Understanding Different Facelift Techniques (and a couple more things...)
I've been asked about the differences between the different facelift techniques so many times, it's long overdue for me to write about this.
When I asked Dr. Lev to explain about the three different "main" facelift techniques, he started to explain it to me in medical terms with a lot of big words that I didn't understand. I asked him to PLEASE explain it to me as if I'm the absolute dumbest human on the planet and I took notes even though he couldn't help but throw in a few medical terms (What could I do? He's a doctor!!!)
Ok so here goes...
THE THREE "MAIN" FACELIFT TECHNIQUES ARE...
-
The "mini" lift or "facelift light"
The least invasive, not very long lasting, shortest time in the OR, in many cases performed-under- local-sedation facelift technique.
It's actually an "outdated"technique and involves just the separation of the skin from the subcutaneous tissues and then the pulling of the skin. The patient is told they can return to work after a week. I've actually heard from patients over the years that they were told they could return to work after 4 days and are sent home the day of the procedure.
Dr. Lev does NOT do this facelift technique. -
The SMAS lift
The next facelift technique is called the SMASECTOMY otherwise known as the "SMAS" lift. This is a major surgery performed under general anesthesia and takes about 6 hours, give or take. Obviously this is a much more invasive surgery, but provides natural, long lasting results. This method involves the separation of the skin from a layer of fat from the deep subcutaneous tissue.
The deep subcutaneous tissue is called the "SMAS" which is very strong tissue that allows the surgeon to pull in a vertical direction that achieves a vertical restoration of the sagging tissues. This technique gives more flexibility and control to the surgeon and is the strongest way of tightening the deep subcutaneous tissues of the face. It also allows the surgeon to pull the skin in a more natural way.
Dr. Lev prefers this method for two main reasons. First, this technique has stood the test of time with regard to reliability, a natural, lasting and durable result. Secondly, the risk of nerve damage is less than the deeper plane facelift. -
The DEEP PLANE lift
This technique is touted as the best one to achieve a better result compared to the SMAS lift. While Dr. Lev does know how to perform this technique, but this technique is not for everyone. Dr. Lev would have to see you in person to determine if you are actually a good candidate for this technique. Age, skin condition, thickness, elasticity, general health and fitness, etc are all factored into his assessment of whether or not you are a good candidate for this technique. So at your face to face consultation appointment with Dr. Lev the day or two prior to surgery, he will tell you which technique he feels would bring you the best possible result.
Only in the last few years the hype for the "Deep Plane" technique has filled the airwaves and cyberspace and has managed somehow to convince patients that it's the "be all, end all" of facelift techniques. It may be for some patients, but not for others. Like I said, that determination will be made at your consultation appointment with Dr. Lev. He has always been guided in his medical practice by what he feels will bring the patient the best result for him or her, with the least amount of risk for complications.
I hope this helps to give you a better understanding of your facelift technique options.
By the way, regardless of the technique you choose, there are always patients who are not 100% happy with their results. The results from any facelift technique depend on:- A. Expectations. If you have unrealistic expectations, no doubt, you will be disappointed.
- B. The quality of your skin
- C. Your age
- D. Your ethnicity
- E. Your coloring
- F. Your general health
- G. Your weight
- H. Your behavior. Yes you heard me. In the beginning stages of the 6-month healing process, you must follow Dr. Lev's protocols, starting with arriving in San Jose, Costa Rica at least two days prior to surgery and staying in one of the two recovery places we've worked with for years, at least 12 days post op.
In addition, I'd like you to bear in mind that plastic surgery is not a "perfect science" by any "stretch" of the imagination, and truth be told it is nothing less than a partnership between the surgeon and the patient.
Not following Dr. Lev's pre and post op orders can easily compromise his beautiful work. For instance , If you bring a friend (or relative) with you and they're not having surgery, and he or she gets bored after 10 minutes of watching you rest and sleep and then when you open your eyes a little, convinces you to get up, dressed and go shopping, or sightseeing or dancing or going to the beach with said "friend" or how about going zip lining in the Cloud Forest, there's about a 75/25 chance you will either set your healing process back to square ZERO, drop from exhaustion on your tour/walk/shopping outing or end up back in the OR on your dime so Dr. Lev and his team can gather together again for the purpose of repairing and stitching you back up again.
Listen, if you're interested, I've got some "fun-not-so-fun" stories if you ever would like to hear some. Just ask me. I'm more than happy to share.
Oh by the way, you wanna know what I tell patients when they tell me things like, "I'm too scared to travel alone or be alone in a foreign country without my family" or "my husband is upset with me for doing this and we've had arguments about it for weeks and now he's not talking to me" or "my husband won't allow me to go without him" or "I'm just so scared of this, just the thought of it is paralyzing me," or "If I can't bring my dog with me, he and I will be freaked out every day for two weeks worried about each other!" Or here's my favorite, "Well, I don't really want to do this but my husband/boyfriend wants me to have bigger boobs". I strongly suggest that those patients go elsewhere for their surgery. If they still want to go, I tell them that Dr. Lev won't take their case.
With the person who is doing this for her husband because he wants her to have bigger boobs, I give her the Domestic Abuse Hotline number.
If you'd like to take a deeper dive, you can visit our website eternallyvain.com. There are some things there that might interest you.
Be well. Stay safe and healthy. And smile as often as possible. I don't see too many smiles these days out there in the world. Everyone is looking like they just lost their best friend, Fido! All these mouth corners turned down make people appear angry and/or sad. I wish they knew that a smile is their best accessory because it's not only free of charge, it actually goes with every outfit, even if you're not wearing any outfit at all! Without costing a penny, it makes your face prettier or more handsome instantly. And…it also makes people smile back at you!
Love, Didi