MACS Face Lift or Mini Face Lift

Technical name: MACS Facelift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension)
Body Parts: Wrinkles of the face and neck
Recommended Age: 45 years of age and up
Anesthesia: Local (in most cases)
Surgery time: On average 1 hour
Clinic stay: From 8-24 hours
Scar: Discrete, partially hidden
Pre-operative: Lab exams and photographic archive
Post-operative: Bandage protecting the scar
Recuperation period: 2 - 3 days. Avoid sun-tanning for the first couple of months
Results Duration: about 10 years

What is MACS Face Lift?

Perhaps the most recent acquisition of modern plastic surgery, the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery follows the trend of procedure simplification. With only small incisions "within the ear", virtually invisible, and with 2 to 3 days of recovery, the result from the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery is an extraodinary facial rejuvenation.

The MACS facelift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension), or mini lift surgery is an advanced technique for natural facial rejuvenation. The MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery has, above all, an effect on the jaw line and sagging cheeks.

The MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery is less drastic than the classic facelift procedure. The MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery guarantees lasting results, a smaller incision and thus a quicker recovery process. The “mini” in mini lift surgery therefore stands for mini scars and mini recovery period!

Who is the best candidate for MACS Facelift?

You may be a candidate for MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery if you have a mild to moderate loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck.

If you have jowls and deep creases between the base of the nose and corners of the mouth, or if you have developed facial and neck wrinkles, then you may also benefit from a MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery. MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery may also be recommended if you believe you lack a youthful chin and neck contours, or if you believe you have a tired or “sad” facial appearance.

Anesthesia

MACS Facelift is usually performed under local Anesthesia with sedation; therefore you will sleep through the procedure.

Intended Results of MACS Facelift

The results of the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery are excellent, natural looking and comparable to the results from a full facelift, but far more cost effective. The technique is a significant advancement over the conventional face lift as it involves relatively little undermining and consequently results in a quicker recovery.

The MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery also has the significant advantage of improving the mid face and mylar (cheek) area where other facelift techniques fall short. It is particularly effective for the younger patients with a sagging mid face, who want to stay ahead of the aging process.

Advantages of MACS Facelift

• - Quicker Recovery
• - Less Risk
• - More Cost Effective
• - Natural Looking

MACS Facelift Procedure Description

The MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes only about one hour.

The surgeon makes two L-shape cuts – one in front of the ear and one above the ear, with no incision behind the ear. Passing permanent suspension sutures down to the neck, jowls and cheek, the surgeon is able to elevate the cheek fat pad thus reducing the nasolabial folds.

With cheek fat pad elevated, the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery is often combined a with lower lid blepharoplasty to reduce the height of the lower eyelid resulting in an even more youthful and smooth appearance.

There in no need to for undermining the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). As a result, there is very little chance of damage to the facial nerve after the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery.

At this time, the surgeon may also perform liposuction to the neck area below the angle of the mandible. The purpose of this is to remove any excess fat located there and to loosen the skin for re-draping by means of suspension sutures.

Recovery and Healing After MACS Facelift

After the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for two days. With  limited undermining and dissection, the post operative swelling and edema is much less compared to regular facelifts, so the recovery is quicker.

The first night after the operation, the patient is placed in a firm bulky wool bandage and two small non-suction drains are inserted behind the ear. The bandage is removed the following day, along with the drains.

Over the next week, the patient wears a light chin-up bandage. After this, there may be some residual bruising, especially around the eyes. This is treated with Arnica cream and a massage twice a day on a daily basis.

Stitches from the lower blepharoplasty incision are removed three days after the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery,  the stitches in front of the ears are removed after five days and any remaining sutures in the hairline on the tenth day.

Depending on the elasticity of your skin, diet and sun exposure, your MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery should last for about 10 years.

Complimentary Procedures

Additional procedures that can enhance the result are: Eyelid Lift, Brow Lift, Chin Enlargement, Nose Reshaping (rhinoplasty), and Laser Skin Resurfacing.

Note on MACS Facelift

The specific risks and the suitability of the MACS lift procedure or mini lift surgery for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All cosmetic surgical procedures have some degree of risk and limitations. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occasionally occur. Major complications are unusual.

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