Mini Lift V Mid Face Lift?

Great question. With all the marketing you hear, it is certainly confusing out there, isn't it? Here is your answer in a nutshell: A minilift is a procedure usually performed under local anesthesia. The incision is placed in front of the ear and just around the earlobe. The skin is lifted and sutures placed to pull back the jowls. The extra skin is removed. A mini-lift is a jowl lift. A midface lift is completely different. Usually an incision is made in the mouth and in the temporal hairline. The "apple" of the cheek is pulled superiorly by means of a suture or other technique. A midface lift repositions fallen cheek tissue. A mid-face lift is a cheek "apple" lift.

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, there is a lot of variation in facelift terminology. This is very confusing for patients. It is also confusing for surgeons, as we are not entirely consistent as a specialty in when we refer to facelift procedures. The facelift procedure is the definitive procedure in facial rejuvenation. It usually involves some degree of elevation of the skin in front of and behind the ear and some form of tightening of the underlying support layer, the SMAS. There are also more limited incision facelifts of various types, commonly referred to as “mini-lifts”. Theoretically, these procedures may require less recovery as less tissue is manipulated. The downside is that they can leave your face looking “unfinished”. If you require a neck lift, you also have aging changes in your mid-face that may benefit from surgery to achieve balance. In any case, I don’t think that the recovery is necessarily significantly better than with a full face. It is possible to be out and about in public in a week or so after a facelift. I would consult with an experienced facelift surgeon to go over the options.

A person’s age is best guessed by the appearance of their face. If you feel that your face does not reflect how young you feel inside, you may be a candidate for a facelift.During your #consultation, your skin texture and elasticity, as well as your underlying skin structure and your facial bone structure will be evaluated. Based on this evaluation, your board certified plastic surgeons will create a custom surgical plan, detailing specific techniques and recommendations to meet your goals. In doing so, he or she should be sure to have a full understanding of what results you expect.If you are not a #candidate, your surgeon can make other suggestions to address your concerns and objectives.Patients who desire facial rejuvenation that is affordable, quick, and effective should consider the Lite-lift™. Like the Life-Style™ facelift, this is a modified facelift that can be performed in the office with a local anesthetic and improve signs of aging around the neck, jawbone and lower face. These procedures are not "Thread-lifts" or "String-lifts". We do not use the "barbed" sutures employed in these other lifting operations. The Lite-lift™ uses longer lasting techniques that are discussed below. Because the incisions are limited, there is less bruising, swelling and healing time for most patients. Many patients can be back to work in one to two weeks looking rested and more youthful.The best candidates for #LiteLift are patients 35-60 years old with early changes of the lower face and the neck. Older patients who cannot or do not wish to have a longer operation or general anesthetic can be improved with a Lite Lift™.Lite Lift™ surgery is individualized for each patient. The best candidates for Lite Lift™ surgery have a face and neck line beginning to sag, but whose skin has elasticity and whose bone structure is well defined and do not smoke.

It's difficult to give an answer without some photo's, and subject to consult you should be able to get the results you want.If your skin is loose, sagging or creating the appearance of jowls you may be a good candidate for Concept™ Facelift Surgery. This type of Rhytidectomy is unique as the facelift is performed under local anaesthetic, and is less invasive than traditional methods, meaning the cosmetic surgery has a significantly faster recovery time.The cosmetic procedure is similar to a mini facelift as it is performed with a short scar that runs in front of the ear, down to the ear lobe and tucked behind the ear. There will be no dressings or drains afterwards. This is performed as a day case, walk in-walk out procedure with minimal bruising and downtime.Do your homework and find a qualified and reputable surgeon. Best of Luck

Indeed, there are many versions of facelift being promoted and it can be confusing. It is very hard to sort out what is promotion and what are realistic results.  First, choose an experienced board-certified surgeon who should show a range of results with before and after pictures. There should be a careful explanation, aided by pictures, of what to expect in terms or extent of improvement, recovery, longevity, and limitations.

A “mini” lift will often give a “mini” result that may not last because it relies on sutures to pull up structures without actually repositioning them. When the sutures pull through or release, the result can be lost, even within months of the procedure. Because some tissues are more mobile than others, this may result in uneven tension, leaving you with an unnatural appearance.  There are many mini-lift techniques and, in general, they are best used for small changes or revisions.  

A mid-face lift addresses aging changes of the cheeks and nasolabial folds, and may be part of a lower facelift that addresses both the neck and the cheek, or target the cheek alone. Again, there are a variety of techniques.

Thank you for your question. The names are just marketing terms and you need to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for facelift needs.  Many "various marketing names" of the "facelift" is trying to offer something new for less.  The key things to ask for are if your muscles will e tightened, if needed, and if the neck bands need to be tightened, and if so, how will they be fixed.  A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is trained to do this.  Many non-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon doing this procedure did not do a residency in facelift techniques, and they do an abbreviated version, including no muscle tightening, no tightening of the bands.  We see many facelifts people are dissatisfied with because they only lasted a year or two.  See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, and they can do a real facelift for you if you need one.   I hope this helps

I'm not sure there is a specific answer to your question. Any operation should be tailored to the aesthetic needs of the patient. You would be best served by someone who is capable of performing any type of facelift.

There can be a lot of confusion about the different types of procedures.  The mini facelift is a procedure for someone with sagging skin along the lower face and jaw line.  It is appropriate for people who are just beginning to experience signs of aging but do not have a droopy neck and do not wish to undergo a full facelift.  The midface lift targets areas around the cheeks and folds between the nose and corners of the mouth.  Small incisions are made in the hairline and an endoscope is used to dissect and elevate the cheek tissue.  So both procedures are very effective, just for different areas of the face.  The best way to find out which procedure is for you is to see a board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon.
 

 

There are many types of face lifts - i will make a few comments then tell you my bias

 

Mini refers to shorter scars (however it usually only subtracts the scars that are well hidden with a full facelift anyhow, those behind the ear and in the scalp - so I don’t see the point, usually)

 

mini might also refer to less done underneath (i.e. limited smas plication or excision)

 

in most cases I favor a full lift, with smas and platysma flap (lifts the midface well), direct submental lipectomy via submental incision), and midline platysmaplasty

 

the mistake many people make is thinking "less" equals more natural. I happen to think that frequently that is false. it’s a complex issue, but think of it this was. if you try to make a small to moderate change in a limited part of the face, is that natural. I think it creates a distinction between what has been changed and what has not.

 

on the other hand, if you make precise and meaningful changes in multiple areas of the face all at once (i.e. a well-executed full facelift) the changes are complementary and thus the result in more natural. my opinion only. seek medical advice from a surgeon you are working directly with.

 

 

Hi LisaFla,

  You realy should not get confused with the multitude of technical names. A picture of your face will help to give you a more specific recommendation. In general, a face lift procedure should be effective in rejuvenation and have natural look,  low risk and minimal down time. If you are young middle age, a partial MACS lift will help with improvement of the folds and fill the tear trough , cheek groove and indentation under the lower eye lids. In more advanced aging that includes jowels and cheek hollownes, an extended MACS lift will be necessary. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who is familiar and experienced with that technique.

          Best of luck,

                      Dr Widder

A variety of terms have been used to describe facelift techniques.  My advice would be to identify the concerns you have with your appearance during your consultation and listen to the description of the options for improvement that are presented to you rather than focusing on terminology.  A plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery will be able to discuss the alternatives that will work best for your specific needs.