Facelift vs Face Implants?

Maybe your surgeon has not fully communicated the purpose of either procedure. A facelift addresses the sagging of the aging tissue and may restore (only with a vertical lift instead of a "lower facelift") some volume to the cheek/cheekbone areas as they have deflated and descended. The chin and jawline will probably look sharper with the skin tightening and neck correction. Implants chin, cheek or mandibular address the lack of bony definition and volume. In your case these contour deficiencies if they are bone structure related must have existed since your teenage years. A combination of both procedures can also be necessary if you want to correct at once the bony weakness as well as the effect of aging. Christian Drehsen, M.D. 

Hi Cleardot,
This is a great question. I consider facelift and implants to have two different roles in facial rejuvenation. The facelift will tighten your skin and lift the underlying tissues (often giving you the improvement you're looking for with an implant). In many circumstances, implants can be beneficial in facial cosmetic surgery, however, in my practice, I opt to perform fat grafting at the time of facelift instead since patients like the added effect from liposuction of the abdomen/thighs while avoiding the expense of the implants. I encourage you to seek out a surgeon who is highly trained specifically in aesthetic plastic surgery of the face. Thank you very much for your question. 
Mark G. Albert, M.D.

NYC Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

 

Thank you for this question.  In general, facial implants are used in conjunction with other surgery and usually will not replace a facelift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, etc. That being said if you have skeletal and/or bony deficiency in areas of the face (the jaw line, chin, cheek) then a facial implant is an excellent way to restore this volume loss.  A facial implant can give a more robust jawline at the angle, and can give a stronger chin, which helps to give balance and harmony to the face.The decision as to whether you would benefit from a facial implant should be made after a full evaluation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who has experience with facial rejuvenation surgery.If you have moderate to significant jowling and laxity in the neck and lower face, you most likely would benefit from a face lift.  I would need to see you in person to make this determination, of course.  Again, I would consult with an expert in facial rejuvenation.I hope that this helps!-David Gilpin

In general, implants should be used to augment a facelift and not replace it. If structural deficiencies are present in the facial skeleton, that will impact the degree and duration of a facelift result. I do not generally perform angle implants, as they have a higher complication rate than other types of implants. Chin and Cheek implants tend to perform better in general. The decision of one versus the other is an individualized decision between the surgeon and the patient and can only be determined in a face to face meeting.

Without a photo to evaluate I can not give you a specific answer. However, It is very common to use both at the same time. They do different things and is not an either or situation.  I attached a web reference to demonstrate the importance of implants in face-lifting. The most important thing is to find an experienced facial plastic surgeon that you feel comfortable with and can communicate.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  With that
being said, based on your description alone, you are likely a better candidate for a facelift and necklift.  This can be designed to improve your jawline contour.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Thank you for the question. Facial implants are used to augment the underlying structure of the face (i.e., the skull). These are most often made of silastic (silicone-plastic) and commonly placed in the upper cheeks, chin, and possibly at the angle of the jaw. The implants are indeed permanent -- but that doesn't mean that this tissues around them won't change with age. Facelift and neck lift are surgical procedures that involve release, lifting, and resuspending of the facial tissues in a more youthful position. Facial implants can be performed concurrently with facelift or neck lift, and this is commonly done in the jawline, etc.

Thank you for your question.  Sometimes the effects of the face and neck lift and implants could look confusingly similar.  However there is a significant difference between these two types of procedures.  A facelift will rejuvenate the face without changing it's structure.  In other words, after the procedure your face would look more or less the way it looked 10-15 years ago.  Implants could also make the face appear younger.   However, since the implants change the underlying framework of the face they would also make it appear different.  In addition, rejuvenating effect of implants is not as complete as one would get with the facelift.Looking at the photos that you've previously posted, I believe, the face and a neck lift would be a far better procedure to improve the appearance of your face.Best wishes!Dr. Konstantin 

Dear cleardot,
The implants are very helpful in improving the underlying bony skeleton amd improves the jawline and jawline. It will not address the deep nasolabial folds or neck bending however these can be addressed separately or at the time of surgery.

A facelift accomplishes tightening loose facial and neck skin, tightening loose facial and neck muscles, lifting the jowls, and removing any fatty deposits in the neck in order to rejuvenate the face.  Facial implants in our practice consistent cheek and chin implants.  Chin implants augment the chin forward, while cheek implants augment the mid face and cheek area.  Chin and cheek implants are composed of solid silicone, and can be performed as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination with the facelift.  Each one of these procedures accomplishes different goals, so it is important to sort all of that out at the time of your consultation and examination.  For many  before and after examples of these 3 procedures, please see the link and the video below