Lets talk about Lifestyle Lifts

What is it?

A lifestyle lift is a facelift performed by a lifestyle lift surgeon. The scars are usually around the ear and the procedure is performed in the office usually under local anesthesia with oral sedation.

Is it a unique procedure or can my Plastic Surgeon do it?

Yes, a board certified plastic surgeon can do it. The procedure is not unique. You should remember that every patient has different areas of concern; one operation cannot adequately treat everyone. Your surgeon should individualize your treatment plan for your concerns.

If it is done under local anesthesia in the office there must be few problems and early return to normal activity, right? 

Complications are possible with all surgeries, the skill of the surgeon and operating room team are the most important factors in determining your risk of problems. All lifts require healing time; less surgery usually means a faster recovery. The skill of the surgeon is the most important factor in healing. Many patients are back to work after 7 to 10 days after full face lifts, smaller lifts have faster healing times.

Do patients that have the lifestyle lifts have the same results as regular facelift patients?

You know that all surgeons do not have the same results.  Even excellent surgeons can have results that are not ideal. A review of the patient rated web blog Realself.com rated the Lifestyle lift as "worth it" 53 % of the time as compared to traditional facelift patients who felt in was worth it 86% of the time. Always check your surgeon’s credentials and get references from their patients and your local physicians.

The lifestyle lift is cheaper that a face lift?

This is usually true. Remember that you get what you pay for.

Is local anesthesia safer that anesthesia with a board certified anesthesiologist?

It may be, however consider what would happen if while having your procedure and you become anxious? Or the surgery is painful. You can have more local injections, but wouldn't it be nice to be sleeping during the procedure. With the aid of an anesthesiologist most patients are under a twilight sleep for their cosmetic surgery not general anesthesia. Minor revisions and mini lifts can be done under local with minimal oral sedation but these procedures are usually less than an hour long.