A lifestyle lift is another name for a mini lift and...

A lifestyle lift is another name for a mini lift and will give mini results.

The traditional (comprehensive) face/neck lift is a full facial rejuvenation involving the cheeks, jowls, neck fat, and anterior platysmal bands. The comprehensive face/neck lift is a three-hour operation that tightens muscles in the face, the front, and back portion of the neck while removing fat both above and below the platysmal muscle in the neck.

A comprehensive full face/neck lift is not done in a lunchtime, one-hour mini lift surgery.

A Lifestyle lift is more or less a mini-facelift, and it does not address the 3 classic signs of aging that almost everyone seeking lower facial rejuvenation wants corrected:

• improvement of the neckline
• the jawline
• the jowls

A facelift, however, fully corrects these areas of concern, and is a much more durable operation (most facelifts can be expected to last 10-15 years).

Many patients are concerned about a "full" or "traditional" facelift because they fear the anesthesia, recovery time, the incisions, the cost, or having an unnatural or pulled appearance. Here are some thoughts to consider:

• Traditional facelift incisions, when performed properly, are very well hidden and very difficult to find once healed. In general, patients need about 7-10 days or so before they are ready to get back into their normal routine, and about 14 days for the bruising to resolve (some folks need less time, others a few more days).

• The cost of a traditional facelift may be a bit more, but it is also a more durable procedure and will correct the anatomic signs of aging by not only addressing skin but the underling tissues as well.

• Finally, if you are worried about having an unnatural or pulled look, review the doctor's credentials, training, and before and after photos carefully - this will give you an idea as to his or her work.

Dr. S

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