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If you are considering a facelift, you've probably been doing research for a while, or at least long enough to know that doctors do not always mean the same thing when they say facelift. You've probably also been bombarded with a number of brand names for special variations on the procedure, such as the Lifestyle Lift, the Quick Lift, or the S-Lift, even the One Hour Magic Lift. But what are these variations and how can you decide which might be the best procedure for you. Facelift Basics The first thing to understand is that a facelift is really directed at the lower part of the face, the jowls, and the neck. It works by repositioning the tissues of the lower face, which have begun to hang down as a result of gravity and age, and trimming them so they fit more tightly with less wrinkles and a better shape. Sometimes, doctors will perform what is known as a midface lift, which is designed to improve the appearance of the area below the eyes, but this is a less common procedure. What is now considered a traditional facelift, the SMAS facelift, was invented in the mid 1970s. This facelift was an innovation over the previous techniques because it involved a repositioning of the Superficial MusculoAponeurotic System, a layer of muscles and connective tissue located just below the skin of the face. This allowed for longer-lasting results than the previous skin-only facelifts that had been practiced since the early 20th century. Facelift Drawbacks The main drawback of the traditional facelift is that it does require a significant investment of time, both from you and from your surgeon, which makes it very expensive. Following a traditional facelift, you often have to wait several weeks before you can show your face in public because you will have significant swelling, bruising, and pain. However, following the procedure, you will generally see very significant results that are long-lasting, if you have chosen your plastic surgeon properly. Facelift Variations There have been many attempts to improve the facelift, to either give it better results or to make it less invasive, and quicker without losing the results. Experimentation with what was called a deep plane facelift, in which a deeper intervention was performed on the face, led to longer healing times without significantly improved results. As a result, deep plane facelifts have largely been abandoned. In the other direction, some plastic surgeons are essentially going back to the older way of performing facelifts, attempting to achieve quick results by performing essentially skin-only facelifts, what are sometimes called mini-lifts. These are less invasive procedures that are nearly painless, heal very quickly, and for some people provide very good results. Some people, however, see only minimal results and others see results that fade very quickly as the skin quickly returns to its original position, or, even worse, slides into more significant drooping. The problem with some variations on the mini-lift is that they are primarily used as marketing tools. The advertising department creates a long list of claims to get bodies in the operating room, then the doctors perform as many of these money-making operations as possible, 30 or more in a week. If you are considering a mini-lift, choose your doctor carefully, look at real before and after pictures taken not immediately following the procedure, but months and years later. If possible, talk to real patients of the doctor to make sure you are getting a real surgery and not just a con job. Hanging by a Thread An even more dramatic attempt at providing good results without invasive surgery is the thread lift. In this procedure, a barbed thread is used to pull up and hold the sagging flesh of the face. For some people, this has provided a temporary remedy, but for the majority of people, the thread lift seems to be another failed attempt at combining convenience and cosmetic surgery. Many people who have had the thread lift also complain that the thread is very painful and it is sometimes visible below the skin. No Pain, No Gain Unfortunately, this and many other similar clichés are very appropriate in discussing the facelift. If you want good, reliable results, you have to make the sacrifice in money and time and undergo a significant operation. For some patients, a mini-lift can also be a good option if you work with a reputable cosmetic surgeon. If you would like to learn more about facelift procedures and variations, make consultations to talk to several cosmetic surgeons and steer clear of anyone who seems to be selling you the procedure. To begin your search for the right surgeon and the right facelift in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact Dr. Kun Kim today.
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