MACS FACELIFT SURGERY

The MACS mini facelift is a significant advancement in facial rejuvenation surgery as it involves relatively little undermining and consequently the recovery is quicker.

What is it?

• The MACS facelift (or Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) is a surgical procedure to improve a sagging mid and lower face.
• This mini facelift technique was devised in Belgium and is suitable for people from 40 to 55.
• It is a short scar technique and does not involve a long scar behind the ear.
• It can restore a youthful-looking jaw line, reduce jowls, and bring back the "apple" of the cheek that tends to sag with ageing.
• It is often used in men to reduce visible scarring.
• It produces a fresh natural rather, than stretched, appearance.

What it can’t do?

• A MACS mini facelift 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 on chemical peels, dermal fillers, wrinkle treatments and brow lifting for correcting these.

What is involved?

• Your surgeon will make incisions in your temples and in the natural crease in front of  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 fatty tissue from your neck and "frees up" more excess skin  for 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 possible for you to have eyelid surgery at the same time.
• 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.

Your recovery

• Mini facelift procedures are typically less invasive than a traditional facelift: because of this you can expect a shorter recovery time from your MACS facelift.
• The MACS mini facelift 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 drainage tubes 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.
• You will also need to wear this bandage for a further five weeks in the evening.
• Stitches from your eyelids will be removed around five days after your operation.
• Removed between 7-10 days, the remaining hairline stitches are dissolvable and will disappear after hair washing.

Possible side effects

• Because a MACS facelift involves less skin undermining (lifting the skin from the muscle) than a traditional facelift it does not affect the SMAS (Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System) and damage to your facial nerves is unlikely.
• You may experience some bruising, particularly around your eyes.
• This can be treated with Arnica Cream and / or Auroderm. 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.

Your results

• On average you can expect to look around eight to ten years younger when you have fully recovered from your MACS mini facelift.
• 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.