How is a Lifestyle lift different from a traditional face lift?

I am 53 and have noticed neck and less jaw line what and how do I need to do and also how do I find someone who knows what there doing? thank you

Thank you, doctors, for the information. I really appreciate it when doctors like yourselves take the time to explain things in such detail. The fact that you are willing to communicate with patients makes me much, much more likely to trust you and pay you to perform elective, expensive surgery on my face. I think a lot of doctors that end up working for LSL and others are not clear on the point that patients are customers, and that a successful result includes a comfortable, happy patient. You (in conjunction with your staff)treat the person, not just the tissues, whether you intend to or not. Thank you for the time you spend on this and other patient forums.

Lets get all the terms correct. Any technique that is designed to improve the appearance of the face and "lift the face up" IS A FACELIFT procedure. So, Lifestyle lift, Quicklift, Mini-lift, Neck lift and all other 200 or so names are ALL modifications of facelift procedure. The word FACELIFT has earned a significant negative connotation in today's media and is traditionally associated with un-natural pulled look that is easily visible from across the room. That is what most of our patients do not want and what most of them refer to as A TRADITIONAL FACELIFT. What our patients want is a softer, less tight and more natural look. They are trying to avoid the longer recovery time traditionally associated with deeper and more involved lifts. The more natural lift can be created with both classic techniques and some of the "mini lift" procedures. What we know today is that the facial rejuvenation procedure should incorporate the lift of the deeper tissues, and not the skin layer alone. This way the facial rejuvenation procedure will improve the appearance of the neck, jowls and cheeks. Skin-only procedures pull the skin alone and the deeper tissues are moved upward following the skin and are not individually supported. Skin is not very durable in maintaining the shape or position of deeper tissues. The skin can be easily stretched out. Think of the patients with breast cancer who had their breast removed and then stretched out by the implant. Same is true for patients undergoing breast augmentation procedure. That is why in my mind the skin-only surgeries do not work, or if they temporarily do, do not last as long as the lifts that incorporate deeper tissues (SMAS, aka muscle layer or fascia). Many surgeons have a equally negative opinion of mini lifts. What is a mini-lift? A smaller and less effective version of regular facelift? Sometimes it is, sometimes it is not. "Mini lift" is as vaque of a term as "traditional facelift". I have seen some surgeons perform a facelift on a patient and the amount of lift generated was less then with some of our mini lift techniques. The point is that not all the Mini Lifts are born equal. In my experience, some of the mini-lift techniques elevate deeper tissues very effectively and their durability and longevity is comparable to more classic SMAS facelift procedures. I am trying to avoid the phrase "traditional facelift" not to confuse the issue. So, where does it leave you? Forget the trade names, traditional facelift or minilift or anything else. Ask your surgeon about what he or she is about to do. Ask if they are going to lift the deep tissues separately from the skin. Ask how long the surgery will take and how long the recovery is. Ask to see the pictures. Remember, chances are you will see the best results. Ask where the incisions are going to be. Try to lift your face with your hands and stop the lifting at the level your incisions stop. Take a look in a 3 way mirror. If you have lifted your neck and you have skin bunching on the side of your face or cheek, you may not be a candidate just for a neck lift - maybe you need a slightly more extensive procedure. Most of all, use common sense. With warmest regards, BV