MACS face lift
Face lifting techniques have evolved from the wind tunnel swept back American type of look to subtle rejuvenation with minimal scarring and quicker recovery but with long lasting results.
What is a MACS lift?
The Minimum Access Cranial Suspension face lift is a short scar technique facial rejuvenation with deep plane repositioning of the SMAS layer by means of suspension sutures to the temple.
Who requests this procedure?
The MACS lift is ideal for the younger patient with small jowls, sagging cheeks and deep lines from the nose to the side of the mouth. It is not a substitute for a face and neck lift where the skin of the neck is loose and craggy. It is usually performed with cosmetic eyelid surgery.
What does the procedure involve?
The MACS lift is performed either under General anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation. It can be done as a day case or with a single night hospital stay.
The incision is made in the side burn hair bearing area and continued in the natural crease in front of the ear. No incisions are needed behind the ear (in contrast to a face and neck lift). After elevating the skin, suspension sutures are placed from the deep tissues in the temple to the cheecks, jowl and neck. Excess skin is removed in a vertical direction thus improving the effects of gravity on ageing. All stiches are placed underneath the skin using absorbable sutures. A bandage might be placed foer a short period after surgery.
Scars are usually minimal and normally visible only to the trained eye.
What is the recovery period like?
After surgery, women may experience some mild discomfort and swelling, which usually disappears completely after 2-3 weeks. The lincisions usually heal quickly and are rarely noticeable. After the procedure, there may be some swelling and massaging may be advised. The sutures dissolve naturally, so there is no need for their removal afterwards. You are advised to avoid vigorous exercise for 3 weeks. Normal facial hygiene and hair washing can be commenced the day after surgery.
Are there any risks involved?
All surgery involves an element of risk from developing complications. However, cosmetic surgery is usually undertaken voluntarily and only when the patient is in good health. Therefore, the probability of experiencing complications following this kind of surgery is substantially lower than for those who undergo surgery due to ill health.
Risks such as bleeding, infection, asymmetry, alteration in sensitivity and scarring will all be discussed openly at consultation.
What next?
The importance of a thorough pre-operative consultation with the Consultant Plastic Surgeon who will actually perform your operation cannot be over stressed. At Methley Park Hospital, each consultation is tailored to an individual's needs. The process will always involve a thorough evaluation of your past and present medical history and a physical examination of the area of concern.
Your surgeon will take time to listen to your concerns regarding your concerns and will take care to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of what can be done to help, the procedure itself, the recovery stages and a clear explanation of the risks involved. You will need to consider all of these factors before making a decision.
How to arrange a consultation with a fully qualified Consultant with GMC specialist registration
Please feel free to call our Customer Service Advisory Team at Methley Park Hospital who will be pleased to answer any queries, or make an appointment for you to meet with a Consultant Surgeon who has specialist skills and experience in facial aesthetic surgery.
Our Customer Advisory Service is personally manned between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. We will also be happy to discreetly return your call if you leave a short message, forwarding name and telephone number on our confidential answer phone after office hours.