Also, wouldn't it be counterproductive to dissect and re-suture SMAS to a face that is seeking to Lift a droopy jowl look? Just like the outer most layer excessive human skin is dissected and disposed of, why wouldn't you wanna dissect and disposed of excess SMAS?
July 20, 2020
Answer: SMAS treatment in facelift Thank you for the great question. Without getting too technical, the treatment of the SMAS varies between facelift techniques. In an imbrication, the SMAS is overlapped and sewn at the lateral cheek. This gives the surgeon an opportunity to use the existing facial volume -- which has now been released and lifted -- to add volume to the upper face. Having more volume in the upper cheek and temple region is considered a sign of youth. In a SMAS-ectomy, the excess SMAS is removed. There are differences in where this takes place in the face, however. A clear discussion with your surgeon of his/her preferred method (and reasoning) would be appropriate. Best of luck moving forward!
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July 20, 2020
Answer: SMAS treatment in facelift Thank you for the great question. Without getting too technical, the treatment of the SMAS varies between facelift techniques. In an imbrication, the SMAS is overlapped and sewn at the lateral cheek. This gives the surgeon an opportunity to use the existing facial volume -- which has now been released and lifted -- to add volume to the upper face. Having more volume in the upper cheek and temple region is considered a sign of youth. In a SMAS-ectomy, the excess SMAS is removed. There are differences in where this takes place in the face, however. A clear discussion with your surgeon of his/her preferred method (and reasoning) would be appropriate. Best of luck moving forward!
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June 29, 2020
Answer: SMAS Thank you for your question. In some occasions we use the volume of the SMAS to create more chick projection to the malar area. We have the option to use the option, but we don’t do it all the time.
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June 29, 2020
Answer: SMAS Thank you for your question. In some occasions we use the volume of the SMAS to create more chick projection to the malar area. We have the option to use the option, but we don’t do it all the time.
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June 7, 2020
Answer: SMAS-imbrication over a SMAS-ectomy When undergoing a facelift, many undergo a two layer facelift with the deeper layer being the SMAS layer. There are several ways to help support the elevation of the skin by a tightening the SMAS. This could be excising a portion of it and placing internal sutures to approximate the two edges of the SMAS layer which helps elevate the SMAS. Another way is to imbricating the SMAS, that is placing sutures similar to the first example but without excising that portion of the SMAS and letting it fold over itself. There is a technique in which a longer sutures placed anchoring to the more secure SMAS tissue higher just in front of the year and looping a suture down along with the SMAS which is a type of elevation but with a better anchor point. And the fourth most common is to elevate that layer as a separate flap and to lift up the lower SMAS by advancing and excising redundant SMAS tissue. There is no good study to show that one method is better than the rest. It is true that as one folds over a SMAS versus removing SMAS there is more volume in the region where the SMAS flap is folded over itself. For some patients, this is beneficial as it introduces more volume in the higher layers of the cheek. For some patients, this is not noticeable. Many times it is surgeons preference or training that guide them into the use of one option versus the other. It would be good to question your surgeon regarding these small nuances to hear their opinion with regards to your face.
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June 7, 2020
Answer: SMAS-imbrication over a SMAS-ectomy When undergoing a facelift, many undergo a two layer facelift with the deeper layer being the SMAS layer. There are several ways to help support the elevation of the skin by a tightening the SMAS. This could be excising a portion of it and placing internal sutures to approximate the two edges of the SMAS layer which helps elevate the SMAS. Another way is to imbricating the SMAS, that is placing sutures similar to the first example but without excising that portion of the SMAS and letting it fold over itself. There is a technique in which a longer sutures placed anchoring to the more secure SMAS tissue higher just in front of the year and looping a suture down along with the SMAS which is a type of elevation but with a better anchor point. And the fourth most common is to elevate that layer as a separate flap and to lift up the lower SMAS by advancing and excising redundant SMAS tissue. There is no good study to show that one method is better than the rest. It is true that as one folds over a SMAS versus removing SMAS there is more volume in the region where the SMAS flap is folded over itself. For some patients, this is beneficial as it introduces more volume in the higher layers of the cheek. For some patients, this is not noticeable. Many times it is surgeons preference or training that guide them into the use of one option versus the other. It would be good to question your surgeon regarding these small nuances to hear their opinion with regards to your face.
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