Is A MACS Facelift Right For You?
You're happy, you're healthy, but the signs of a life well-lived are starting to show on your face. Does that sound about right? If so, you may be considering having "some work done," perhaps even getting a facelift. If you have moderate loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone in the neck and face, the Minimal Access Cranial Suspension, or MACS, facelift may be right for you.
The MACS Process
The surgeon makes an L-shaped incision with an extension under the sideburn. The incision actually creates an S-shape, lending the procedure its other name, S-lift. Because the incision follows the hairline, scarring is almost invisible.
The surgeon lifts the skin and weaves two or three strong sutures into the deep facial tissue. These sutures are used as purse strings to pull the muscle and skin back up. Tying off the sutures results in a dramatic vertical correction of the fallen facial features.
Benefits of a MACS Facelift
The MACS facelift carries several benefits:
- Limited invasiveness
- Short scar that blends in with the hairline
- Outpatient procedure
- Limited time in surgery
Plastic Reconstructive Surgery reports that limited complications and pleasing results were still evident almost two years after the procedure had been performed.
Prime Candidates for MACS
The S-lift is the least invasive type of facelift, so it is appropriate for people who want relatively subtle results. Prime candidates for the MACS procedure are between the ages of 30 and 60. They either have "parentheses," or deep grooves between the nose and mouth or loss of a defined jawline.
The MACS facelift also works well to counteract wrinkles and sagging skin near the cheek bones. It can also help correct the appearance of loose skin in the jowls of the neck.
Recuperation After the MACS
Recovery after an S-lift is swifter than after a full facelift. Typically patients go home with head and neck compressions that come off within 48 hours. While there is some discomfort, the doctor prescribes oral medication that easily controls it.
The MACS facelift does cause some bruising and swelling. However, this goes down within two to three weeks. While the results continue to emerge over the course of several months, your face after four to six weeks is a good indication of the outcome of the procedure.
The MACS facelift gives you a rested appearance with a youthful contour. Even if you have deep creases between the base of the nose and corners of the mouth or have developed wrinkles, the MACS facelift can still provide aesthetic benefits. Talk to your local cosmetic surgeon or someone such as Jennifer Walden, MD about whether you're a prime candidate for the MACS procedure.