People will go a long way for a facelift with a great surgeon. That’s why Miami-based facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andres Bustillo has a Fly-In service for out-of-town patients. Many patients find that it’s well worth the added distance to get perfect results. In fact, see the results for yourself in Dr. Bustillo’s before and after facelift photo gallery. A great facelift is one that creates a beautiful, natural, more youthful appearance without any telltale signs of surgery like excessive or visible scarring. In fact, many of the issues that people experience with their facelifts and necklifts are centered around scarring. It’s also the first clue that someone has had a facelift – an unhealthy looking, discolored area of tissue next to each ear.
It’s something that turns patients off, but it’s unnecessary provided that the correct procedure is used by a qualified and experienced facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Bustillo works on the principle that there’s more to a facelift than just stretching the skin to smooth out wrinkles. He works at several levels to address one of the underlying causes of visible aging in the face – muscle change and repositioning – using a technique called a deep plane facelift.
The Deep Plane Facelift vs. the Mini Facelift
The deep plane facelift is a specific type of lift that produces very natural result. Understandably, the lure of a mini-type of facelift is that it is billed as a less invasive procedure, but it’s also a procedure that fails to address several key points, such as the changing position of muscles, separation of skin between the layers, and the effect of aging on the neck. All of these need to be addressed in order to rejuvenate the face and turn back the clock on aging.
For those worried about scarring, the deep plane facelift, with its emphasis on working on muscle position and fat transfer, keeps the tension away from the surface skin. Instead, techniques are used that place the pull and tension in the deep tissues. When pulling is performed on the skin layer, surface scarring is often made worse when the skin is over-stretched, resulting in a wider scar. This wider scar will be visible, and it is this scarring that Dr. Bustillo sees on both mini-facelift and facelift patients who come to him for advice on revising a poor facelift result from another surgeon.
The other side of this is the placement of the incision, which should follow natural contours and, where possible, be hidden inside the hair. Only a close inspection will reveal evidence of a facelift, and while it’s nothing to be ashamed of, visible scarring can be unsightly. Hiding the scars as much as possible is aesthetically desirable while also helping patients to avoid any awkward social questions. Not everyone is actually a good candidate for a facelift, though. The neck is included in the facial aging process, and in some cases it may be enough to perform a necklift alone to help facial rejuvenation.
The Minimal Incision Necklift
Dr. Bustillo practices a technique called the minimal incision necklift which uses three small, virtually imperceptible incisions (under the chin and behind each ear) to remove fat, reposition muscles and remove as much skin as is necessary.
It is important to note that the necklift doesn’t actually address the jowls or the face itself, but reduces the effects of aging on the neck. However, as the photos on the web site show, there is a subtle effect on the chin and neck which reduces the impression of facial age. Both the facelift and the necklift can be life-changing procedures. They can increase self-esteem, which boosts confidence. As a result, patients often report that they become more successful in life. This success is likely to be a combination of that increased confidence as well as the way that they are seen by others. It’s not just about the way you look; it’s also about the way you feel.
To find out more about Dr. Bustillo’s facelift and necklift procedures, and to set up an appointment at his Miami, Florida practice, simply fill out the contact form, or call 305-663-3380 for more information.