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Limited Incision Lower Facelift

Our doctors personalize each facelift at the Buckingham Center in Austin, Texas, to match the needs of the patient. The mini facelift, which is also referred to as a limited incision facelift, is a modern procedure that our surgeons may perform in place of the traditional facelift. For some patients, the surgeon can use this less invasive, technically advanced technique to lift and beautify the lower section of the face. Our surgeons have years of experience performing the mini facelift procedure in Austin, TX. Therefore, patients receive outstanding results, including a minimal recovery period and limited, well-concealed incisions. The limited incision facelift is the answer that many individuals desire as they seek to achieve tighter, lifted skin with minimal scarring.

Mini Facelift Before & After

*Each patient is unique, and individual results may vary.

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The Mini Facelift Procedure

Our doctors create personalized facelifts to provide each patient with natural-looking results, preventing the traditional, windswept appearance that was common in the ’80s and ’90s. Our surgeons offer modern, proven techniques. These techniques provide patients with outstanding results and require very little recovery time. In addition, our surgeons use their experience and skill to place the incisions in areas where they can easily be camouflaged. For example, during a limited incision facelift, the anterior neck is not opened. The limited incision or mini facelift is an aesthetic procedure that beautifies the lower face, including the jawline and the area running from the corner of the mouth to the upper ear.

Our surgeons adjust each facelift procedure to match the patient’s needs and desires. The surgeon may recommend the limited incision facelift or mini facelift to patients who want minimal scarring and a swift recovery. The surgeon creates all limited incision facelift incisions in the area around the ears and hairline. There is no need to create an incision on the anterior neck. As such, the post-surgical swelling and bruising remain in the lateral neck and around the ears. Therefore, patients who have medium to long hair can completely hide the sutures, swelling, and bruising.

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High SMAS Technique

The limited incision facelift procedure is recommended for patients with limited neck banding and thin necks. Our surgeons tailor each procedure to match the patient’s needs. Even patients with moderate to severe jowls benefit from the limited incision facelift because even though the incision and dissection are limited, the Submuscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) is being elevated as in a larger, more invasive lift. However, patients with heavy faces and significant signs of aging achieve more substantial benefits if the SMAS is lifted and combined with anterior neck work, including neck liposuction with platysmaplasty. 

In either procedure, our surgeons utilize a “high SMAS” technique. With this technique, the SMAS is elevated in a completely superior vector and secured to deep tissue over the cheekbone, providing a more significant, secure, and long-lasting result. During the consultation, our surgeon examines the patient. The surgeon then recommends the best facelift options for the patient’s skin type, needs, and desires.

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Why Choose The Buckingham Center For Facial Plastic Surgery?

The Buckingham Center proudly offers a comprehensive experience featuring three fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeons with over two decades of expertise in Austin. Within our accredited surgical facility, we ensure a top-tier journey. As Austin's leading facial specialists, our science-based approach guarantees scientifically proven results. We prioritize your safety with the highest care standards while fostering lasting patient relationships. From your initial consultation to the day you celebrate your rejuvenated look, our dedicated and compassionate team creates an inviting and cheerful atmosphere throughout your entire journey.

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What To Expect During A Mini Facelift

Facelift surgery is customized for each patient depending on the amount of sagging skin, muscle banding, and deposits of fat. The limited incision facelift is usually performed in the office operating suite with light oral sedation, relaxing medication is taken by mouth, and local, injectable anesthesia. A hidden incision is then formed around the ears, exposing the Submuscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS), which is linked to the superficial platysma muscle that covers the lower face and neck. The SMAS is then incised using the high SMAS technique and then elevated off the deeper salivary gland to release the tissues, allowing maximal lift. 

The SMAS is then secured in a vertical direction to the deep fixed tissue layers. Once the layers are tightened, the surgeon removes just enough of the excess skin to allow the edges to lie together without creating tension. Beautiful skin with minimal postoperative scars is achieved with the mini facelift. The mini facelift surgical dissection and recovery are limited, yet the procedure produces remarkable results as the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) is still undermined and tightened in this procedure.

Limited Incision Facelift Expectations

The limited incision or mini facelift refreshes and rejuvenates the lower face and involves only minimal scarring and a short recovery period. Additional cosmetic procedures are not required but may help enhance the refreshed look the surgeon achieves with the mini facelift. During the consultation, our surgeon provides the patient with before and after photos to view. There are numerous photos available in our photo gallery.

The limited incision mini facelift results will include the following:

  • Elevated facial skin
  • Reduced wrinkles
  • Tightened and redefined jawline
  • Lifted jowls
  • Lifted neck skin
  • Reduced neck banding and lines
  • Tightened skin and removal of hanging skin from the lower face
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The Ideal Limited Incision Facelift Candidate

Ideal candidates for a mini facelift in Austin, TX at Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery are in good mental and physical health and are nonsmokers with realistic and healthy surgical expectations. The procedure is best for individuals with minimal to moderate neck laxity but without significant platysmal banding and thin necks. Jowling can be moderate in nature, and the limited/mini facelift procedure is still indicated. Generally, younger patients undergo the mini facelift. Patients with more significant signs of aging typically benefit from a full or deep plane facelift. However, the ultimate decision is based more on facial anatomy than age, and a full range of ages may or may not be well suited. During the initial consultation, the doctor determines the patient’s candidacy for a limited incision facelift.

Facelift Consultation

Our surgeons believe that a truly successful surgery requires having a good rapport with the patient. The relationship between the surgeon and patient is established and maintained during the consultation and each subsequent visit. During your initial limited incision facelift consultation in Austin, TX at The Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, our patient care coordinator will introduce you to the practice and will explain the facelift process. One of our surgeons reviews your medical history. Following this review, the doctor listens to your desires and concerns. Our surgeon shares before and after photos that display former mini facelift patients who had similar goals and interests. After your consultation is complete, you will receive a written quote and treatment recommendations, along with an option to select a surgery date.

Mini Facelift Surgical Recovery

Recovery time after a mini facelift is short. A light dressing is worn on the first night after the surgery and replaced on post-op day one. The patient removes the dressing on day three at home and may then shower and wash the hair. The sutures are removed in approximately one week, and bruising is typically resolved in the first week as well. Many patients resume social activities within just three to four days after the surgery. Improvements to the incisions and a reduction in swelling will continue to be experienced daily. Residual swelling and some areas of minor firmness, which are noticeable upon close inspection, could be experienced but will improve significantly within a short period.

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Mini Facelift Cost

The cost of a mini facelift depends on the details of the procedure because each treatment is personalized to match the unique needs of the patient. The Buckingham Center’s surgeons and staff never pressure a patient into having a procedure. Furthermore, we work with each patient’s budget to accomplish their desired results when possible. Financing packages are available. At The Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, we do our best to keep the limited incision facelift procedure affordable.

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Mini Facelift FAQ

What Is A Limited Incision Facelift?

Am I An Ideal Limited Incision Facelift Candidate?

What Should I Expect At My Facelift Consultation?

Where Is The Limited Incision Facelift Performed?

What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used During A Mini Facelift?

How Long Is The Facelift Surgery?

Where Are The Facelift Incisions?

What Must I Do To Prepare For A Limited Incision Facelift?

Is Mini Facelift Surgery Painful?

Do Limited Incision Facelifts Result In Permanent Scarring?

What Is The Recovery Period For Mini Facelift Surgery?

When Are Patients Released To Return To Work?

Does A Mini Facelift Have Risks?

Is The Limited Incision Facelift Right For Me?

What Is A Limited Incision Facelift?

There are variations to the lower facelift that are used to lift, smooth, and remove excess skin. The mini facelift requires the shortest recovery period and uses incisions that are easily hidden to improve the appearance of aging skin. It is tailored to match each patient’s desired results. The limited incision facelift is a less invasive facelift that benefits patients who have limited banding or a thin neck.

Am I An Ideal Limited Incision Facelift Candidate?

If you are experiencing premature aging along your jawline and you are a nonsmoker who is in general good health, you may be an ideal candidate for a mini facelift.

What Should I Expect At My Facelift Consultation?

During your facelift consultation, you will meet with one of our surgeons. The doctor listens to your cosmetic goals and desires before recommending the most efficient and affordable facelift procedure. The surgeon shares before and after photos with you. In addition, patients receive an approved treatment plan that is customized just for them.

Where Is The Limited Incision Facelift Performed?

Our surgeons perform mini facelift surgeries at The Buckingham Center in Austin, Texas, using light oral sedation and local anesthesia. If other procedures are combined with the facelift, the procedure may be performed at an outpatient ambulatory surgery center.

What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used During A Mini Facelift?

The mini facelift procedure is performed under a combination of light oral sedation and local anesthesia. Your surgeon will explain the type of sedation you will receive during the customized limited incision facelift.

How Long Is The Facelift Surgery?

The mini lift takes from two to two and a half hours.

Where Are The Facelift Incisions?

The limited incision facelift incisions are hidden around the ears and in the hairline. Each incision is positioned to provide invisibility after the incision has healed. Patients can usually wear their hair in any style without revealing the incisions. We encourage each patient to review before and after photos to visualize the incisions.

What Must I Do To Prepare For A Limited Incision Facelift?

If you are currently smoking, you will need to stop smoking at least two weeks before your surgery. You will also be given a list of all prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products that you will need to stop taking before the surgery.

Is Mini Facelift Surgery Painful?

Anesthesia is used during the surgery, and the surgery itself is not painful at all. Some patients have mild recollection of the local anesthetic injections, but the discomfort is minimal. Most patients only experience mild postoperative pain that can be treated with extra-strength Tylenol for one or two days. If necessary, your surgeon can prescribe pain medication.

Do Limited Incision Facelifts Result In Permanent Scarring?

Mini facelift incisions are hidden around the ear and within the hairline. Technically, there are scars, but they are usually completely hidden and barely perceptible except to very close inspection.

What Is The Recovery Period For Mini Facelift Surgery?

Mini facelift recovery typically takes one week; bruising typically resolves during this time. Patients often resume social activities within two to three days after a mini facelift. Improvement in incision appearance and postoperative swelling will continue after the first week.

When Are Patients Released To Return To Work?

Most patients return to working at least a partial day of non-physical work after only three to four days. Seven days will be the recommended timeframe if you desire to keep the surgery a secret from your coworkers.

Does A Mini Facelift Have Risks?

All surgery has some risks. The mini facelift risks are minimal and rarely occur, but may include post-operative bleeding, which may lead to more bruising and swelling but is not life-threatening, visible scarring, infection, and sensory or motor nerve injury. Your surgeon reviews all possible risks with you during your consultation.

Is The Limited Incision Facelift Right For Me?

The mini facelift surgery provides substantial physical and emotional benefits, and the incisions are rarely perceptible once healed. There are minimal side effects, and the surgery tightens skin laxity and smooths wrinkles. If a mini facelift can accomplish your goals, our surgeon recommends this procedure.

Schedule Your Mini Lift Consultation In Austin Today

Our surgeons perform limited incision facelifts to provide each patient with the refreshed, more youthful-looking appearance they desire. To learn more about a mini facelift at The Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Austin, Texas, call 512-401-2500 to request a consultation.

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