Does my facial structure/type of sagging make it less likely that a Facelift will last 10 years?

Question

I posted my pictures previously and one surgeon said that my area of concern (my type of marionette lines and jowls) is not easy to correct and likely to recur after a facelift. I don't want to spend my savings if there is a higher chance that a facelift will be either less successful OR shorter lived.

Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, there! Judging from your photos, I don't believe you are the best candidate for a deep plane facelift.
The early signs of aging are sagging of the brows, hooding of the upper lids, drooping of the cheeks, deepening of the nasolabial folds, and formation of jowls. If lifting is desired, do a lift. But for a young person, a traditional deep plane facelift with cutting in front of the ear and around the temple hairline is not worth the trade-off.  You may be a good candidate for a micro lift, aka a ponytail lift. The downtime of that is minimum and it's under local anesthesia.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Learning430555 thank you for your question. Is important to see the overall face because of symmetry. Any type of surgical plan is subject to real possibilities of improvement and to the passage of time. A surgical solution is a new starting point for improvement that also needs a maintenance plan with non surgical treatments that help to sustain the process for a longer period of time. For more information and recommendations it is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. For most patients, results from a facelift will last about 10 years. And based on your photo, your degree of skin laxity may make you an ideal candidate for the procedure. That said, the longevity of a facelift depends on several factors, including your age, skin quality, lifestyle, environmental factors, and the particular technique used by your plastic surgeon. Therefore, the best way to determine your eligibility, as well as the results you can expect from a facelift, would be to have an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Your surgeon can properly assess your skin, determine your eligibility for a facelift, and recommend the best surgical approach, along with the best practices for prolonging your results.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!
This is definitely do-able. Possibly a buccal fat removal may help optimize the surgical outcome, as well as some fat transfer along the jawline. You have very good skin quality with minimal apparent sun damage. I think you should do well with very good short and long term results.
Be sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon. You can find one at plasticsurgery.org. Best of luck to you!

Steven H. Wiener, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. You have lower face ptosis, with midface displacement.  What is causing your skin folding over is the facial ligaments.  These can be released in a facelift procedure, and will significantly improve your appearance.  Pleas visit with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for a consultation.

Hakim Said, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Learning,
Thanks for this question. Patients often believe that facelifts "last" or "go away", and usually that means they don't understand how things works. A facelift cannot make you look a certain age forever, but it will have effects that last forever. Let's say you are 50, a facelift might make you look 40, but you will still continue to age, and eventually 5 years later you will look 45 years old. On the other hand, you don't go back to looking 55 where you would have been (now you look 45). Those years which it returned to you are still yours to keep. That is not true of many non-surgical treatments (I'm looking at you thread lifts!) which have a temporary effect and when they wear out, you are back to where you would have been anyway. Kind of wasted value there. 
You have some jowling and loose areas in your lower face which are very treatable with a lower facelift. We can debate whether that will make you 5 or 7 or 10 years younger, but that effect should be durable (assuming it is done well). 
It's a little bit like painting a house. The paint will fade eventually, but that is not a reason to do it. A fresh coat of paint may make you feel much better about your house. 
Hope that helps!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I think you can expect partial  improvement but I also think the improvement would be worthwhile. Also I would do the facelift sooner rather than later when the lines and sagging are much worse

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

As, you have probably researched, the general consensus on facelift longevity is 10-12 years.  But that depends on a large variety of factors including your age, general health, genetics, stress level, and how you generally live your life.  Although, I don't see anything in your photos that I would deem as negative in terms of longevity, it's impossible to say over the internet whether you are actually a candidate, let alone duration of result.  Several factors that do affect longevity: 1) large swings in weight gain/ loss, 2) severe health issues, 3) prolonged emotional stress.  Although I can't tell from the pictures about your particular case, when a chin implant is indicated, it makes the facelift result much better.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

The area of concern can be very challenging to correct. However, with a deep plane facelift it can be improved and does last for a long time. In my experience, it usually still needs fillers to get the best possible result. 
Regards
Dr. J

Richard Wellington Swift, MD · Answer

Thank you for posting your photos. Facelifts that release the retaining ligaments of the face and reposition the sagging tissues are very effective at correcting jowls and the marionette lines. I recommend that you have a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is experienced with facelifts and can address your concerns. Please review their before and after results.
Best wishes, Richard Wellington Swift, M.D., F.A.C.S.