For those who have performed facelifts on more than one patient with Ehlers-Danlos type hypermobile, what have you found helps?

Question

All textbooks state that EDS is a contraindication for facelifts. Yet successful facelifting in EDS patients is not unheard of, at least in the three papers on the subject in PubMed. Do you think one technique might be more successful, in terms of skin reattachment, than others? For instance, do superficial lifts work more w the faulty connective tissue than deeper planes, and so should theoretically be avoided? Thoughts about the R-Lift? What can be done to support stitches in skin that tears?

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

A facelift for a patient with EDS is not a contraindicated, but you should be aware of the risk of  formation of widened scars. The best option would be a lift that places the tension of the lift on the deep structures of the face, instead of the skin.

Chris Porter, MD · Answer

ED patients have a weakness of their skin and connective tissues that provide support. Due to these characteristics it is not unusual for ED patients to present for facelift consultations. Facelifts are not contraindicated for ED patients but the consultation must discuss that the aesthetic outcome may be less than for a non-ED patient and that revision surgery is possible. As the skin is the concern cosmetically and also the weak point then a facelift must rely on more than just skin for support. Lifting and higher fixation of the underlying SMAS is required for support, the excess skin can then be excised under no tension and therefore not used for suspension. I would recommend that you seek an opinion form a plastic surgeon experienced in facelift surgery.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, we  have performed facelift procedures on younger patients with extensive inelasticity of their skin for a variety of reasons. These patients get a great result, but the results will not last as long as somebody with normal skin tone.

For those who have performed facelifts on more than one patient with Ehlers-Danlos type hypermobile, what have you found helps?

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For those who have performed facelifts on more than one patient with Ehlers-Danlos type hypermobile, what have you found helps?

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Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.