Mini Facelift CENTER FOR FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY AT ENT SPECIALISTS
Mini Facelift
A Mini facelift also known as a Small-incision Facelift or an S-Lift is a lower facelift that is
done through a small incision in front of the ear, well hidden in the skin crease. The deep
tissues (Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System or SMAS) are usually vertically lifted
and the excess skin is re-draped and trimmed. In well selected patients, this procedure is
sufficient to achieve the desired result and has the advantages of faster recovery,
shorter operative time and reduced costs. This procedure is ideal for younger patients
with thin faces and good skin elasticity.
The S-Lift can be done in the office under local anesthesia and oral sedation in less than
2 hours and is painless. However, some patients do prefer a deeper sedation, in which
case the procedure is performed in the operative room. Patients normally go home right
after the procedure with a small drain on each side that eliminates the bruising and
swelling that otherwise normally occur in the first days after surgery. In a selected
number of patients, the drains can be omitted. In these instances a light wrap is applied
till the following day.
BEFORE THE SURGERY
From the time of your first consultation (whether on-line or in person) till the day of surgery you will have the opportunity to discuss with Dr Georgescu and his staff all your questions and concerns related to the surgical procedure, the preparation and the recovery. Make sure you fulfill all your financial obligations at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Stop all anticoagulants (Eliquis, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin), anti-inflammatory medication (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin) and all vitamins and supplements (except for Calcium and Vit. D) two weeks prior to surgery, but only with the approval of your primary care doctor or cardiologist. Smokers need to stop smoking or vaping at least 4 months prior to surgery. Nicotine patches or gum are accepted. Make sure you fill your prescriptions before surgery, as you will not be able go to the pharmacy immediately after surgery. You need to make arrangements for someone to bring you to the surgery center and take you back home, as you will not be able to drive the day of surgery. You also need someone to stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.
THE DAY OF SURGERY
If your surgery is scheduled in the office, you can have a light meal before coming in.
Take your regular medication as usual. Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol on the day of
surgery.
If done in the surgery center, do not eat or drink anything past 10:00 PM the night
before! If you need to take your blood pressure or anxiety medication, do so with a sip
of water when you wake up. Make sure you arrive at the surgery center at the time
indicated (our staff will call you the day prior with the exact time you need to be there).
Our surgery center staff will greet you and make sure all the consent forms have been
signed. Your companion can either wait in our comfortable waiting area, where there is
coffee, water and snacks, or can return back home and we will call as soon as the
surgery is over. You will be then taken to your room where our nurses will place an IV
and EKG electrodes. A urine pregnancy test is performed on all pre-menopausal women.
Then, you will meet in person our anesthesiologist who will explain the anesthesia
procedure. Most surgeries are done under light sedation. Dr Georgescu will come and
read to you the consent form and answer any last-minute questions you may have. He
will then do the skin markings and may take some additional photographs. The bed will
then be wheeled into the operating room where the time out will be performed before
you go to sleep. The anesthesiologist will then give you IV medication that will allow you
to fall asleep. At the end of surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where you
will wake up with no pain. We typically use ice-packs in recovery for 20 minutes to
decrease swelling. There will be a bandage around the face that will need to stay in
place till the next day. You do not need to do anything till the bandages are removed.
After approximately 1 hour you will be discharged to go home with your companion. We
will bring you to the car in a wheelchair. You will be given Dr Georgescu’s personal cell
number to call at any time if you have any questions or concerns and Dr Georgescu will
call you the night of surgery to make sure you are doing well and following the
instructions.
RECOVERY & RESULTS
Most patients take between 3 and 5 days off after a Mini Facelift surgery. Stitches
dissolve or are removed at 10 days. Bruising and swelling are minimal but can last up to
2-3 weeks. Antibiotic and pain medication may be prescribed for a few days. Strenuous
activity, especially neck stretching, swimming, Yoga, Pilates, tennis and weightlifting
should be avoided for six weeks. Walking is allowed the day after surgery. Running and
biking can be resumed after 3 weeks. The hair can be dyed after one month. Makeup
can be applied as early as 2 weeks after surgery.
Starting on the 5 th day we will begin the INDIBA RF lymph massage that is performed in
our office and takes less than 30 minutes. The 3 complimentary sessions are scheduled 3
days apart and will decrease the bruising and swelling time to about half.
You will need to come back to the office the following day to have the bandages
removed. You can shower the day after surgery. However, we recommend using distilled
water to wash the hair and the face for at least a week. You will also be seen in the
office on day 7, 10 and 14 followed by 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. However, Dr
Georgescu is available to see you at any time if you have questions or concerns.
Seek Dr DAN’s Advice
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2122 NW 62nd ST, Ste 229 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
