Lower Facelift with Vertical Skin-pull Vectors?

Is it at all possible to get a lower facelift without using a horizontal vector? Are there any lower facelifts that use non-horizontal/vertical vector for skin repositioning? I'm a bit terrified of having my lips elongated horizonatlly (as one plastic surgeon was kind enough to simulate for me)--please tell me there are other ways of going about this!

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18 Doctor Answers | Asked by youngrace in la, ca, usa

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Lower Facelift with Vertical Skin-pull Vectors

The move to vertical facelifting I believe has been one of the most significant technique advances to give patients a more natural, less visually "pulled" result. The use of vertical vectors is commonplace today, and various techniques on the facial and neck muscles really focus on this issue. In my experience, one addition that has helped me gain the best results in the vertical pull direction has been the use of the new generation of Quill (Angiotech) suture to... more

Natural look with plastic surgery

The numbers of available facelift procedures are daunting. The technical translation from a verbal description of "what procedure a doctor does" to the final result is literally all over the board. Two doctors using the exact same theoretical technique will have very different results. More important than the type of procedure used are the reputation of the facelift specialist and the results. By now you have apparently had many consultations. No doubt you have narrowed your... more

It is possible to do this

Dear Youngrace, What you are describing is exactly what I try to achieve in what I call a "cheek and neck lift" procedure. In my procedure, the deep tissues are repositioned directly vertically and the skin is gently removed along natural vectors but with no tension that would distort the mouth. A direct vertical pull on the skin will create other distortions even if it doesn't distort the mouth.

Vertical Vector for Lower Facelift

Yes, a necklift can be achieved with vertical lifting. In fact, this approach is the basis for one of the more recent trends in facelifting surgery, the short-scar facelift. The neck and lower face muscles, fat, and skin are lifted much more vertically, thus avoiding a long incision behind the ears. Often, some limited liposuction or muscle tightening might be added just below the chin through a small incision there. However, be aware that if someone has a lot... more

Face Lift Vectors and the Different Planes

When you are discussing facial rejuvenation, you have to consider the different levels of the face, which can simply be divided into: Skin Everything below the skin (fat, fascia, muscles) With early facial aging, some patients do not have significant skin excess, and just repositioning of the deeper tissues will give them a rejuvenated look. For these patients, the “minimal incision” procedures are appropriate. For those with slightly... more

Vertical Vector Mini Facelifts result in a natural appearance

Simply put, the answer is yes - there are facelifts and mini-facelifts that focus on a vertical vector to give you a natural appearance. The ones that come to my mind most readily are the MACS (minimal access cranial suspension) and LiteLift procedures. I think your reasoning is right on. To turn the clock backwards to an result that mimics the way you once looked, i.e. a real and natural appearance by necessity has to be in an anti-gravity vector. That is, in an upward, vertical,... more

Natural facelift results

Gravity is a vertical phenomenon. By and large, employing any horizontal vector in facial rejuvenation is not going to produce a natural result. I would agree that any operation that distorts the lips in a transverse direction is entirely undesirable.

Lower facelift effect on the lips during consultation

The horizontal pull on the lips that you saw during your consultation with your plastic surgeon should not happen as a result of a well performed facelift. When facelifts are simulated by tugging on the lateral cheeks and jowls during consultation lip pulling occurs because the pull is primarily on the skin and not underlying tissues. The reveres is true in surgery where usually much more tightening is done of the underlying tissue and generally the mouth or lips... more

James C. Marotta, MD

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Long Island Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.marottamd.com

Lower face lift effect on lips

A lower facelift is a powerful and effective procedure to recontour the lower face, the jaw, and neck. During this procedure, the deep tissue of the neck is identified, the excess fat is treated, and this tissue is resuspended to be stronger tissue around the ear and skull. The vectors used for the resuspension are important. These vectors should be more vertical and NOT horizontal in order to prevent the windblown, tight, overdone look of a poorly done facelift. With proper... more

Customize the surgery to your own face

In my practice, horizontal vectors are not utilized for the exact reason you mentioned- this vector will cause a distortion of the mouth and cheek. In my opinion, a purely vertical vector is equally bad as the distortion will be at the level of the outer eyes and temple, necessitating the need for a lateral brow lift. I typically use several vectors on each patient and carefully evaluate the pull of the inner supporting tissues (SMAS,muscle,etc) during the procedure so as not to... more