No Change After Mini-facelift (5mo Post)?

   Jowling, depending upon the degree preop, may be more optimally improved with a greater degree of undermining and SMAS suspension.  This is difficult to determine based upon your description. 

      I make minimal scars but maximal undermining to create maximum skin removal and lift, while supporting the SMAS.  Everyone will have a different technique.  If you are dissatisfied, find the plastic surgeon who has the best credentials and who has performed hundreds of facelifts.

For unique cases where a variety of modalities could be used to treat the condition, I would suggest an in-person or virtual consultation to develop a custom and effective treatment plan. It is difficult to precisely define the best option without collecting the same information. I suggest reaching out to an expert for a consultation with surgical and non-surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

You may consider an Ulthera to tighten the lower face in conjunction with some facial fillers. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

The new mini face/neck lift make such a dramatic and natural improvement that it is not possible not to see a big difference unless you need liposuction of the jowls or a redoing of the facelift.  Be sure to get it done under local anesthesia and expect to pay roughly $6000 for the facelift or $2500 for the lipo. Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

It is difficult to assess the success of your procedure without pictures.  Although, friends are very adept at evaluating your looks, they are sometimes not the best critics for evaluating before and after pics, for a number of personal/psychological reasons.  I would suggest reviewing your results with your current surgeon, and if you do not receive satisfaction, then I suggest following up with a board certified surgeon who performs these procedures frequently with good experience in dealing with revisions.   Good Luck

After 5 months, you should be starting to see the real results of your mini-facelift. This procedure is great for some patients -- particularly those with mostly excess skin, a strong jawline, and minimal jowls. Without pictures and an exam in person, I can't comment on your particular situation. However, mini-facelift can be disappointing if your anatomy isn't appropriate for this technique.

Hi.  If you are a good candidate for a mini-facelift, you should see a significant improvement after surgery.  It would be helpful to see before and after photos of you, but the vast majority of patients that I treat with mini-facelifts are very happy.  

WIthout seeing pre and post-op photos it is difficult to comment. However, I will often tell patients that fillers or fat injections may be needed to fill the deflated face and this may be a maintenance procedure especially when filler products like perlane/juvederm/ restylane are used.

Dear LTF,

Thank you for your post. It sounds like you need a full facelift. there are definite limitations on what a mini facelift can do vs. a full. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeron.

Best wishes,

Pablo Prichard, MD

Even though you are still healing under your skin (it can take a full year for the muscles underneath to keep elevating up), at 5 months out if you are not seeing any changes then there is a high chance you need a revision face lift. It sounds like this is not a problem of some residual extra skin (this can happen often and is easily remedied) but an issue with the fat, muscles and fibrous tissue under the skin. It may be that a Mini Lift may not have been sufficient for your needs and a more extensive face lift would produce more changes.

The fillers can help hide the creases that jowls form but will not improve the jowls themselves.

Keep working with your surgeon and see what will work the best for your case!