I am researching facelifts and I came across a 3 day facelift , less invasive & downtime. What can you tell me about results?

Question

I am 61 female, fair skin takes care of herself.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

1) Human biology and healing hasn't changed and there is no Surgeon and no facelift technique that is able to circumvent it.  
2) Any procedure that has you looking great in 3 days, will have little to no effect in 300 days
3) Consider your goals: is it less downtime or a substantial result that you are pleased with? You can't have both.
4) At 61, it is highly likely that a deep plane facelift is the indicated procedure to make you feel like the experience was worthwhile. 
4) A 3 day recovery promise is a recycled promise of less downtime.  We've seen this before.

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank You for your query. There are several rapid recovery facelift procedures that use short incisions and limited dissection. Almost half the face-lift procedures that I do now are short incision procedures with rapid recovery and minimal bruising and swelling. The names such as “weekend” facelift and “ 3 day facelift” are to impress the short recovery on the prospective patients, but the actual procedures are tailored to individual requirements. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!

Derek Fletcher, MD · Answer

A well executed facelift that produces lasting results (10 years or more) must address all the key deep structures of the face that contribute to facial aging.  These procedures are time tested, reliable, and can achieve beautiful, long lasting results.  They re-suspend the supporting structures of the face, address the deep structures of the neck, and restore balanced facial volume.   Deep plane lifts are not "mini lifts," "lifestyle lifts," or "3 day lifts."  They require skill and intimate anatomical knowledge on the part of the surgeon.  In addition, they required commitment to a real recovery on the part of the patient.

Over the last 30 years, there have been numerous "minimally invasive," "fast recovery" procedures promoted by many surgeons.  Some of the techniques can help patients in their 30s and 40s age more gracefully.  None of them have been shown to reliably provide lasting results to the average 60 year-old.  They can't provide lasting results because they intentionally do not perform all the maneuvers necessary to do so.  Results from these procedures in your age group often do not last more than a few months.  Correctly performed facelifts are not skin tightening procedures.   Be weary of anyone who suggests otherwise.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

A basic rule of thumb is a mini procedure leads to a mini result. So if you have significantly heavy jowls and neck, the long term result of a 3 day lift will probably not be good. But if you have minimal loosening, it could work well. Just be sure to see a couple facial specialists to get good opinions.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. The short answer: Who knows? The "3 day facelift" is a marketing term, not a surgical technique. My guess is that it falls into the same category as a "mini facelift", "weekend lift", "lifestyle lift", etc. These procedures are essentially removing and then pulling on the skin around the ears, resulting in expensive scars for modest results. The reason the procedure is "less invasive" and there is less downtime is because the surgeon is not actually performing the dissection required to tighten and/or re-suspend the SMAS (a deeper layer of the face). Patients undergoing these types of facelifts are the most likely to seek revision work within a short period of time because the results fall short of expectations.
Best,Dr. Tower

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

All facelifts require some amount skin elevation, removal and tightening.  In addition, the deeper layer of the face, the SMAS, is also sutured to straighten the jawline, smooth the platysma muscle bands in the neck and excess fat is removed to contour the neck.  The extent of the surgery depends upon what needs to be treated.  A fit person with minimal jowls, minimal lax skin or platysma muscle banding in their neck, can achieve an excellent result with an abbreviated operation.   However, all areas which were operated on need time to heal to minimize the risk of bleeding, etc.  it doesn’t matter what technique is used, your body is still only heals at a certain rate.  Most surgeons would agree that a minimum of two weeks and more likely three weeks is required to allow someone who has had a facelift to fully heal up before they can resume normal activities. 3 days is too short and increases the risk of problems.  Best wishes.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I’m sure this is just a marketing thing to attract patients. I would be interested in how exactly it differed from a standard facelift and what does 3 days really mean?  Remember if it sounds too good to be true

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, surgical procedures that are less invasive and have less downtime are less effective in terms of results.  Photos or an examination of you would be helpful to give you more advice as to which procedure might be best for you.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

As a 61 year old female you are probably good candidate for face lift; the best one can quest considering that you did not provide photos. It would be in your best interest to keep searching for a board certified plastic surgeon with excellent reputation in face/neck lifts. That is a serious surgery and you have to be very selective. Hope this helps.

Jared Blau, MD · Answer

I do a lot of facelifts and haven't heard of this "3 day" term. The usual facelift recovery is the dressing is removed at 1 day, most of the stitches removed at 7 days, and a few final ones removed at 14 days. Most people can resume mostly normal activities after a few days, but there will be some bruising which lasts for 1-2 weeks. I don't recommend doing the least involved procedure for the lesser results. A real facelift can last 10+ years.