QuickLift® Face Lift Surgery
The QuickLift® face lift surgery is an outpatient, minimally-invasive face lift procedure that takes about one to two hours to perform, when performed alone. The age of the patient, the degree of facial rejuvenation desired and the addition of other cosmetic enhancement procedures will also affect the length of the surgery. The QuickLift is most often performed with local anesthesia or twilight sedation.
The QuickLift face lift begins by making a small, relaxed "S" shaped incision along the sideburn, extending along the tragus of the ear, around the earlobe and up to the hairline toward the nape. Meticulous attention is given to the placement of the incision so the scar may be inconspicuous once healed.
Then, the underlying connective tissue and facial musculature (SMAS) is gently lifted and tightened using a purse-string suture technique, which immediately enhances the appearance of the jaw line and upper neck. Depending on the degree of skin laxity, up to a triple-concentric purse-string suture may be applied. The redundant skin is then removed and the incision is carefully closed under magnification using a suturing technique designed to minimize any visible scarring.
Because the QuickLift face lift is customized to the needs of every patient, in some cases a submental tuck may be performed to enhance the upper neck, or liposuction of the neck and jowl area may be performed in conjunction with the QuickLift for a more defined jaw line and a more youthful-looking neck.
QuickLift Face Lift Recovery
The QuickLift face lift recovery depends very much on the individual having surgery. While the QuickLift has been called the "weekend facelift" for its quick recovery time, this term can be misleading. When performed alone, the recovery time for the QuickLift face lift is relatively short; most people can have the surgery on a Friday and feel comfortable returning to work just a few days later. However, because the QuickLift is customized to the individual needs of each patient, ancillary facial rejuvenation procedures are often performed at the same time, which can extend the recovery period. QuickLift patients that choose additional procedures such as a chemical peel, dermal fillers or eyelid surgery, find they are able to return to work within two weeks after having the procedure.
Although a prescription for pain medication is provided, most patients find that over-the-counter Tylenol is all they need to alleviate any discomfort. Some people may experience temporary bruising, which can be camouflaged with makeup after three days of having the QuickLift. To minimize swelling, patients are encouraged to sleep with their head elevated for the first week and apply cold compresses the first 48 hours.
