Profound after lower SMAS Lift?

Question

I had a lower SMAS lift about 16 months ago & am struggling because I still have some sag & feel like it could be a little tighter overall. I noticed this right away. I would say my improvement overall is 80-85%…. What are realistic expectations? Would Profound ruin anything in regards to the muscles or work that was done with the lift? The more I’m reading, it’s seems like a deep plane facelift is way better than a SMAS & lasts longer? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Andrew Kornstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Early recurrence of "neck sag" is not uncommon. I believe it is a deep face layer quality issue. Generally speaking, even before one feels that they need a lower face/neck lift the tissues are undergoing rapid aging because of lost antigravity support from the mandible. 
A lower face/neck lift tightens the deep face layer--which is itself weak from gravitational aging. This layer is pulled tight on the OR table but then stretches again during the post operative swelling phase.
Profound performed specifically in the deep facelift layer tightens/shrinks and rejuvenates the deep facelift layer. I use it routinely instead of surgical facelifts and especially after a properly performed deep facelift layer lift. 
With an understanding of facial anatomy there should be no damage to the lower facelift tissues, in fact they will be tightened and rejuvenated.
The deep plane facelift and the SMAS facelift both release the same facial restraining ligaments, enabling redraping of the descended facial tissues. The deep plane keeps the skin connected to the deep facelift layer and the SMAS separates them for a bidirectional pull. I believe the deep plane when properly performed is the better option because of enhanced blood supply when the skin and deep facelift layer are kept as one unit. However not all surgeons perform the deep plane completely(full ligament release to redrape the deep layer) and the same goes for the SMAS.
Let me know if you have any other questions

Celeste Nagy, MD · Answer

Hello, 
My name is Dr. Celeste Nagy and I am facial plastic surgeon. Overall, a deep plane face/neck lift is a more powerful surgery which is what I perform. However, it depends on your needs. The Profound will not "ruin" anything, but it can leave you with more scar tissue. Therefore, if you are considering getting a revision with a deep plane lift, then I would not do the Profound as that will make the dissection more complicated. However, if you just want a minor adjustment, the Profound device is excellent for moderate skin tightening.

Profound after lower SMAS Lift?

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Profound after lower SMAS Lift?

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