Types of Facelifts
The Mini-Facelift (a.k.a. S-Lift or J-Lift) places incisions in front of the ear only. There is less surgery involved. The Mini-Facelift does not address the neck laxity as effectively as the classical facelift.
The classical facelift involves incision into the temporal hair region, in front of and behind the ear. A facelift can offer dramatic results by diminishing jowling, neck laxity and cheek folds.
The VIP (Vectors in Plane) Facelift
The Four Dimensional VIP Facelift utilizes sophisticated, high-tech instrumentation to allow the skin and muscle facelift to evolve to a completely new and revolutionary level. Several principles are utilized.
- ...Good form follows good function. Problems with the old techniques of facelifts revolved around improper positioning of the skin and muscle which overtime descended due to gravity and laxity of the collagen matrix, or the scaffolding complex of the skin. Aging pushes the skin down and forward. The classical facelift address only the downward sagging skin. Often, the classical facelift gives patients developed the “unnatural, operated “ look because the vector of the pull of the tissues was straight back, instead of back and up. The Four Dimensional VIP Facelift addresses this issue by repositioning the tissues back and up.
- ...Reposition and add to before you take away. The traditional techniques always applied a stretch to the tissues and then involved a removal of “excess.” This is a false pretence. We do not typically grow “excess” skin as we age (unless accompanied by large weight gain) in the facial tissues. Rather a laxity of the collagen matrix occurs and the underlying skeletal structure resorbs, or melts away with time, much like elderly family members seem to get shorter every year. Therefore it is logical to address the aging effects of skin laxity with the skin-tightening effects of the laser to tighten the collagen matrix and consider adding volume by augmentation of the resorbing skeletal features with biocompatible implants or grafting techniques. These are minor parts of the procedure that yield tremendous rejuvenating effects!
- ...Consider the face as a whole and don’t divide it into anatomic parts. As analytical surgeons and as artists, we learn to study the symmetry of the face in parts: the forehead, the eyes, the cheeks, the nose, the lips, the mouth, the chin and the neck. We have been trained in multiple techniques in order to address these “parts” of the face that patients want addressed. The problem is that the over thirty muscles of facial expression don’t adhere to this division of anatomy. That is to say that the bone, skin and muscles are all connected and if we effect change on one part, it may adversely effect change or prevent change as desired. The whole face is greater than the sum of the parts. Dramatic results are achievable with addressing the entire face as is done in the Four Dimensional VIP Facelift
The components of the complete Four Dimensional Facelift include an endoscopic brow/midface lift, a multivector/mulitlayer face and neck lift and facial laser resurfacing. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art surgical center. Additionally patients may benefit from simultaneous eyelid lifts or chin or cheek augmentation. For patients who have limited skin laxity, a Three Dimensional Facelift may be performed which does not utilize the component of laser resurfacing. The finesse of this procedure involves a tailoring of the technique to each individual in order to achieve long-lasting, natural-appearing rejuvenated results.
Before Surgery
We will evaluate your medical history in order to determine your overall health.
Dr. Tye will discuss with you how your face can look and what you can expect from surgery. Our objective is to create a natural appearance that is pleasing to you. Before and After photographs will reveal what the surgery has accomplished.
Preoperative Instructions: Avoid drugs that contain aspirin several weeks prior to surgery to minimize excess bleeding. You will be required to take antibiotics to prevent infection. You will be instructed to shampoo your hair with an antibacterial wash the night before surgery. A small amount of hair may be shaved around your ears and temples.