A facelift is not a one-size-fits-all type of surgery. Every individual is going to have different concerns and needs as everyone ages differently. Our top Utah facial plastic surgeons specialize in both the traditional UFP facelift, as well as our in-office MACSlift (mini-facelift), to address varying degrees of lower face laxity.
What’s the difference between a facelift and macslift?
Simply put, our traditional facelift is a more comprehensive procedure than our in-office MACSlift. Our UFP facelift is done in a hospital/operating room under general anesthesia and addressed the mid-face, jowls and neck. A MACSlift will address the same areas but is primarily focused on lifting the jowls and will do less for the neck than our UFP facelift. Both procedures are great options for facial rejuvenation and provide beautiful results for the right patients.
A MACSlift, or mini facelift, is usually done in-office with local lidocaine injections, only although some patients opt to still have this done under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical center or hospital. In-office surgical patients are given a prescription for Valium to take 30 minutes prior to surgery to help them relax prior to surgery. Patients typically report no pain during the procedure even though they are awake during the entire process.
On average, our facial plastic surgeons perform approximately 150 surgical “lifts” per year of both types. It’s best to come in for a complimentary consultation to determine which facelift options is right for you.
Will a facelift or macslift last longer?
Both facelift options address the deeper tissues beneath the skin (also known as the SMAS). The SMAS can be cut and removed or sutured together. Completely natural and long-lasting results are achievable with a well performed surgery.
A facelift can last anywhere from 5 to 20 years but even after that time has past, a person will still look younger than they would had they not had facelift surgery. With surgery, the anatomy is changed since the lower face and neck are lifted and restored. But, the patient will continue to age so while there isn’t necessarily a time frame for how long facelift surgery will “last”, a touch-up procedure may be desired at some point. There are things that can be done to enhance and extend the results of a facelift. Such things include occasional in-office treatments (laser treatments, etc.), and a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, no smoking). Genetics also play a roll in how a person will continue to age following facelift surgery.
Is recovery time the same for a facelift and macslift?
The recovery time for both of these procedures does vary. There are less incisions with the MACSlift which means less recovery and downtime than our traditional facelift. MACSlift patients are also allowed to go home immediately after surgery while our surgeons prefer that facelift patients do stay one night in the hospital so they can be looked after closely during the first 24 hours after surgery. On average, a MACSlift requires 2 weeks of downtime while our UFP facelift is approximately 3 weeks of recovery time.
To schedule a complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate for a facelift or MACSlift, please call (801) 776-2220 or contact us HERE.