Three years after Macs lift, not happy. Any suggestions?

Patients who desire facial rejuvenation that is affordable, quick, and effective should consider the Lite-lift™. The LiteLift™ is an innovative facelift developed by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Larry Nichter and myself which benefits many male patients. The goal of the #LiteLift is to provide a less invasive natural looking option for both men and women desiring to refresh their appearance with less downtime and risks. The LiteLift® is a “real” facelift, which does address the underlying muscle, tissue and overlying skin.The technique requires limited incisions and takes a vertical lifting approach, in contrast to the traditional facelift, which requires extensive incisions and lifts or pulls the face towards the ears horizontally. The modern techniques used allow us to perform most LiteLift® procedures in the office under local anesthesia. Also, removing the risk of general anesthesia opens the door for more people to pursue facial surgery. All too often people do not move forward with undergoing the desires facelift surgery due to their overwhelming fear of the risks associated with general anesthesia.

This is a modified facelift that can be performed in the office with a local anesthetic and improve signs of aging around the neck, jawbone and lower face. These procedures are not "Thread-lifts" or "String-lifts". We do not use the "barbed" sutures employed in these other lifting operations. The Lite-lift™ uses longer lasting techniques that are discussed below. Because the incisions are limited, there is less bruising, swelling and healing time for most patients. Many patients can be back to work in one to two weeks looking rested and more youthful.The best candidates for #LiteLift are non-smoking patients 35-60 years old with stable skin elasticity, well-defined bone structure but showing early changes of the lower face and the neck. Older patients who cannot or do not wish to have a longer operation or general anesthetic can be improved with a Lite Lift™. All in all, Lite Lift™ surgery is individualized for each patient.

I am sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction. I would recommend for you to have a formal consultation with a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon. MACS lift are intended to be a type of mini-facelift. Mini-facelifts have minimal access and minimal results. Your lift can be converted into a formal facelift. Please consult with someone with experience in revision facelift.Hope this helps,Dr. Gus Diaz

I'm sorry you haven't had the results you hoped for. The MACS lift is a great technique for improving the jawline and the jowels but not that great for the neck area (unless you have an 'extended' MACS). It's variable how long a MACS 'lasts' but 3 years is probably at the lower end of the timescale. It may not mean that the surgery was no good but may be to do with your age/skin type etc...Do you mean 'marionette' lines from the corner of the mouth to the chin? Again, these are not very well addressed with the MACS. It's not too bad for those, but I find some additional fat grafting  to the cheek area and deeper lines invaluable as an adjunct to get a really nice natural result. Depending on how much tightening you want in your neck, a full facelift or anterior platysmaplasty may be what you are looking for.Best of luck

There are many reasons why you may be unhappy with the result. The duration of a facelift may depend on your age and skin laxity as well as the specific problems of your neck and jawline. If you have a platysma band in the neck you may need a direct approach beneath the chin to repair the platysma muscles. A tightening of the SMAS along the jawline and neck from the area around the ear may also be necessary. There is no evidence that a deep plane facelift is more effective or more natural. Far grafting is helpful in the cheek area and around the eyes.Either way the likelihood is that you will benefit from further surgery. Consult with at least three surgeons. Ensure that they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and that they have extensive face-lift experience. 

3 years is very standard for the duration of most of the Facelifts in the world.  These facelifts are either macs or other SMAS pull type lifts.  They are quoted to last 8-10 years but that is more accurately the time patients seek revision actually even though the lift fell back down 5-7 years earlier.   None of these lifts do much to change the face which is why they are all called lower Facelifts and they are combined with midface lifts or fat grafting.  My recommendation on all revision or secondary facelifts is to see a specialist who can perform a facelift with more release, more movement and less tension.  An extended deep plane facelift allows for this and gives a much more natural appearance.  Especially on a revision where some surgeons may make you look too done 

I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy with the results of your MACS lift. This is a good method for tightening of the jaw line, however, the result also depends on the skin and tissue quality. You may consider having a revision with further face lift procedure and may want to also consider having fat transfer to the Merionnet lines. There may also be options of non surgical treatments to improve the appearance of your face. Looking younger is usually achieved with changing a number of different aspects ( skin quality , texture, volume in cheeks ) as well as surgical tightening.