A Kinder, Gentler Facelift
Less Downtime and Excellent Results with the Mini-Lift

Until just a decade or so ago, the traditional full facelift was the surgical procedure of choice for "turning back the clock." And, for some patients, this still remains the most appropriate treatment option for improving the visible signs of aging on the face.

But thanks to advances in surgical techniques, today there's an attractive alternative. Known as the limited-incision facelift, short-scar facelift or mini-lift, it delivers excellent results with significantly smaller scars, a faster recovery and, in many cases, less bruising.

In fact, it's become my treatment of choice for the majority of patients seeking a surgical solution to jowling and loose cheek skin.

The Most Important First Step
The short-scar facelift is a highly individualized procedure. In our initial consultation, I will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone structure, and we'll discuss your goals and expectations for the surgery. This is the most important first step.

Shorter Incisions…
The procedure itself essentially repositions all of the parts of the face that show signs of aging - but each incision is only about half the length of a traditional facelift incision. The incision I perform most frequently begins at the sideburn and ends beneath the earlobe - making this surgery very "pony-tail friendly." Another option in short-scar facelifts is to make an incision along the hairline. It all depends on what parts of your face we want to "lift."

Before	After
A 73-year-old patient

…Compared To A Traditional Facelift
To give you an idea of just how much shorter the incisions are in this procedure, consider this: in a traditional facelift, incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, follow the natural line in front of the ear, curve behind the earlobe into the crease behind the ear, then into or along the lower scalp.

The Surgery Itself
Once an incision is made, I separate the skin from the underlying fat and muscle. Then I tighten the underlying muscle and membrane, pull the skin back into place and trim the excess. I use stitches to secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. The entire procedure usually takes about one to one-and-a-half hours.

A Speedy Recovery
Few patients report any significant discomfort after surgery. And while each person heals at a different pace, recovery from this procedure typically follows a similar timeline. You should be up and around in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week. Within one week, your stitches will be removed. Most patients are back to work about 10 days to two weeks after surgery. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks (special makeup can easily camouflage this), and you should avoid strenuous activity - including intimate relations and housework! - for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine).

The Ideal Candidate
I see the best results from the short-scar facelift in patients who show aging in the mid-face but don't have a great deal of excess skin around their jawline and neck. This procedure is very effective for correcting nasolabial folds (those lines on either side of the nose), saggy cheeks, jowls, and excess skin and fat under the chin.

If you're a smoker, it's particularly important that you stop smoking at least two to four weeks before and after surgery, because smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin which, in turn, can interfere with healing.

Combination Therapy
For more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, mini-lifts can be combined with other procedures such as eye and forehead lifts, laser, Botox and fat transfers.

Is this procedure right for you?
If you're not ready for a full facelift but are considering a rejuvenation procedure that does more than resurface your skin, the Mini-Lift could be the right choice for you. I welcome the opportunity to talk to you about it in person, and encourage you to schedule a consultation so that I can answer any questions you might have.

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