1. What types of face lift surgery are available?

There is both a full face lift and mini facelift, or limited incision facelifts. In some cases we take out skin only and in others we tighten the deep tissue layers and underlying muscle. They can be done alone or in conjunction with a neck lift. It is best to keep the face in balance, so the need to do the face and neck together is decided while examining the patient and discussing exactly what bothers them.


2. Are there other alternative procedures?

Now a days we are doing less surgery and using more fillers. A significant part of aging is facial hollowing. The choices for fillers goes from using the person' s own fat to off the shelf fillers such as the hyaluronic acid products, Artefill (permanent) and Sculptra which can be used to add volume to larger areas of the face.


3. Is face lift surgery painful?

Facelifts do not "hurt" but patients can experience discomfort, tightness and numbness for the first few weeks following the surgery.


4. Can I be awake during face lift surgery?

Facelifts can be done under local or general anesthesia. The choice for which is best can be determined in discussion with the patient. Longer procedures which might include an eyelid lift and or brow lift or any face procedure done in conjunction with a body procedure is best done under a light general anesthestic.


5. What does SMAS stand for?

Superfical Muscular Aponeurotic Substance. This is the deep layer in the face that is continuous with the platysmal layer in the neck that can be tightened during a face and neck lift.


6. What is an endoscopic face lift?

This is a procedure which uses a lighted camera and smaller incisions to lift and tighten the deepest layers of the face. I believe it has limited indications in a select patient population.


7. What is the average cost of face lift surgery?

It depends on whether it is a mini or standard facelift and whether or not there is a neckliift involved. So my price can range from $7,000 to $13,000 just depending on what is involved.