What is  important to know for a patient who wants a facelift?

Dr. Bucky has extensively researched facial aging and has developed techniques that enhance natural appearances after cosmetic surgery. He says anyone considering a facelift needs to understand how your skin changes with age, and “the keys to an excellent facelift are understanding the [following] three components and treating them individually.”
The first change is a loss of elasticity to the skin. Elasticity problems need to be treated with things that improve elasticity; dermabrasion, peels or lasers.

Volume loss is a Key Problem a facelift needs to address

The second change is a loss of volume or deflation.  Bucky says, “Deflation problems need to be treated with things that improve volume, typically your own fat or sometimes other fillers.”

When deflation happens everything starts to drop and that leads to third change, gravitational descent.  According to Bucky, “Gravitational descent is the third component in aging and needs to be treated with a lifting procedure, some sort of anti-gravity approach.”

Dr. Bucky says, “When all three are performed appropriately, that usually ensures a good aesthetic result.” The final key is a quick and easy recovery.  “When all that is put together, you should come out with a result that looks refreshed, balanced, younger and not surgical.”

Plastic Surgery Channel facial expert Dr. Patrick  Sullivan commented,  “Facelifts when  performed properly can  result in some of the happiest patients;however, when patients are lured into procedures driven by marketing that  do not address all the facial aging components big issues are  often seen.”

As always, interested patients should ensure their surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery when considering a facelift.

About The Plastic Surgery Channel

The Plastic Surgery Channel is a company devoted exclusively to educational programming about cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Our goal is to provide credible, up-to-date information to people considering plastic surgery or a cosmetic procedure, as well as coverage of the latest news and hot topics from the field of plastic surgery.

Unlike shows you might see on network or cable television, the programming on The Plastic Surgery Channel does not strive to be sensationalist, focusing solely on extreme cases, nor is it solely devoted to a documentary-style overview of various medical procedures. Rather, we strive to inform — and in some cases entertain — viewers by providing relevant, engaging content that covers all facets of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. We rely on experienced, board certified leaders in the field as content consultants, and conduct substantive research to verify the accuracy of the articles and videos that we present.

Of course, The Plastic Surgery Channel is not meant to replace the advice of medical professionals. Viewers are reminded to always consult a medical professional before making any decisions about plastic surgery or any other form of surgery.

For more information about our programming and our faculty, please email us at info@theplasticsurgerychannel.com

Dr. Richard Rand wants to be clear: “This is not a mini-lift. Mini-lift is a mini-result for a mini-length of time.” The cheek and neck lift is somewhere in between: the result of a total facelift without the sometimes too-dramatic results.

The procedure Dr. Rand developed was in response to patient demand. His patients, mostly between the ages of 40 and 65, wanted a way to correct sagging cheeks and jaw lines without the too-tight “wind tunnel” look of traditional facelifts.

“Patients would say, ‘I’m not ready for a face lift’ and they’re thinking of Joan Rivers,” he says. So Dr. Rand came up with the cheek and neck lift, a modification on the facelift that helps treat four major signs of aging with discrete results.

The cheek and neck lift corrects the appearance of jowls, laxity in the neck muscles, looseness in the neck, and the descent of the cheeks with minimal scarring. Dr. Rand starts with an incision under the chin, where he is able to access fat in the neck, removing it without lipo and tightening the appearance neck muscles. He then goes in both in front of and behind the ears to elevate the cheek tissues without making them tight or pulling on the skin.

The result addresses sagging cheeks and jowls, taking years off a patient’s appearance but still giving them a natural look, says Dr. Rand. “You have outstanding rejuvenation without the least bit of an operated-on look.”

However, since the neck and cheek lift only addresses the lower face, patients who also need work done to correct problems with the brow and eyes would need to either explore a full facelift or separate procedures to address those issues as well. Video plays below.

What is Involved With a Neck Lift?

A neck lift consists of one or more procedures to remove fat and flesh from the neck area as well as to alter the neck muscles if desired.

•    Cervicoplasty

Cervicoplasty  removes excess flesh from the neck area. The procedure involves making incisions on the upper part of the neck, trimming certain areas of the neck skin and lifting the remaining skin into the desired position. The affected skin is held in place with the use of stitches or tissue glue.

•    Platysmaplasty

This procedure rearranges neck muscles to remove unsightly muscles and give the neck a smoother look. To gain access to the neck muscle (or platysma), the surgeon cuts incisions below the patient’s chin or behind the ears. Next, the surgeon modifies the muscle position and removes some of it if necessary, and sutures are used to secure the affected tissue.

•    Liposuction

Liposuction may be required to remove excess fat from the neck area. Like the other procedures, liposuction requires an incision under the patient’s chin.

Risks and Complications
Most patients will have bruises and swelling  along the neck, jaw, and ears that may last for many days. Many will also experience sensations of burning, pulling, tingling, numbness, or tightness. Risks from the surgery itself include possible infection as well as an allergic reaction to the anesthetic.

Recovery Period
For most patients, recovery takes 10 days to 2 weeks. For physically active patients, such as those engaged in sports, it is recommended that they refrain from activities for at least three weeks .

Before You Go
It is important to have an idea of the type of results you are looking for when considering a neck lift. It may be helpful to view photos of patients who have had the procedure done. Understanding your desired results is critical to a successful neck lift surgery and getting a slender, smooth neck.