Isn't a Full Face Lift Riskier Than a Mini Face Lift with Respect to Complications, Etc?

All cosmetic plastic surgery comes with risk, such as health complications like infection, and bad workmanship. We've all read about botched eye jobs, nose jobs, etc. Even a good plasic surgeon can, at times, do a not so good job. So wouldn't a mini face lift be less risky than a more extensive full face lift? And wouldn't a mini-lift be more likely to look more natural?

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39 Doctor Answers | Asked by brook607 in NYC

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Definitions and risks with facelift surgery

In order to answer your question, a few terms need to be defined. The problem is that there is no single definition of "full" or "mini" facelift. For example, a full facelift can mean either neck plus midface, or it can mean deep-plane dissection (extended SMAS), or any number of variations. Most of the time a mini-lift refers to limiting the operation to one area such as the neck or cheeks, which can cause imbalance in the appearance compared to adjacent areas, which... more

Facelift vs. Mini lift

Both a Facelift and Mini lift should have minimal complications at the hands of a skilled surgeon. A procedure should be determined solely by each patients individual needs. A Facelift will address the neck and jowl line area more effectively then a Mini Lift. A Mini Lift is also not a true medical term describing an exact procedure so this may vary from surgeon to surgeon. I personally use a digital imaging computer to show the proposed result to my patient during the consultation phase. If... more

Michael Elam, MD

83 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

Is the Mini Lift Worth Your Time and Money?

A mini face lift does mini improvement. If that is what you want and need it may be fine. Will a mini improvement satisfy you? If you have maxi expectations and get mini results will you be happy? Can a surgeon accomplish more in 1 or 2 hours or in 4 or 5. You get what you sign up for and pay for often. We all want great gains in all we do with minimal risk exposure. Good plastic surgeons do fine surgery and do right by their... more

Mini-facelift vs. Full facelift

The question posed is the difference in risk and natural results between a full and mini facelift. As for risks, they are more or less the same for both operations. The nature of the particular "mini" facelift will dictate the amount of risk involved. In most mini-facelift procedures the incision ends behind the ear and there is little or no dissection of the neck. In a full facelift the neck is completely dissected in most surgeons hands. That being the case, there is a very... more

Choosing a "Lift" Procedure

The nature of complications and the relative rates of these complications is very similar for min lift and Facelift. The only exception is that Facelift carries a slightly higher risk of hematoma. However, a mini lift, when performed on a patient that required a more extensive procedure (Facelift) is more likely to lead to a sense of dissatisfaction. Recent mass marketing has promoted the idea that a quickly performed, one hour procedure under local anesthesia is somehow... more

Full Facelift Versus Mini-Lift Which Is Safer?

So which is safer and more natural, a full facelift or a minilift? Safety, first of all depends on an individual's rate of specific complications occuring such as nerve damage, hematoma, infection, etc. Two surgeons can theoretically perform the same technique, however the risk of complications will always differ between surgeons. Ask your surgeon what is his/her rate of complications? Natural Results- Less is not always more when it comes to... more

Mini-Facelift vs Full Facelift

The first thing that all should understand is that there is no standard definition of a "mini-facelift" and a "full facelift." What each of those terms means may differ dramatically from one surgeon to the next. Below, I will briefly outline what a Mini-Facelift and a Full Facelift means to John Bitner: Full Facelift- incision running from the hairline on the neck, behind the ear, through the earlobe, behind the tragus and up into the temporal... more

John Bitner, MD

18 reviews

Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drjohnbitner.com

Get the procedure that is right for YOU!

No matter what you call all the many uniquely named mini-lift procedures or facelifts, what matters the most is that you get the procedure that is right for YOU from a skilled, board certified surgeon. Establish a healthy doctor-patient relationship so that you can communicate your expectations and understand what realistic results are possible from the procedure that you and your surgeon decide will best achieve your aesthetic goals. From anesthesia to combined fillers and CO2 at the... more

Facelift Results

This is a complicated question to answer because first you have to define what a mini facelift is. A facelift technically is a procedure that is used to restore the appearance of the lower part of your face (jowels) and the neck. Some more advanced facelift techniques, such as the deep plane facelift, also restore the mid-face/cheek area. Each surgeon has a different defintion as to what a mini-facelift is because it is not a defined medical term. Patients like to hear... more

Jacob D. Steiger, MD

17 reviews

Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drsteiger.com

Who doesn't want a "Mini" procedure - but pick the procedure that's correct for you

Please see a board certified plastic surgeon to see if indeed you are a candidate for these "mini" facelift procedures. Often, we hear of patients getting these "mini" procedures which essentially undercorrect signs of facial aging and require secondary revisional procedures. Review some of the patient questions and experiences on realself to see. Now, I'm not saying a mini facelift procedure may not be right for you. But visit with... more