I have MCTD. I've aged 15 yrs in 3 years when viewing my face. My sight is being affected. (photos)

During your #consultation, your skin texture and elasticity, as well as your underlying skin structure and your facial bone structure will be evaluated. Based on this evaluation, your board certified plastic surgeons will create a custom surgical plan, detailing specific techniques and recommendations to meet your goals. In doing so, he or she should be sure to have a full understanding of what results you expect. It is possible to #combine #surgeries. In fact, I commonly recommend other procedures to go accompany a facelift, such as blepharoplasty or a midface (cheek) lift, to name a few. The combination of multiple of facial procedures may create an optimal result. The best procedure approach will be discussed in greater detail during your one-on-one #consultation. I invite you to visit PacificCenterPlasticSurgery.com to view a complete list of surgeries commonly performed. 

If you are not a #candidate, your surgeon can make other suggestions to address your concerns and objectives. It is extremely important to seek a board certified plastic surgeon highly trained with your desired procedures. I also encourage you to look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients. Also, reading patient reviews of those who have had combined surgeries will be beneficial. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision.

Thank you for your question. You are a candidate for both facelift and necklift procedures. The necklift procedure will decrease the sagging in your neck while contouring your jawline. The facelift procedure can help with facial sagging, creases below the lower eyelid and along the nose to the mouth edges. It can adjust fat that has fallen or shifted and correct the loss of muscle tone while working in concert with the necklift to smooth the jowls. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.

Best wishes,

Hello and thank you for your question.   You would need to work in conjunction with your medical physician who is treating your MCTD.  Based on your photograph, you may
benefit from a mini facelift with a neck lift.  If good technique is used,
this can be done with minimal scarring and can result in a natural look, not
over-done look, with rejuvenation of your face.  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

Many chronic medical problems can lead to premature aging.  However, MCTD affects multiple organ systems, and hence a detailed consultation with your rheumatologist clearing you for surgery would be necessary.Second, if vision issues are specifically decresed vision secondary to visual field issues, you may benefit from a blepharoplasty.  Third, if your rheumatologist clears you for surgery, a FL would help with the excess skin.  However, you may be at higher risk for wound healing complications.

While it is possible for someone with MCTD to have a facelift, you must first get clearance from your connective tissue disorder specialist. Then, schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to be assessed in person and discuss options. If the excess skin on your eyelids is impairing your vision, this can be corrected at the same time as your facelift.Kindly,Kouros Azar

It is possible to perform a facelift with mixed connective tissue disease. It's also important to obtain medical clearance from your primary care provider before electing to undergo cosmetic facial surgery. In our practice, the goal of a lower face and neck lift is to tighten loose facial and neck skin, tighten loose facial and neck muscles, lift the jowls, and  remove the fatty deposits in the neck. For more information and many examples, please see the video and the link below 

A conference between your plastic surgeon and your connective tissue disorder specialist would be necessary to evaluate your overall health and safety of anesthesia and surgery.  If your visual difficulties are from the excess upper eyelid skin, this can be treated in conjunction with a face and necklift surgery.  I would also recommend that a part of your facelift include autologous fat injections for replacement of loss of volume and the benefits of stem cells in rejuvenating your skin.  You also show signs of jowls and mid facial volume loss that can be improved noticeably to your benefit.  Best of luck,Jon A Perlman M.D., FACSDiplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)ABC-TV Extreme Makeover SurgeonBeverly Hills, California