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Mini-lifts: Aren't They Sometimes Warranted?

asked 1 year ago by bebo in texas
Latest answer by Babak Azizzadeh, MD
Question viewed 305 times
Tags: lower eyelids, candidate

I am 36, I gained and lost a significant amount of weight several years ago that led to excess skin. I have remained very trim the past several years, but due to genetics and the weight loss, my lower face looks like a hound dog's. My upper eyes were always a bit droopy, my upper face in general is fine, but below my cheek area sort of hangs. My brow, upper face, neck are great. I was thinking mini lift+upper bleph? I am worried about the neg mini lift comments.

16 answers to Mini-lifts: Aren't They Sometimes Warranted?

When to get a mini lift

Yes. Sometimes surgery is required even at an earlier age. Everyone ages differently and everyone has unique surgery goals. Therefore, you should consult with a qualified plastic surgeon so that the two of you can work together to develop a realistic treatment plan that will make you feel better about yourself. For instances, one of my patients was a young male who wanted cosmetic surgery in order to achieve his desired facial appearance, thus boosting his self esteem. Watch the video to... more

Babak Azizzadeh, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialplastics.info

Mini facelifts give mini results for a mini length of time

If you have had significant weight loss, in most instances, a mini lift will not work as well as a full lift. The point is not to do a mini because it "sounds" more appealing to you but to do what your anatomy and skin require for the best and longest lasting result. The scars and recovery are almost the same between a mini and a full lift so get the proper one.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

When do mini-lifts work well?

Mini-lifts can be used effectively when sagging problems occur in specific areas of the face and neck. The problem is with the term "mini-lift" since it can mean different things for different surgeons. It sounds like your neck, forehead, and lower eyelids are OK. The main problem is the area between your lower eyelids and your neck, called the "midface and jowls". This area can usually be significantly improved by an endoscopic midface lift... more

Minas Constantinides, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mini lift for signs of large weight loss

Mini lifts are difficult to perform correctly. The skill level is just as high as for more invasive facelift procedures. In our practice, we believe that deep layers should be restructured and brought higher in almost every patient who also requires "a little tightening". If the minilift you are contemplating involves a branded minilift performed under local anesthesia by a dubious practitioner, with just a little skin removed in front of the ear and closed under... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Nothing wrong with Mini Face Lifts

I have performed all sorts of Face Lift variations for over 20 years and Minimum Incision Face Lifts (Mini Face Lifts) work great if they are done properly and in the proper setting. The issue is that the word "Mini Face Lift" has been cloned to include a simple temple scalp incision to pull up some loose skin as well as a surgical resection, lifting of the SMAS with 2 inches of skin removal and all variations inbetween...when clearly they all will have different... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Candidate for Mini-lift Surgery

Hi bebo - A mini-lift can mean different things to different surgeons. There is a role for the"minilift" in individuals would have aging changes of the cheek and jowl areas. The minilift can often be combined with other rejuvenating procedures such as eyelid surgery, fillers, etc. A consultation and review of before and after pictures will give you a good idea of what is possible with mini-lift surgery. Sincerely, Tom Kaniff

Thomas E. Kaniff, MD
Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mini-Facelifts

Mini-Facelifts will give mini results, but that may be adequate for some patients because all cosmetic procedures should be individualized. Having said that, a more extensive lift may be necessary for someone like you who says that your lower face looks like a "hound dog's". If you send pictures we will be happy to make recommendations for you. As lon as your eyebrows are in good position, an upper lid blepharoplasty would be appropriate.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mini Lift is a possibility

If your upper face and neck are indeed in "good shape" then a mini-lift may be a good option for you. A true mini-lift or short-scar facelift is perfect for someone who needs improvement in the jowl are, sharpening along the jawline and repositioning of the cheek area. It does very little for the neck unless additional procedures are added. One thing that you must consider is that there are different types of mini-lifts (some are truly minimal) and results can vary based upon... more

Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Mini lifts are seldom indicated.

Just saw a lady with a minilift and 3 revisions. She needs a full facelift and will get an excellent result. Most patients age synchronously and benefit by a thorough operation. I do one "mini" facelift for every 50 thorough lifts.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Mini Lift

In many cases a Mini Lift gives Mini Results. You should consult with a facial plastic surgeon who performs full facelifts to determine if you are a good candidate, and then make sure you understand exactly what their definition of "mini facelift" is: does it include neck, jowls, cheeks, etc. Good Luck !

Roy A. David, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mini facelift is it right for me?

Dear mini facelift patient, Based on your descriptions, you are a good candidate for a mini facelift and upper blepharoplasty. I have performed over two thousand mini facelifts and they are wonderful procedures, if performed by an experienced surgeon. Mini facelift is designed for patients like you. Good luck…..Dr. Sadati

Kevin Sadati, DO
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.galleryofcosmeticsurgery.com

Mini-lift may give mini-results!

While I believe there is a place for reduced-incision facelifts (that go by many names, some purely marketing baloney, and others descriptive and specific), the situation you describe does not sound like a mild degree of premature facial aging caused by slight weight loss. If you have enough loose skin to describe your lower face as "like a hound dog's" and your below cheek skin as "sort of hangs," this sounds more like a full SMAS facelift rather than any type of... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

The key to a good mini lift result is Board Certified

I have performed mini facelifts for over 20 years and think that they are an absolutely excellent operation. The problem nowadays is that doing a cheap inadequate mini lift is relatively easy and is being performed by just about everybody except your uncle Frank. Gynecologists, dermatologists, and family doctors are all doing many lifts and there are even "McFacelift" franchise corporations out there that are turning them out like hamburgers during lunch. As expected some of... more

Andrew Kaczynski, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss and mini-lifts

It is hard to say what would work well for you without an exam, but in general if you lost a lot of weight and have alot of loose skin in the neck, then you may need more than a mini-lift.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mini face lifts after significant weight loss.

A face lift is a re-approximation of tissue of the face. The standard facelift addresses this by putting the anatomy back where it is supposed to be. The mini lifts may be acceptable for very specific indications. The most common problem with the mini lifts is that you are asking the suture to do a lot of work to hold the tissue where it is supposed to be. Often we are called upon in the office to do a formal facelift as the other lift only lasted 18 months... more

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Mini face lift

Your concerns are justified. The entrance of non qualified doctors into the cosmetic surgery business justify your concerns. The BRANDED face liftslike the lifestyle face lift, and ,many others are tought to non plastic surgeons because they do not know the principles of good face lift. Mini face lift does not include the neck, thou there is some improvement. the incision is less than a full face lift. HOWEVER THE WORK DONE ON THE SMAS, THE STRUCTURE UNDER THE SKIN is the... more