MACS
Facelift

• The MACS (or Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) face lift is a surgical procedure to improve a sagging mid and lower face
• It can restore a youthful-looking jaw line, reduce jowls, and bring back the “apple” of the cheek that tends to sag with ageing
  
  

• A MACS lift will not remove bags or wrinkles from around the eyes or forehead, or correct sun-damaged skin
• It produces a limited improvement to the nose to mouth (Naso-labial) lines
• See our information in chemical peels, dermal fillers, wrinkle treatments and browlifting for correcting these
  
  

• Your surgeon will make incisions in your temples and behind your ears
• The fibrous tissues under the skin are tightened with permanent stitches fixed close to your cheek bones or the connective tissue under the skin
• These stitches pass down to your neck, jowls and cheek fat pads. You are likely to have liposuction under your chin at the same time
• This removes puddled fat and “frees up” more excess skin re-draping
• If your neck is particularly saggy, your surgeon may need to make incisions behind your ears as well as to correct this
• It is likely that you’ll have lower eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) at the same time to remove the excess skin that develops when the cheek fat pads are lifted
• The whole operation takes about 3 hours to complete and is performed under a general anaesthetic
• You will probably stay in hospital for two days afterwards
  
  

• The MACS lift is a less invasive procedure than a traditional facelift and because of this can have a shorter recovery time
• Bandages: for the first night after your operation you’ll wear a firm bulky bandage
• You will have to have small non-suction drains inserted behind your ears
• The bandage will be removed the following day along with the drains
• Following this, you will need to wear a light, elasticated “chin-up” bandage for one week
• Stitches from your eyelids will be removed around three to five days after your operation
• The stitches in front of your ears and alternate stitches in your hairline will be removed after five days, the remaining stitches in your hairline will be removed after ten days
  
  

• Because a MACS lift involves less skin undermining (lifting the skin from the muscle) than a traditional facelift and does not affect the SMAS (Superficial Musculoponeurotic System) damage to your facial nerves is unlikely
• You may experience some bruisiing, particularly around your eyes
  
• This can be treated with Arnica Cream. You are advised to refrain from social engagements for around two weeks following your operation, although it may take a little longer before you feel confident enough to face the world again
  
• If you are susceptible to fluid retention, you may find that some swelling persists for a few months after your operation
  
• Manual lymphatic drainage can help with this if it becomes a problem
  
  

• On average you can expect to look around eight to ten years younger when you have fully recovered from your MACS lift
• The benefits will last around ten years although this will depend on the elasticity of your skin and your lifestyle
• Factors including diet, body weight and exposure to sunlight will affect your overall results and of course your skin will continue to age in the normal way

Click here for a downloadable PDF version of this page
Click here to see before and after pictures
Click here to read personal diaries on our blog
Read more: How the face ages
Read more: Which procedure is right for you?
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