Limited Incision Facelift

“If everything is a nail then the only tool you have is a hammer.” This statement applies to face lifting as well as many other aspects of life. At Buckingham Center, we believe in tailoring our facelift technique to meet the needs of each patient. Therefore, we offer a wide range of techniques using our varied tools to achieve the desired results with the minimal amount of intervention and consequently less recovery time. Many different names have been applied to a limited facelift including, S-lift, Mini-lift, and many others. Companies have even trademarked and marketed terms to describe these procedures. In our practice we prefer to call them by a descriptive name, limited incision lower facelift.

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We utilize this technique in patients who are younger or patients with thin necks and minimal neck banding. A consultation with Dr. Buckingham will determine if you are a good candidate. On occasion Dr. Buckingham will offer the limited incision approach or a more invasive approach explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure and letting the patient make their choice based on desired outcome and tolerance for recovery time.

In contrast to our lower facelift procedure for more advanced facial aging, the limited incision approach involves an incision confined only to the area around the ear and hairline. The anterior neck is not opened and therefore any swelling and bruising is confined to the area around the ears and lateral neck. This allows individuals with medium and long hair to completely cover the sutures, swelling and bruising in the days immediately following the procedure. Some patients even choose to be social as soon as one to two days post-operatively. This procedure is performed in the office with light oral sedation and local anesthesia and requires about 1.5 to 2 hours to perform. While the surgical dissection and recovery are limited the procedure still produces remarkable results as the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) is still undermined and tightened in this procedure. A light dressing is worn on the first post-operative night only. Sutures are removed at one week and the patient can return to social activities.

Dr. Buckingham feels that successful facial plastic surgery results from the development and maintenance of good rapport between the patient, the surgeon, and his staff during the consultation and future appointments. The consultation will include a complete facial analysis to determine the best procedure to bring about the desired results and all questions relating to the patient’s specific concerns will be addressed.

Prospective patients are encouraged to call the office to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.

Find answers to Limited Incision Facelift questions in Dr. Buckingham’s Q&A.