had undergone one of these procedures 6 years prior (reportedly via a company that is now out-of-business), in an attempt to perform an “isolated lift” of her neck areas, and was left with a significant amount of hanging, excess skin, especially in her anterior neck area (ironically). Despite having had her upper and lower eyelids lifted at that time, she also had other signs of progressive aging, which included deep vertical creases of her brow at rest, even though she had received 64 units of BOTOX® Cosmetic in her brow area 8 weeks prior.
A Well-Planned Solution
During her consultation, I recommended a proper surgical facelift via her existing periauricular (around-the-ear) incisions, with tightening of her deeper SMAS (denser tissue on top of the facial musculature) and platysma (superficial neck muscle) layers as well, with anti-gravity vector redraping and excision of excess skin. This plan did not involve an open neck incision. I performed this mini facelift as an approximately 3-hour procedure, in conjunction with repeat upper eyelid lifting and JUVÉDERM® soft-tissue filler to her brow areas for her static rhytids (wrinkles).
Do It Right the First Time
The patient is shown here at approximately one month post-op (she didn’t want her eyes featured), with excellent early healing and resolving edema/swelling, but most important, a much improved neck contour that should last for many years.
Before & After Mini Facelift
It’s important to understand that although a proper facelift of this sort may cost a bit (but not much) more than short-cut procedures, (which may cost at least half as much, but deliver only 20 to 30% of the potential results, if you’re fortunate – or create new problems altogether as discussed in a separate blog post), it’s worth it to have your facelift and neck rejuvenation done properly the first time. (And even though patients continue to age, it’s safe to repeat these procedures, usually 10+ years later).
Regards,
~Dr. Paul Steinwald, board-certified plastic surgeon
If you have similar problems of progressive lower facial or neck-area aging (or secondary problems from an improperly performed prior facelift), please contact us today at 303-278-2600 or contact us online for consultation. Thank you for reading and keep an eye out for future “Case of the Month” postings, featuring all of our surgeons on rotation.
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