MACS facelift vs full blown facelift?

It is unfortunate that this was your experience. Although most do not have the extended recovery that you mentioned what I have learned in my more than 25 yrs of facelifting and especially with the MACS technique is that it has to be done for the right person, that swelling and bruising varies dramatically between patients and often depends on keeping your blood pressure low normal, prevention of nausea and vomiting, not taking OTC and other meds that cause bruising before and after surgery, and sleeping in a reclining chair most of your first week, and skill and experience of the surgeon among other factors. 

Patients who desire facial rejuvenation that is affordable, quick, and effective should consider the Lite-lift™. The LiteLift™ is an innovative facelift developed by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Larry Nichter and myself which benefits many male patients. The goal of the #LiteLift is to provide a less invasive natural looking option for both men and women desiring to refresh their appearance with less downtime and risks. The LiteLift® is a “real” facelift, which does address the underlying muscle, tissue and overlying skin.The technique requires limited incisions and takes a vertical lifting approach, in contrast to the traditional facelift, which requires extensive incisions and lifts or pulls the face towards the ears horizontally. The modern techniques used allow us to perform most LiteLift® procedures in the office under local anesthesia. Also, removing the risk of general anesthesia opens the door for more people to pursue facial surgery. All too often people do not move forward with undergoing the desires facelift surgery due to their overwhelming fear of the risks associated with general anesthesia.

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 non-smoking patients 35-60 years old with stable skin elasticity, well-defined bone structure but showing 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™. All in all, Lite Lift™ surgery is individualized for each patient. 

Although I am not a big fan of the MACS lift in my practice, it is certainly possible to obtain a great result with this technique if you have the correct indications and if you have the right surgeon. I think a great alternative to such minilift procedures is a modified facelift with extensive lateral platysmaplsty.  The skin and SMAS are elevated in a composite fashion and the posterior platysma is undermined extensively to help improve definition in the neck.  However, if you have more extensive changes in the neck, a more standard composite facelift with anterior platysmaplasty is more appropriate.