What is a Weekend Facelift?

Minilifts, as you know if you have read my previous posts, are marketing genius, and patient nightmares.
The pulling of a minifacelift is intense around the minimally undermined skin, so scarring is often wide and painful.
You can read about the experience of having a minifacelift under local anesthesia. Few patients describe it as pleasant.
The effectiveness around the jowl and neck area is often minimal, simply because the surgeon isn't nearly done when the operation is over, and all the deep tissues that could have been raised and repositioned remain untouched..
Patients who choose minilifts often do so because of the price. That makes the patient economically that much farther from an experienced facelift surgeon if they are not happy with their results and need a revision, or notice that the results faded so quickly. Redong a badly done facelift requires greater expertise than performing a first time facelift, especially if earlobe, hairline, tragus, direction of pull, and scarring are to be revised.
Minilifts have their place, but usually for very minimal signs of aging, and are usually best done in conjunction with SMAS manipulation and repositioning, or in cases or revision where the primary work was well done and slightly more tightening is needed.
Ancillary procedures such as volume replacement, adjustment of lips, frown lines, brow position, eyelid and cheek architecture are just as important as the facelift itself in most cases.
The recovery of a simple facelift, properly done, by a facelift expert is no different than a minilift, and the skill and artistic level is higher.
Since large marketing companies have very glitzy before and after pictures, decision making for patients is difficult. Read carefully what other patients have said online about their experiences, and decide accordingly.

Hi,  Thanks for the question!
A weekend facelift is usually a very minor nip/tuck which delivers quick and temporary results but personally I feel it does not really offer a good value to the patient. 
The most important thing during any operation is your safety. Many surgeons have various marketing terms or gimmicks to attract patients. Others may cut corners to offer “mini-lifts” under local anesthesia in their office to save cost, but this delivers inferior cosmetic results at best and the worst case scenario can pose significant risk to you as a patient.
My preference for you would be to seek a plastic surgeon who performs a proper facelift in an accredited surgery center where an M.D. anesthesiologist oversees your care along with a full staff of operating room nurses and techs who are dedicated to your safety.
Best Wishes,



K. Chopra, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon

Johns Hopkins Trained

Face, Body and Breast Expert

I would not recommend a "weekend" facelift. For good long-lasting results, a comprehensive facelift is the ideal procedure.