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So you probably have heard the term “weekend facelift” and are having a difficult time imagining what it is. Could it be a facelift that’s done on a weekend or is it a facelift that is easy to recover from in a weekend? This procedure is remarkably effective at improving the jaw/neck line and correcting a double chin. There are some caveats that one needs to know and understand because it is not a procedure that can be carried out in all patients. In order to have a so-called weekend facelift, most of our Champaign, Illinois, patients need to be under the age of 55 and have a weak (recessed) chin. Many of these people have a family history of double chins. They are quite familiar with fatty tissue in the neck at a young age in their family and begin to have issues in their mid-30s.
How is a weekend facelift performed?
This minimally invasive version of a facelift is carried out through a very small incision, typically smaller than 1 inch, right underneath the chin which is not noticeable. Through this incision, the fatty tissue in the neck area up to the jawline is removed. Sometimes a small amount of fatty tissue can be removed from the jowl area. Through the same incision, a tight pocket for a chin implant is created just in front of the jaw. This portion of the procedure is referred to as a mentoplasty. Through this same incision, the muscle structure in the neck area is tightened. The result is a neck that is svelte with good definition in the jaw/neckline area. Facial symmetry is improved because the lower third of the face is more proportionate after the procedure. Visit my online photo gallery to see the results of a weekend facelift patient.
Who is not a good candidate?
People who are not good candidates for a weekend facelift are typically those above the age of 60 and those who have a very significant amount of loose skin in the neck area with significant wrinkling in the neck and/or folds. These individuals are usually better candidates for a traditional facelift.
What is recovery like after a weekend facelift?
The term minimally invasive surgery has been used to describe this procedure because there is little interference with the tissues during the procedure and recovery is typically easy. Usual side effects are mild pain in the chin area for 2 to 3 days, bruising in the lower portion of the neck, some swelling in the anterior jaw area, and the neck area as well.
To find out more about the weekend facelift and other facial rejuvenation procedures, request a consultation online with Dr. G. D. Castillo or call one of our offices.