Facelift Sutures Permanent or Absorbable - How Do You Determine if a Facelift is Well Done?

asked 6 months ago by marie.svensson in New York & Beverly Hills
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 206 times
Tags: absorption, dissolve, permanent, SMAS, sutures

If the sutures that stabilize the SMAS layers in their new position are dissolvable would that improve the longevity of the facelift? As the facial volume needs to be addressed properly for a good result, does it has to be fat transfer that achieve that volume or would replacing the SMAS layers give the same result. I am in the research stage for the right plastic surgeon so I will try to meet previous patients. How do you determine if a facelift is well done?

9 answers to Facelift Sutures Permanent or Absorbable - How Do You Determine if a Facelift is Well Done?

How to determine if a facelift is well done?

Look at actual patients who have had the procedure, and even more especially, well matched before and after photos without photoshop, with the same facial expression (not smiling after the facelift, because this is in and of itself a facelift), and about the same amount of cosmetics in the before and after. Look at different angles. Examine the before very very closely, and visualize the aging features. Understand what in the before photos would cause the person to desire... more

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

Facelift and Suture Choice

I would not be that concerned about the choice of suture that a surgoen uses. I would focus more on the surgeon's experience and results. Some surgeons get outstanding results using absorbable sutures, some get great results with permanent sutures. Make sure to look at before and after pictures as well as patient testimonials in order to get a feel for the surgeon's work. The risk to using permanent sutures is that they can potentially form suture granulomas which can be an... more

Todd C. Miller, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

The sutures used have not bearing on the quality of the facelift.

It is generally important to stabilized the SMAS layers. I personally like permanent sutures for this purpose. However, many surgeons prefer absorbable sutures for this purpose. The are concerned that long term there is a risk that the suture could become palpable or even become the nidus for a stitch access. The reality is that for most patients sufficient scar tissue will form after surgery to function for the purpose of providing long term stabilization for the... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

How do you determine if a facelift is well done?

The best way to determine the success of a facelift is the way it looks, and if the facelift addresses the concerns the individual desired to rejuvenate. Visiting with board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss their approach and finding out the surgeons of individuals you know who had great results is the best way to pick a surgeon. You may also check out surgeons' websites to check their credentials, see what they offer educationally, and look at photo galleries. With regard to... more

Michele A. Shermak, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Well done face lift

What makes a facelift appear 'well done' is when the result is natural and there is no disharmony in the face. You are correct that restoring facial volume with fat grafting is a critical part of facial rejuvenation.

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift Sutures

The last question is the most important- I think that you need to be able to see if a patient looks natural and not too pulled, yet more youthful, after a facelift to decide if it was performed well. Subtle things to look for include normal earlobes, natural appearing hairlines, and smooth facial contours. For the SMAS, I personally use non-absorbable sutures, as they seem in my hands to provide the longest lasting results.

Jeffrey Epstein MD, FACS
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

A Well Done Facelift

The key element in determining whether a facelift is well done is how well it looks long term and whether the results look natural and non-operated. If one understands the aging facelift you should consider a “Lift & Fill” facelift. You are “lifting” the deep layers with the SMAS and “filling” with those deep layers in the fat compartments. That is the optimal procedure for this to be done in my opinion.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Facelift sutures and addressing volume loss

I tend to prefer permanent sutures to position the SMAS layer in its new location, though many surgeons use absorbable sutures and get good results as well. You're right that volume loss often needs to be addressed. This can be done at the same time using fat grafting. I find this is more powerful than using SMAS grafts only. The true test of a well done surgery is the end result. Does is look natural, rather than overdone? Addressing volume loss appropriately is key in this regard,... more

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelft quality and suture choice

I believe the best way for a patient to determine if they will be pleased with their surgoen's facelift results, would be to ask to see pre and post operative patient photos. When viewing the photos, check to see if the before and after photos were taken with the patient in a similar repose. Was the lighting or shadowing different? Was the patient wearing make-up in both photos? If you were the patients in those photos, would you be happy with... more