Dear Dr. Seckel, I am considering a face lift. I do not see anything about how long the Lifestyle Lift lasts and how much the average cost is. I am 57 and need some work! Thanks, Mary, Bothell, WA
Dear Mary,
The duration of the results of any face lift, lifestyle lift or standard Face-lift or any facial rejuvenation procedure is determined by several factors.
First, the type of skin on your face, your age, and the degree of facial aging are very important. Generally, the younger you are, the less the degree of facial aging, and the thicker your skin, the longer your face-lift will last. Patients with very thin skin, that is very fair skin like a red head or very fair blond hair-blue eyes and severe wrinkling and skin laxity may see recurrence of facial laxity and facial aging changes as early as two years after a face-lift. Patients with darker, thicker skin, that is brown hair, brown eyes, and darker skin, who have mainly facial sagging along the jaw and neck and are younger, 35-60 years old, can, if the face-lift is done by an EXPERIENCED Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, using modern techniques which include tightening of the muscles and SMAS tissues beneath the facial skin, can get a satisfactory result that lasts 15 years.
Second, the type of face lift plastic surgery procedure is, in my opinion, a very important determinant of the duration of face lift results. Some surgeons simply remove a small amount of skin around the ear and pull the skin tight and suture the skin closed. This is often referred to as a mini lift, weekend lift, minimally invasive face lift, face tuck or other marketing term to indicate a minimal procedure. I have seen patients who have had this type of surgery who feel their results have lasted only a few months. In my opinion, and my practice, a proper face lift needs to include tightening of the tissues beneath the facial skin as well as the skin using well-established modern face-lifting techniques to obtain a pleasing facial rejuvenation which lasts. The recovery time and bruising are usually no different from the minor or mini face-lift techniques, and in my hands the results are ALWAYS better than with simple skin excision.
The MOST IMPORTANT recommendation I can give you is to seek the opinion of two Board Certified Plastic Surgeons who are very experienced in Facial rejuvenation surgery. In my opinion, cost should be your least concern, you are talking about surgery on your face and in my experience patients usually “get what they pay for”. I urge you to read Chapter 10 of my book, Save Your Face, which is entitled “Don’t Let Just Anyone Touch Your Face”. Be sure to ask your friends who have had plastic surgery who they recommend and what their experience has been.
I have no experience with the Lifestyle lift-have never done it.
If you would like to see photos of facial rejuvenation results visit my clinical website drseckel.com.
Thank you for your important question.
For more information on face lifts, plastic surgery and facial rejuvenation read Save Your Face or contact me.
Dr Seckel
Boston, Massachusetts
DISCLAIMER: This communication is for general reference use only and is neither represented as nor intended to serve as medical diagnosis, specific advice, and/or treatment. If you are experiencing a medical problem, see your physician