Not ready for a facelift but looking for results - what options do I have? (Photo)

Question

Is it time for a facelift or are there other things I can do to improve my look? For my jowls, I have had one treatment of Ellacor Would another treatment of Ellacor benefit? I have also had Sculptra over the last 5 years but would fat transfer help with the lack of fullness on one side of my face? I have been told a Blephoplasty would be of benefit but only for 1 eye. Not sure I feel comfortable with that strategy I don’t feel emotionally and financially ready for a lower facelift yet, but don’t want to have procedures done that will be of little benefit either.

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

You have enough ski. Laxity around the mouth, jowl and neck that your only truly good option is a lower facelift.  It is also more cost effective over the long turn because a skillfully performed deep oak r facelift with last 19-15 year predictably.  fillers or fat by themselves , if added in enough volume to fil out the relaxed skin will not look entirely natural. Smaller volumes will look fine but not give much benefit.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

Based on what you’ve shared, I do feel you would ultimately be an excellent candidate for a deep plane face and neck lift; however, it’s important to move forward with that type of procedure only when you feel both emotionally and financially ready.

In the meantime, there are meaningful, non-surgical and minimally invasive options that can provide improvement without undergoing procedures that offer limited benefit. Rather than a unilateral blepharoplasty, I would be more inclined to recommend a unilateral brow lift, which can address the asymmetry in a more natural and balanced way.

I also agree that restoring volume would be beneficial, particularly in the temple and under-eye areas. This could be accomplished with either fat transfer or injectable fillers, depending on your goals and preferences.

Additionally, CO₂ laser resurfacing could significantly improve skin quality and texture and would complement any of the above treatments well.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo. Based on this single frontal view photo, you would do best with a full facelift, neck lift, upper lip lift and fat transfer to the upper face. The brow and eyelids can be done later. Now you can waste your money on smaller, ineffective procedures like what you have done already, which BTW, will make a facelift more challenging. You do have an asymmetrical face with one side significantly smaller, significant perioral aging, loose ski and platysmal banding in the neck is evident even with your hair arranged to cover these changes. See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced facelift techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Machines don't tighten skin or deep tissue, and volumization (from fillers like Sculptra) don't address soft tissue positional changes associated with aging. You would benefit from a facelift, brow reset, and lid surgery (both eyes would benefit).

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Yes, you are a candidate for a facelift. Since you are not ready for a facelift there is another alternative to consider, which is less expensive and less invasive, is an eccentric lip lift. This does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners. This takes 1 hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $4,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I think that a  blepharoplasty for  both eyes including both upper and lower lids.  Doing only one eye never works out. Benefits are many. Procedure can be done under local anesthesia and recovery is not difficult.  It’s a great place to start and you are a great candidate for it

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on this photo, a combination of face and neck lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty would be your best bet. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with good reputation in facial rejuvenation would help. Good luck.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. Often when you get to the point where you are saying "I want the results of a certain thing, but I do not want to do the certain thing" then you are likely set up to be unhappy going forward. Patients in this situation often spend lots of time and money trying to chase a surgical result with lesser options, only to be disappointed and never get the results they truly want. In the meantime, they waste time and money. My advice is to do some more research into facelift surgery as it might not be as bad as you think! Wait until you are ready to do the thing that is going to give you the results you really want.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Thank you for the great question, which is extremely common.  I wish that there was some amazing intermediary procedure that approximated the results of the facelift, but it doesn't exist.  After having tried a multitude of minimally invasive, energy based, and injectable procedures, my conclusion is that the only pathway for effectively rejuvenating the aging face (descending cheeks, jowls, obliquity in the neck) is with surgery.  My preferred technique is the deep plane facelift.  I would recommend against unilateral upper lid surgery which is likely to enhance asymmetry.  Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty (bilateral) has a high visual/ confidence impact and lower cost than facelift.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on your one posted photo it appears you’re a perfect candidate for at least a mini face neck lift with muscle complication and eyelid surgery along with the Endo laser treatment. Expect those fees to arrange from $10,000-$20,000. Best of virtual concert with doing non-invasive or minimally, invasive procedures are going to be expensive and only very temporary and get very limited results. Best of virtual concert with for more explanations.