This procedure is also known by a variety of different names, such as the short scar facelift, baby boomer facelift, limited-incision facelift, or mini-lift. The S-Lift improves the visible signs of aging including jowls, neck sagging, and deep Marionette lines.

The best candidates for S-Lift

The S-Lift is valuable on patients in their forties and fifties with moderate amount of excess skin around their jaw line and neck. It is generally appropriate for patients who show sagging in the mid and lower face.

Planning your S-Lift

S-Lift is an individualized procedure. Prior to your surgery Dr. El-Attar will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying structures, and discuss your goals for the surgery. Medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars will be ruled out. Be sure to inform your surgeon if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting.If you decide to have the S-Lift, Dr. El-Attar will explain the techniques and anesthesia he will use, and the risks and costs involved. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the outcome. After the consultation you will sign an informed consent to have the procedure.

Preparing for your S-Lift

Dr. El-Attar will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it’s especially important to stop at least a week or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas. If your hair is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery, so that it’s long enough to hide the scars while they heal. You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two if needed.

Where your S-Lift will be performed

The S-Lift is performed in our office-based facility in Mercerville, New Jersey.

Types of anesthesia for S-Lift

S-Lift is performed under local anesthesia. It can be combined with an oral sedative to make you drowsy. You’ll be awake but relaxed, and your face will be insensitive to pain. (However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort.)

The S-Lift procedure

The procedure for an S-Lift includes repositioning all of the portions of the face that show signs of aging. The incision is approximately one-half the length of a traditional facelift incision. The incision extends from your temporal hair line to behind the ear. The surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions.Following surgery, a small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any blood that might collect there. The surgeon may also wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.

Complications

Complications are infrequent and usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities. The outcome is never completely predictable.Complications that can occur include infection, hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary), and reactions to the anesthesia. Poor healing of the skin is most likely to affect smokers.You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon’s advice both before and after surgery

To prevent complications it is important to:
[ ] Keep your head elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling
[ ] Apply ice packs to minimize swelling
[ ] Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications (your doctor can provide you with a list of OTC medications to avoid)
[ ] Do not smoke or be exposed to secondary smoke during recovery
[ ] Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
[ ] Use a sunblock (minimum 15 SPF) to protect your skin

After your S-Lift

There isn’t usually significant discomfort after surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with over-the counter pain medication. (Severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to your surgeon immediately.) Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months.Your doctor may tell you to keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery, to keep the swelling down.If you’ve had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days. Don’t be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that in a few weeks you’ll be looking normal. Most of your stitches in the face will be removed after about five days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches or metal clips in your hairline could be left in a few days longer.

Recovery after your S-Lift

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.Avoid strenuous activity, including sexual activity and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.At the beginning your features may be distorted from the swelling, your facial movements may be slightly stiff and you’ll probably be self-conscious about your scars. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks, and you may tire easily. It’s not surprising that some patients are disappointed and depressed at first. By the third week, you’ll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about ten days after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains.

Pain Level: Moderate discomfort. 1-3 days of pain medication
Swelling and bruising: 2 weeks or more
Numbness: lasts several weeks
Bandages: Changed in 1-2 days (drains and sutures removed first 2-5 days)
Work: Return after 1-3 weeks
Exercise: Wait 2-3 weeks
Sun protection: Six months with SPF 15 or higher
Final result: Seen 1-4 months following most facelifts

Your new look after your S-Lift

Most patients are very happy with their S-Lift. Especially if you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent. Even after the swelling and bruises are gone, your hair may be thin and your skin may feel dry and rough for several months. You’ll have some scars from your S-Lift, but they’re usually hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. In any case, they’ll fade within time and should be scarcely visible. Remember, having S-Lift doesn’t stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times-perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even one S-Lift are lasting; years later, you’ll continue to look better than if you’d never had another facelift at all.

Travel and accommodation:

For our patients coming out of town, please contact our clinic coordinator Ms. Mary Noordhof at 609…. She will help you with your travel arrangements. Plan to spend a night or two before returning home. We will need to see you on the seventh day after your surgery for suture removal and wound check.