Today, men and women fight against the physical manifestations of the aging process in their quest for eternal youthfulness. Bit by bit, the elasticity of the skin is lost, and the muscles are weakened while wrinkles, along with saggy skin, set in to distort the face and diminish one’s self-esteem and ego. Facelifts have become a common longing among people who want to regain their youthful appearance. There are several types of facelift procedures, but we will focus on these three: SMAS facelift, short scar facelift, and mini-facelift. This article will discuss in detail what one can expect from these three procedures by describing each step they include before, during, and after the procedures.
The SMAS facelift reaches deeper layers of facial tissues by manipulating something known as the SMAS facial layer-engirdling and covering the deeper structures of the face and neck-attaching to them. Through this layer, surgeons should easily be able to achieve results that are more spectacular and long-lasting than would be possible when performing skin-only facelifts. A facelift through SMAS will begin with an extensive consultation with a Board-certified plastic surgeon. In this consultation, the surgeon will assess the patient’s facial structure, skin elasticity, and aesthetic goal, along with a patient’s past medical history, medications, allergies, or prior surgeries the surgeon can determine if the procedure is appropriate.
Medical check-ups in the form of blood tests or other diagnostic analyses are often prescribed for the overall assessment of the patients’ health. Medication modification is common; hence, they may advise the patient to avoid blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, or herbal supplements that can increase the chance of hemorrhage. Patient’s may be advised to quit smoking and consuming alcohol (if applicable) as they may complicate the healing process. Arrangements should be made for transportation home after the procedure and also to stay with provide in person care for at least the first night. This provides safety and comfort during the beginning of the recovery process.
SMAS facelifts involve anesthesia and could take anything between three to five hours, depending on the complexity. This procedure is normally performed under general anesthesia, though in some instances, local anesthesia with sedation may suffice, depending on the degree of the surgery and at the discretion of your surgeon. The surgical steps include placing incisions along the hairline and around the ears to minimize the visibility of scarring. The surgeon lifts up the skin to access the layer called the SMAS that will then be tightened and moved in order to allow the mid and lower face to lift.
The extra skin is cosmetically removed for a smoother appearance, and the skin closure should consist of sutures or adhesives, whichever provides the best healing.
The patient is kept under very close observation during recovery. Immediate postoperative care may include placing drains to take away the excess fluids and dressings or bandages to reduce swelling and bruising. Recovery involves pain management, and is usually managed with pain medications prescribed by your surgeon. Swelling and bruising are expected and generally subside in a couple of weeks, however it takes several months to finally see the results as any residual swelling clears. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor the healing process, suture removal, and to work out some of the other issues that may come up in the process of recovery.
The SMAS facelift provides excellent long-lasting results. The contour of the face and neck become more youthful; there is less sagging of the skin, the folds become finer, and there is improvement in muscle tone. Deep structural defects are also addressed, resulting in an improvement in facial appearance. This procedure can provide a long-lasting solution if the patient adheres to the postoperative advice and follow-up visits at prescribed intervals.
The short scar facelift, also called an S-lift or limited incision facelift, addresses sagging of the lower face but with less scarring. Incisions are much shorter compared to a regular facelift; hence, it is less invasive, but the results will be pretty good. Suitable candidates for this facelift are often younger patients with mild or moderate evidence of the aging process who wish to improve their appearance without the more extended surgery for a complete facelift.
A Preoperative consultation determines the feasibility of a short scar facelift before the operation. The preoperative preparations are similar to those in an SMAS facelift and include medical check-ups, medication review, life-style adjustment by stopping smoking or avoiding alcohol, and plans for post-surgery assistance. The Short scar facelift is often performed under local anesthesia with sedation or with general anesthesia. An incision is made in front of the ears, slightly into the hairline. During this surgery, the facial plastic surgeon tightens underlying tissues and removes excess skin in order to create an improved facial contour. Incisions are closed with careful attention to minimizing scars. Operating time is about two to three hours, less than for a full facelift.
Recovery from a short scar facelift involves some discomfort, but the pain is often minor and generally tolerable with medication. Swelling and bruising are less severe than with a classic facelift and settle in one to two weeks. Most people are back to normal inside a week and appreciate the shorter downtime. Results subsequent of a short scar facelift are to revitalize facial features, and with minimal downtime.
The mini facelift, also known as the weekend facelift, is the least invasive among the three. It addresses early signs of aging and is focused primarily on the lower face and jowls, which is great for younger patients or those with a minimum amount of skin laxity. A pre-procedure consultation including an analysis of skin elasticity and preoperative discussion regarding aesthetic goals will take place, where the surgeon can indicate that this operation is best for patients with good skin elasticity and early signs of aging. It includes preoperative preparations such as a health evaluation to ensure no condition may impede surgery, adjustment of medications, cessation of smoking, and arranging transportation and post-operative care. The mini facelift surgical procedure takes about an hour or two and is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Small incisions are made around the ears, and the surgeon lifts and tightens the underlying tissues to accentuate facial contours. Because there is only a little superfluous skin to be removed, the tiny incisions are stitched up using fine sutures so that the scars remain very small. It’s less invasive, so operative time is reduced, and the recovery process is easier. The recovery is fast, usually characterized by mild swelling and bruising, which clears up after a few days. Pain is usually minimal and can be adequately controlled using over-the-counter analgesics. Most of the patients return to normal life in a few days, hence the convenience for people with tight schedules. While it may not be as dramatic as heavier lifts, the mini facelift does address early signs of aging in such a gentle manner that it actually revitalizes a person’s appearance.
The SMAS facelift is the most dramatic making it more invasive and requires the longest recovery; the short scar facelift involves a moderate correction and is less invasive with a shorter recovery; and the mini-lift includes a minimal correction and is the least invasive, having the briefest recovery. All have minimal scarring, but the short scar and mini-lift have smaller incisions and the resulting scars are less noticeable.
Which type of procedure to pursue depends on individual factors. These are age, condition of the skin, expectation, general health, and time one is likely to need for recovery. Younger patients or those who have less skin sagging may undergo the mini facelifts while those who would seek for more extreme rejuvenation may consider an SMAS facelift. Additional factors may include: health status, as it involves diverse degrees of invasiveness and risks. It should, of course, involve a consultation with a qualified surgeon on the best procedure suitable in consideration of the patient’s personal goals and expectations. All surgery carries risk of infection, bleeding, scarring, and anesthesia complications. There are several benefits associated with facelifts to include improved appearance, building confidence, and long-lasting results that are seen to improve one’s quality of life. Preparing for surgery, including pre-and post-operative care, coupled with selecting a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, goes a long way in minimizing risks while reaping the maximum benefits of your procedure of choice.
A face-lift is a serious decision to undertake-and as much as individuals need to fully understand their options, weighing pros against cons, and finding a surgeon who proactively listens to and understands the patient’s rationale for the surgery. When done with the proper approach and great support, a face-lift provides a person with a revitalized and rejuvenated look and feel. Fully aware of the differences between SMAS facelifts, short scar facelifts, and mini facelifts, the patient will be able to make proper choices according to their needs.
