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It took some time for the surgeons to realise that there are two key processes engaged in aging of the face: the loosening of tissue (gravity effect) and the loss of the tissue volume.

FACELIFT- stands for lifting the loose face tissue. There are several facelift procedures, almost as many as the surgeons working on it!

Analysing the results of almost a hundred year experience and taking into account today’s knowledge of facial anatomy (from only a decade ago) it has become clear that the direction of pull of the loose tissue as well as which tissue structure to pull in order to produce the best facelift result is of a crucial importance.

The other element in the game today is the length of the incision. The aim is to make the incision as short as possible (short scar) for the maximum effect (There will be much more on that at our blog!)

At our clinic we generally use the MACS facelift procedure, which we consider to be anatomy consistent, logical and most effective.

MACS facelift (Tonnard, Verpaele) is one of the facelift procedures. It consists of a short scar and vertical vectors pull up of the loose tissue. Regarding the side effects and benefits to the patient we consider it to be the best option for a facelift. It allows for solving the neck problems in an elegant and natural way in the same time.

The incision is made close to the hairline, follows the ear and ends under the ear lobe. The skin is then prepared and with two to three special stiches the face and cheek tissue is lifted vertically, meaning lifted most naturally, therefore correcting several key structures e.g. nasolabial line, cheek, jaws, neck etc. In the end the skin is vertically lifted, excess skin cut away and then sewed.

MACS POST-TREATMENT

Usually there is no need for hospitalization. The patient can leave with bandages over the operated parts. Next day the patients returns for an important check-up regarding the bruising. The stiches are removed 5 – 7 days following the procedure. Initial swelling and bruising reduce to the socially acceptable level in about fortnight. The results are then clearly visible and are improving by the day.

WHO IS IT FOR?

If you look tired, if the lines are getting deeper or new ones appear, if your neck is wrinkled more that you are comfortable with, if the skin has lost its elasticity and has started to droop, then you are the proper candidate for MACS LIFT.

ADDITIONAL  TREATMENTS

We accompany almost every MACS LIFT with  neck liposuction and lower eyelid correction (pinch blepharoplasty).

Depending on the situation and patient’s wishes, upper lip lift, upper blepharoplasty, croton oil peel Benspeel, forehead and temporal lift could be done as well.

Volume could be added to tissue if needed both using the patient’s fat (microfat, SNIF graft, Nanofat stem cells), or using dermal fillers.

One has to understand, that additional treatments are not considered as individual ones but can multiply the effect of the basic procedure.

 

FACELIFT NOTE

Whether the patient is eligible for the procedure or if there are any risks could be assessed only after a check-up. Lesser complications which are of no consequence on the result, are rare. Serious complications are unusual.

The MACS-lift is a simple and effective face-lift operation that is de­signed to lift the lower two thirds of the face in a relatively straightforward manner with minimal inconvenience for the patient. Only a limited amount of excess skin needs to be removed, and there will be nothing but an inconspicuous scar in the crease in front of the ear. In contrast to most other techniques, this type of face lift can be performed under local anesthesia. Therefore you will not have to be admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay, and you can leave the office shortly after surgery.

The following instructions provide you with important information that you need to know to prepare you for your operation and its postoperative course. Please read these instructions and follow them carefully.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY,

 you should not take any medica­tion containing aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid), since these products affect the blood’s clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery. Taking high doses of vitaminE prep­arations and eating large amounts of garlic can also produce the same result and should be avoided. If pain medication is necessary, we recom­mend that you take ibuprofen/paracetamol.

IT IS IN YOUR OWN BEST INTERESTS TO QUIT SMOKING, at least 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after surgery. It is well known that smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which leads to a decrease of blood supply to the sk.in, thus slowing the healing process.

  • Be sure to inform your surgeon of any medications you take, as well as of possible allergies (to certain medications, Band-Aids, latex, and so on).
  • Your surgeon will decide whether any preliminary examinations are necessary, such as a blood test, an electrocardiogram, or radio­graphs of the lungs. If this is the case, these tests should be per­formed several weeks before surgery.
  • It is best not to wear any makeup when you come in for treat­ment. Wear loose clothing that doesn’t need to be pulled over your hea
  • Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the operation.
  • Make certain you have someone to take you home after surger You are not allowed to drive a car the day of surgery.

ON THE DAY OF THE OPERATION,

the surgeon will explain each step of the procedure, and you will be assisted through out the operation by the nurse. A local anesthetic will be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) with a very fine needle. You will feel the sting and a light burn­ing sensation, but that will disappear almost immediately. The anesthesia will last 2 to 3 hours and will guarantee that you will have a painless operation.

At the end of the operation, a thin tube will be placed under the cheek skin and will stick through the lower end of the wound at the earlobe to drain any blood that might collect there. After finishing the procedure, your face will be cleansed and your head loosely wrapped in bandages. Approximately an hour later, you may’ be taken home.

AFTER SURGERY,

 when you have returned home, you should try to remain as quiet and relaxed as possible. When you lie down, keep your head elevated, because lying flat or bending over will increase the swelling.

If you require pain medication, remember not to take anything con­taining aspirin (salicilic acid). If  you have questions about this, contact the office. Because of the deep stitches, your jaw might hurt when you open your mouth wide. However, that annoying sensation will pass in a few days.

If serious bleeding should suddenly occur within the first few hours after a face-lift procedure, it might be necessary for the surgeon to open up the wound under local anesthesia to stop the bleeding. Ecchymoses (bruises) will occur, but these will fade over the first few weeks. Infec­tions (or inflamations) are rare but when they occur, they can be treat­ed with antibiotics.

ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER SURGERY,

 you need to come to the office for a follow-up visit to remove the bandages and the  plastic tube from the wound. You won’t need any more bandages, and you can take a shower or wash your hair from that point on. Any eyelid stitches will be removed after about 4 days; the rest will be taken out 1 week after surgery. You should be able to go for a walk or shop the day after sur­gery, but you should count on not being socially active for about a week. The swelling will subside after 3 days and will hardly be visible after 1 week to 10 days. After 2 to 3 weeks you will only notice the final results of the operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What results are to be expected?

The results vary. Much will depend on your looks before surgery. In one patient the results may be quite spectacular, whereas in another, results will be more subtle. This can also depend on your specific expectations, as discussed in advance with your surgeon. Signs of aging and weakening of the tissues will definitely be less conspicuous and may often virtually disappear.

You do not have to worry about your individual features or expres­sion. The feared “wind-tunnel” face-lift look, with flattening of the face, is caused by overtightening the skin. However, in a modern face lift and especially in a MACS-lift, the skin is tightened very little. Rather, the surgeon restores the volumes of the subcutaneous tissues, which restores the youthful contours of the face.

How long will the effects last?

You must realize that no plastic surgery procedure can stop time. A face lift can, however, turn back the clock and be effective for a number of years. How long the effects last will also depend on your lifestyle and possible genetic factors. Rest assured that most patients are happy with the results of their face lift for a good many years.