Many patients consult with Dr. Bustillo seeking facial rejuvenation with very specific ideas in mind as to what they want. After performing research on their own, they may come to the conclusion that one surgery may address the concerns they have regarding the look of their face, neck, or both areas. This article is designed to allow patients to differentiate between two commonly requested plastic surgery procedures that produce very different changes, but are often confused in terms of results.
Lower Facelift
There are a number of lifting procedures designed to treat the entire face or areas of the face. A traditional facelift procedure addresses the lower portion of the face and neck. Dr. Bustillo typically prefers the deep plane facelift technique which can improve the mid-face or cheek area down to the neck. Other facelift techniques include the midface lift and the lower facelift. Any of these techniques may be combined with a browlift or eyelid surgery to address the upper portion of the face as well.
The deep plane facelift, elevates both the SMAS ( facial muscles) and the malar fat pad. The platysma muscle is also tightened and elevated and excess fat is removed from the neck. These changes can correct facial descent and deflation in the mid and lower face as well as jowls and aging in the jawline and neck.
Because this procedure targets a very specific area of the face, other procedures may be able to enhance the results or create a well-rounded rejuvenation of the entire face. Cosmetic injections or blepharoplasty are just some of the options patients may elect to receive. Dr. Bustillo can explain the outcomes of potential add-on procedures.
For patients concerned only with aging of the neck, the neck lift can be performed as a separate procedure to address skin laxity, inflation and muscle descent in order to improve neck contour. The neck lift can improve neck bands, jowls and fullness in the neck and below the jawline. The neck lift is commonly performed as part of a traditional facelift, but can be performed on its own when necessary.
Tissue accumulation in the neck can affect a patient’s appearance from both the front and profile views. It can lead to a distorted ratio of neck to chin space, the appearance of a double chin, and a “waddle.” Even a patient of a healthy weight may appear overweight in the facial and neck region prior to a neck lift.
A neck lift will result in a smooth appearance from the collar bone to the jawline, free of wrinkles and with a normal distribution of fat. Extra skin will no longer cause distortion in the shape of the neck. It is through these alterations that youth and vitality are restored to the neck. Patients no longer have to feel self-conscious when wearing a shirt that shows off the neck, or jewelry that highlights the area.
Dr. Bustillo is a Miami area facial plastic surgeon who specializes in both facelift and neck lift techniques, among others. To learn more about either surgery, as well as other facial cosmetic procedures that can benefit your looks, call the surgeon’s Coral Gables, Florida office at (305) 663-3380. Patients can also converse with the doctor and office staff via email by filling out the form found here.
