What is a SMAS facelift? What is the cost and recovery time? (photos)

Surgeons have developed a number of different facelift techniques that focus on different tissue layers. The most commonly used approach today is the SMAS facelift, that means superficial musculo aponeurotic system, a layer of fibrous connective tissue just under the facial fat layer. This method relies on lifting the deep system of muscles and soft tissues, placing them back where they "used to be" in the young age.There are many different ways of performing a SMAS facelift, and for most people a so called "mini SMAS" facelift is usually enough, (SMASectomy). For people with severe ageing an extended SMAS facelift may be performed, which produces a very dramatic rejuvenating effect, However, all of the techniques have both - advantages and disanvantages, the disadvantages of extended SMAS facelift is prolonged recovery time.Properly performed facelift can take 10 up to 12 years off your appearance. The time of recovery depends a great deal on patients health and reaction of his body to the surgery; on the specific surgical techniques employed during the procedure; that's why the range can vary from 2 to 7 weeks. However, most of our patients find that after about 2 weeks they are sufficiently healed to resume social activities. Full effect can be seen in 3 months..The cost depends on technique applied.  Hope this help , best regards..

A SMAS facelift involves two components of tightening.1. SMAS - superficial musculoaponeurotic system - a facial layer that is superficial to the muscles in the face. This layer is tightened in a SMAS facelift. By tightening the SMAS, the jowls will be lifted, the platysma is tightened, and the facial tissue is gently elevated. This counteracts years of gravity.2. Skin is conservatively removed which helps to smooth the face, improving deep wrinkles.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson Richards

Thank you for your question.  He SMAS  face lift is a face  lift technique that support the face by the use of the SMAS  ( a deep layer of the face) that can produce a more natural, long lasting results among other things 

SMAS Facelift is a variation of a Facelift technique where the SMAS (muscle layer) is moved/tightened/repositioned to help address age related facial changes.  It is a more complex procedure than a skin - only facelift, and is thought to have longer lasting results, although the studies that compared various techniques did not find that a deeper approach was better than a more superficial approach in the long run.  Most surgeons do some variation of the SMAS facelift, we all do them a little differently.Whenever possible, I like to do what is called a HIGH SMAS facelift as it helps to plump up the cheek bones in addition to tightening the facial muscles, it helps to tighten the jowls and supports the neck tightening.  In patients who have minimal facial aging, a less aggressive skin-only facelift or a mini facelift can sufficient.

A SMAS facelift involves repositioning the muscle that contribute to droop in addition to the excess skin.  There are several ways to perform a SMAS facelift and the best way to find out what is best for you and the pricing would be to visit with several board certified plastic surgeons in your area.

This is a very important question about #Facelift, thank you.SMAS stands for: Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System.  This refers to a facial layer linking all facial expression muscles and their interconnecting collagen between each of them, the fascia.  All of those are organized as a thin sheet.  All those muscles also send little collagen bands to the overlying skin so pulling on the muscles will also bring the skin up in a lift.Pulling the skin alone is faster for the surgeons yet, there is a higher risk of unnatural results.  We have all seen the "wind-swept facelift" on #PlasticSurgery television shows where the skin alone was over-pulled, creating unnatural horizontal lines in the cheeks or over the temple regions.For this reason, I always perform a SMAS lift and a skin lift, applying more tension on the deeper muscle layers and allowing the skin to redrape naturally.  Only then I excise the excess skin and close the skin with minimal tension.The SMAS also includes the neck muscle called the platysma: I find it important as well to correct the separated muscles in the midline as to prevent recurrence of the "turkey bands" 1-2 years post facelift surgery.I also commonly add some fat grafting and stem cell transfer as part of most of my facial procedures for a complete yet natural rejuvenation.  Pulling alone does not replenish the loss volume that we see with aging.I asked my patients to plan 2-3 weeks of recovery for the SMAS facelift or 3-4 weeks if fat transfer is added.I perform all kinds of facelifting procedure but only with the SMAS lift will you get longer-lasting results.Please read my blog on "To SMAS or NOT to SMAS".Hope this helps!#DrMarcDuPere, #Toronto plastic surgeon

Hello, and thank you for your question. A smas facelift is a type of a deep plane facelift that separates the various components of the face and tightens them individually. Many plastic surgeons believe that it will give the most natural and long lasting results. I would recommend you seek out a qualified board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss fees as well as indications for this procedure. The cost will vary from area to area.

 A SMAS  facelift involves tightening the fascia/deep layers underneath the skin in the face to accomplish lifting the jowls. The SMAS is an important component of modern day facelifting techniques. Choose your surgeon by looking at their results, not the individual techniques that are performed. Look for a surgeon who performs very naturally appearing facelift surgery.

A SMAS facelift usually refers to elevating the skin away from the underlying soft tissue, and then elevating the superficial connective tissue layer off the face and moving it so that it lifts the sagging soft tissues.  The SMAS can be elevated at different levels as well or plicated or trimmed and plicated as well.

Hi, a SMAS facelift works on the SMAS muscle layer as part of the facelift procedure.  This has been the standard for any effective facelift for over 30 years.  The underlying SMAS layer, of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured. The excess skin is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.My most popular facelift is the minimally invasive, short incision facelift that has all the benefits of more invasive facelifts (traditional, mid-face and subperiosteal facelifts) but with these added benefits:very small incisionsminimal tissue dissection = less bruising and swelling = rapid recoverycan be performed in 90 minutes or less, with or without general anesthesiano incisions within the hair = no hair lossexcess fat can be removedexcess skin removedcheeks, chin and jaw line can be augmented with dermal fillers (I prefer Perlane) or facial implantsmost patients fly back home to parts all over the world in as little as 3 days post-opHope this helps.