MACS-Lift/S-Lift (Short-Scar Facelift)
• What is MACS-Lift/s?
• What can a MACS-Lift accomplish?
• Effects of MACS-Lift
• What is an Extended MACS-Lift?
• What additional procedures can enhance the effect of the MACS-Lift?
• Candidates for MACS-Lift
• Your Consultation
• The MACs-Lift/s Procedure
• Recovery
• FAQs
• How does a MACS-lift differ from a regular facelift?
• How is the face lifted in the MACS-lift?
• Why is this better?
• Does it last as long as a traditional facelift?
• How long does it take to recover from a MACS-lift?
• Which patients should not have a MACS-lift?
What is a MACS-Lift?
MACS-Lift stands for Minimal Access Cranial Suspension-Lift. It is a mini-face lift that is ideal for younger patients or those with less advanced signs of aging. It provides natural rejuvenation with shorter operative time, quicker recovery, and less potential for complications compared with traditional face lifts. The procedure is characterized by short incisions, limited skin undermining and suture suspension of the deep tissues of the face.
The procedure is designed for patients who have started to notice jowling and sagging of the face and neck, but who are not ready for, and really do not need a traditional full face lift.
An S-Lift or MACS-Lift can accomplish just about everything that facelift surgery can accomplish -- with less surgery, less downtime and less cost. It is an ingenious minimally invasive outpatient procedure that is a perfect example of "less is more." It is performed using tumescent local anesthesia and oral sedation (Ativan). The MACS-Lift surgery involves performing only the first half of a facelift. There is an incision hidden along the contours in front of the ear, and none behind the ear or into the scalp. To get an idea of what you would look like after a MACS-Lift, find a picture of yourself from ten years ago: this will give you some idea of what a MACS-lift can do. The MACS-Lift restores the youthful lines and contours of the face and neck by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying facial layers. The MACS-Lift will not make you look like a different person but will make you look younger, more refreshed, rested and healthy. The correction is designed to produce uplifted contours and improved facial tone. Today we are able to give people a natural appearance rather than the "lifted" appearance that was often present after facelifts years ago.
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What can a MACS-Lift accomplish?
The idea behind a MACS-Lift is to gently remove excess skin that is sagging on the face and neck, and to tighten the underlying tissue to achieve a long lasting result. The incision is shaped like a narrow "S" in the natural crease in front of the ear and is meticulously closed to produce a scar which is usually becomes almost invisible with time. It takes two to three hours for the entire procedure, which results in:
• A natural look
• Quick recovery time (2-7 days)
• Significant cost savings and lower risk, since general anesthesia is not involved
• Smaller incisions with minimal bleeding
• Much less post-operative bruising, swelling and scarring
• Youthful restoration of sagging skin in the lower face and neck
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What is an Extended MACS-Lift?
In the Extended MACS-Lift, there is a more extensive loosening of the cheek tissue, accompanied by placement of additional sutures that serve to elevate the fat pad that gave you fuller cheeks when you were younger. As we age, this fat pad descends, producing hollowness in previously full cheeks. This fat pad also contributes to the deepening of the fold running from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth. By moving this tissue upward, it is possible to further roll back the years, and many people can look close to their appearance in their twenties. This type of result was not attainable with the standard facelift. One disadvantage of the Extended MACS-Lift is that because there is more surgery than the standard MACS-Lift, the recovery time is a bit longer.
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What additional procedures can enhance the effect of the MACS-Lift?
Although the MACS-Lift is a wonderful procedure producing exceptional results with mildly invasive surgery, there are some people who will benefit from additional procedures, which frequently can be performed at the time of surgery. First, there are people who have sagging of the brows, producing hooding of the eyes. This can be corrected with a temporal brow lift. Second, there are people who have lost a large amount of deeper tissue. Even though their lax skin has been removed, they have a hollow appearance. This can be corrected through the use of fillers. Finally, there are people who have persistent skin wrinkles, especially on the lips and around the eyelids. This can be improved by laser resurfacing.
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Effects of MACS-Lift
The MACS-Lift procedure provides youthful, natural, subtle rejuvenation and is not intended to dramatically alter a patient's appearance. Its goals include
• Tightening the cheek
• Resuspending the jowl
• Defining the jaw line
• Improving neck contour
• Providing natural, subtle facial rejuvenation
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Candidates for MACS-Lift?
The best candidates for MACS-Lifts are men or women with relatively well defined bone structure whose face and neck skin has started to sag, but whose skin has retained some elasticity. A candidate should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in his or her expectations. A MACS-Lift you make one look younger and fresher but it cannot produce a totally different look. Overweight patients are not good candidates. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but occasionally younger patients will benefit, and people in their seventies or eighties can also have gratifying results.
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Consultation
The best way to obtain more personalized information about any procedure is to make an appointment for a consultation with one of our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. During this consultation, he will evaluate your face including the skin and underlying bone and will tell you whether you are a candidate for this procedure or whether another procedure would better meet your needs. At the initial consultation he will tell you what you can expect from the procedure, the cost of the procedure and give you some idea of the risks and complications of the procedure. Should you decide to go ahead with the procedure, you will be scheduled for a photo session. At that time a detailed health history will be obtained from you and we will go over the nature of the procedure and its benefits and potential downsides in great detail. Preliminary photographs will also be obtained at that time.
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The Macs Lift Procedure:
Your surgeon will make strategically placed incisions along the hairline and in front of the ear, only. Limited skin undermining is performed. Permanent sutures are used to resuspend the deeper structures of the face, reversing "gravitational signs of aging." Excess skin is excised, and the incisions are closed.
The MACS-Lift procedure can take from two to three hours. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia. Because safety is always our first concern, we always work with board-certified anesthesiologists to ensure that your surgery is as safe as possible. Following your surgery, you will be able to rest in the comfort of your own home.
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Recovery
While facial swelling and some bruising are common, the severity and duration and more limited when compared with traditional face lift (rhytidectomy), Light activity is permitted within days and return to work within seven to 10 days.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does a MACS-lift differ from a regular facelift?
A: The scar is shorter – just in front of the ear; and the method of lifting the face is different.
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Q: How is the face lifted in the MACS-lift?
A: Strong sutures are used to suspend the deep tissues of the face (the “SMAS”) from firm points near the ear and forehead.
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Q: Why is this better?
A: The operation is done through a shorter scar, so less dissection is required and therefore less risk of bleeding and other problems associated with lifting the skin from the face. And the suspension technique is a more direct and simple way of lifting the deep tissues, also requiring less dissection and thus less risky. It also takes less time to recover from and we feel gives a more natural result.
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Q: Does it last as long as a traditional facelift?
A: The MACS-lift has been done for 10 years in Europe and seems to last very well. Dr. Edstrom has been performing it for over 5 years and has been very happy with its longevity.
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Q: How long does it take to recover from a MACS-lift?
A: Most patients can get back to social obligations within 10 days to three weeks. Of course some signs of surgery are still present at three or four weeks, and a final result after this type of surgery is not seen for four to six months.
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Q: Which patients should not have a MACS-lift?
A: Some patients with extremely wrinkled and redundant neck skin can benefit from the more extensive incision and dissection behind the ear, but even they will have a nice improvement and very natural looking result with a MACS-lift.
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