7 Weeks Post Op and Very Disappointed With MACS Facelift?

Whereas limiting the length of the incisions is always admirable when applied to improper clinical situations the results can be disappointing. The operation has to be tailored to the anatomic need to the patient. The description sounds as though more formal facelift with have yielded better results. Fat injections are unpredictable at best.

The healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen. Typically, it's best to wait 6 to 12 months depending on the reason for #revision. As with all #cosmetic surgery, results will be rewarding if expectations are realistic. With any surgical #procedure and #revision, there are some risks of unhappy outcome or other complications which your surgeon should discuss with you during your consultation. Your procedure should always be performed by a #PlasticSurgeon who is board-certified and has a great deal of experience specializing in cosmetic #surgery. You will then greatly improve your chances of getting the result you desire, and, without the need for another revision surgery.If you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is recommended to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.

Without photos and an exam as well as reviewing your surgical note details it is not possible to give accurate opinions or advice. I suggest that you return to your plastic surgeon with your concerns.

    Some of this can be the reduction in swelling and not fat graft loss.  It is helpful at this point to compare before and after photos to determine the change.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

The MACS Facelift produces fullness in the cheek area and typically some bunching beneath the lower eyelid. This typically can requiring a lower eyelid lift at the same time to reduce the bunching so adding fat to the cheek/eyelid area seems a bit unusual but I do not have your before photos.  It has been less than 2 months and the swelling  will continue to resolve.  Give it more time your result may be just fine.

Dr. ES

It can take up to 6 months for you to be able to fully assess the outcome of your face lift surgery and fat grafting

I'm sorry you are disappointed with the results of your surgery.  It sounds like you were happy during the time of the most swelling ( which plumped out your face and made you look younger ) but now note minimal long lasting effects.  In spite of  the marketing buzz, the best science I know of shows only 30 - 40% of the fat placed in any location truly is retained; the rest is absorbed and that volume is lost.  The threads used to lift the deeper tissues of the face may "cheese wire" through the tissues resulting in loss of the lift.  Follow up with your surgeon.  You may be a candidate for a regular facelift which, if done properly, provides good results.

Seven weeks is still alittle early.  The initial excitement was the swelling which everyone has and it resolves. The macklift is not a very aggressive facelift but it doesnt effect the eyes.  Try and be patient and discuss with your PS.

after 6 months,ask for a standard biplanar face lift;

your surgeon-if well oriented-should accept with a low revision price

is not usually done until you have healed adequately.  Yes, you can get an idea of what is going to happen at this stage but the final results can still change.  You should discuss your concerns with your surgeon and you will have your pre-op photos to compare your post-op results with and usually you can easily appreciate the improvements there as opposed to viewing yourself in the mirror.  This is where revision policies of your doctor are important so you know exactly what kinds of costs your are looking at should you and your surgeon determine a revision could be beneficial.

The MACS facelift certainly has its benefits but your surgeons judgment and skills have a bigger impact on the outcome.