Thinking of getting a face/neck lift. Could I get away with something less invasive? (Photo)

Thank you for your question! This is a very common question amongst patients who have noticed changes that bother them but don't know if they are ready for surgery. I tell my patients that non-surgical and surgical treatments are really treating different things and it really depends on their goals. Some patients are okay with slight improvements and some patients would like more dramatic improvements. There is absolutely no comparison in results from a face/necklift and non-surgical procedures. Regarding your neck, there is no non-surgical procedure that would be able to tighten your skin and reduce the midline fullness to the degree a necklift would provide. However, there are some devices such as a sofwave and ultherapy that can make small improvements. Regarding your jowls, these can only be lifted with a facelift. I have seen some patients with filler in the jawline to camouflage jowls, but I feel adding volume to the lower third of the face tends to widen it and masculinize the face. It is very common for patients to have tried several non-surgical treatments (ultherapy, fillers) and later decide they want something more to meet their goals. Adding significant volumes of filler and having multiple non-surgical energy device treatments may cause some difficulties with wound healing after surgery. Therefore, I tell my patients to stop these non-surgical treatments (besides botox) if they know surgical options are in their future. Regarding your lower eyelids, you have pseudoherniation of fat causing the hollow areas which is best addressed by a lower blepharoplasty to reposition this fat. Occasionally patients can get by with a small amount of filler in this area when there is only a slight hollow (typically patients in their 20-30s). Patients that have had filler in the under eye region could have a prolonged period of swelling after surgery so I typically do not recommend this. There are no patients that need cosmetic surgery, so it just depends how much your lower eyelids bother you. Lastly, a facelift would not address your lip lines. The best for lip lines is laser resurfacing with a fractionated CO2 laser. This can be performed at the same time as a facelift and would not increase your recovery. If you are going to laser the lip lines then I typically offer to do the whole face since it helps with pigmentation and fine lines that a facelift does not address and does add a significant amount of operative time or cost. I would consult with several surgeons either in person or virtually and look at their before and after pictures to ensure they can provide the results you are looking for. This is a very personal decision so you should feel very comfortable with your choice. Good luck!

Dear @MGIZ, thank you for your question. Based on the photos, I consider that the results you want can be achieved with a facelift for your second and third face thirds, and the first neck third. In this type of intervention, it is important to develop a surgical plan that takes into account the relationship between the treated ares and the other face areas to achieve a balanced and harmonious result. There is also the option of non-surgical treatments, which in addition to surgery will provide a natural and lasting facial rejuvenation. I suggest fillers such as hyaluronic acid or biostimulators such as Radiesse to work the under eye are giving greater hydration and luminosity. A consultation is vital to establishing a surgical plan that meets your needs, meets your expectations, and takes into account what is possible.

Best regards. Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Member of the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS), Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), Member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP).

Overall the quality of your skin ( few wrinkles except the upper lip) but the early jowls and changes in the neck can only successfully be dealt with by surgery( lower facelift including neck). The lines I. The lips can be helped substantially with a combination of small amounts of fat and resurfacing. The overall appearance of your lips in terms of fullness will not change unless you want to. You would also be a good candidate for a lower lid blepharoplasty.

A facelift and neck lift would be the best option to achieve overall facial rejuvenation, as they effectively address sagging skin, improve definition along the jawline, and restore a more youthful appearance. While less invasive treatments like fillers or skin resurfacing may provide temporary improvement, they do not address deeper structural changes or skin laxity the way a facelift does. A facelift & neck lift primarily focuses on lifting and tightening the mid, lower face, jawline, neck which can create a smoother, more refreshed look.

Based on your photos I would recommend a face and necklift. I think a deep plane face and necklift will significantly reduce the jowls, anterior neck bands and improve the jawline. I don't think anything less invasive like fillers or lasers would make a significant difference. I do see the lower eyelid bags and I would recommend a lower blepharoplasty with fat repositioning to help smooth the junction between the mid face and eyelid. This will give the most natural and rejuvenated result. Hope that helps.
Best,Matthew Tamplen Md

A deep plane facelift procedure will lift your upper cheeks and lower face and neck area. The effect on the upper cheek will improve the deep tear trough and oribitomalar lines. I would recommend fat grafting in this area to ensure the lines are corrected.

The lower eyelids have excess fat that needs a blepharoplasty. For the loose skin a non invasive tightening can be done with Sofwave. For the lip vertical lines fillers are the best option. Some lasers can help but alone cannot eliminate the lines.
Regards
Dr. J

The patient requires a face and neck lift with lower blepharoplasty, lip lift and facial lipo injection. However, you can experience an aesthetic improvement with botulinum toxin, fillers, collagen production stimulators, laser treatments, etc., being temporary and high-cost treatments without the spectacular results of facial surgery.

The best way to treat the vertical lip lines is with an ablative laser such as erbium or carbon dioxide.

You are a suitable candidate for a total facelift; this procedure aims to provide a youthful appearance by targeting deep sagging in the face and neck. I recommend a lip lift to reduce the distance between your lips; this will create a fuller look and make your facial expression appear more vibrant. For the eye area, I suggest blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery); this procedure will address puffiness and excess skin on the lower eyelids, giving you a more refreshed look. From your photos, it seems like surgical intervention is the best approach as less invasive procedures may not be sufficient.
A physical examination is crucial for these procedures, as each individual’s facial anatomy is unique, and it is necessary to determine the most suitable methods for your specific needs. A facelift targets deep sagging rather than superficial lines; however, you will notice a reduction in surface lines as a result of the surgery. Additionally, fat injections can help enhance the volume of the face, contributing to a plump and youthful appearance.

Hi there!
The surgical route provides more predictability and correction. You would benefit from a face/neck lift with fat grafting. You may benefit from a lower blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) as well but an in person examination is necessary to determine for sure. Fat grafting also improves the appearance of the lower eyelids.
It is important not to pull so tight with a facelift that it distorts your mouth, therefore, the facelift does not correct vertical lip lines (directly above and below the lips). For the right candidate, a CO2 laser at the time of surgery is great at addressing these!
Alternatively, you may consider a nonsurgical treatment such as Sofwave and in-office skin treatments such as BBL Hero/Moxi. The downside to the noninvasive treatments is results are much more subtle and less predictable.
KEY - Surgery can be thought of as "tailoring" a shirt, whereas the noninvasive options are throwing the shirt in the dryer on high heat.
Hope this helps!