What surgical procedure is doctor KAO talking about when he mentions "the ponytail facelift"?

Question

To me, this sounds like a combination of procedures packaged together and called "the ponytail facelift", in much the same way as "the mommy makeover". Below are some videos of the procedure(s). Can someone look at one or all of the videos at the below links and tell me what procedures are being used to achieve "the ponytail facelift"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQMtN5ulFM Intro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTooGH3ZySk Case Study https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTw-BbZqBsw

William R. Burden, MD, FACS · Answer

One of the basic procedures indicated from the video, in my opinion, is the endoscopic brow and midface lift.  This is an advanced procedure that only a select group of plastic surgeons has been adequately trained and has experience performing.  The other parts of the procedure contribute to the results, but in my opinion, not in a major way.  When considering facial cosmetic surgery, you should focus on the goals of the procedures, not so much the name of the procedure or the celebrity promoting the procedure.The advantage of the procedure is the absence of  an incision across the scalp from ear to ear.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Welcome to the world of plastic surgery marketing. What is most important for you as a patient is to have procedures that are indicated for aesthetic problems that currently bother you.  Packaging a few established procedures under a marketing term as a universal "fix all" is for marketing purposes and may or may not be indicated for you.

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

The money tail face lift is another name for a minimal incision face lift. He is using fat grafts which have a dubious , temporal and iffy long term result. Consider seeing an ASAPS board certified plastic surgeon in consultation. Some docs hire publicists to promote their practice with gimmick names. Good luck...

Thomas Romo, III, MD · Answer

Academically there is nothing called a poneytail facelift. Like all branding, it means whatever the promoter says it is. Like Lifestyle Lift it can mean anything. Get an aging face consult from a local reputable board certified physician

Chia Chi Kao, MD · Answer

Ponytail lift is a minimally invasive multimodality endoscopic facelift that inviloves a endocopic brow rotation, cheek lift, jowl lift fat transfer without traditional facelift incision. We have now 17 years of experience and consecutive case series of over 300 cases with long term follow up. This will be presented at 2017 American Society of Plastic Surgery facelift panel. Thank you for your question.

Michael E. Kelly, MD · Answer

Marketing, marketing marketing.You have to applaud how plastic surgeons are so creative. They think up new names for the same procedures to distinguish themselves from the pack. Dont fall for hype. Seek your physician through his credentials and satisfied patients, make sure he is board certified by an ABMS board. look at photos. Dont fall for gimmicks and marketing.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial photographs of the patient required to make a determination about which is the proper surgical procedure to undergo. Avoid marketing techniques and stick to the basic facts of what each operation can accomplish. Study your prospective surgeon's before and after Facelift photo gallery to get an idea caliber of work that is being performed by that practitioner.

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

It is very interesting the names people come up with for the same operation. Despite what the ponytail the lift may say, he may not do exactly the same thing for every operation. I would suggest finding a board-certified plastic surgeon who can explain to you directly what it is they are doing without trying to coin a clever name and be deceptive.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed SMAS facelifts for over 30 years and have performed many minimally, invasive SMAS facelifts.  There are many different ways to perform a facelift and they are "not" all equal.  Despite the marketing names and phrases, there are primary indications and goals for performing a facelift.    If you have "jowls” these are sagging facial tissues and are the main indication for some form of a SMAS facelift.  The underlying SMAS layer, of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured (not merely folded or suspended with threads or sutures that will not last).  The excess skin is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.
 My most popular facelift is the minimally invasive, short incision facelift that has all the benefits of more invasive facelifts (traditional, mid-face, deep plane, cheek lift and subperiosteal facelifts) but with these added benefits:
very small incisions and no incisions extend or are placed within the hair.
minimal tissue dissection = less bruising and swelling = rapid recovery ( several days instead of weeks or months with the more invasive type facelifts mentioned)
can be performed in 90 minutes or less, with or without general anesthesia
no incisions within the hair = no hair loss
excess fat can be removed from the face and neck
excess skin removed from the face and neck
cheeks, chin and jaw line can be augmented with dermal fillers (I prefer Restylane Lyft) or facial implants
most patients fly back home to parts all over the world in as little as 3 days post-op
 To achieve a naturally, more beautiful/handsome face, I combine facial shaping with every facelift procedure.  When jowls are present, these should be done in concert and not alone or separately in order to create a naturally, more attractive face.
 Following the facial beauty principles that I've developed over the past 30 years, women look the most feminine, youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces.  Heart shaped faces have cheeks that are full and round in the front.  Cheek augmentation with a dermal filler or using cheek implants for a permanent enhancement will create full, round cheeks that will feminize the entire face.
 When the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face.   I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick and highly effective.Hope this helps

What surgical procedure is doctor KAO talking about when he mentions "the ponytail facelift"?

Answers (9)

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