Facelift Surgery & M.I.F.A.C.E. Gold Coast

The natural signs of aging can affect skin elasticity, leading to fine lines and a reduction in facial muscle tone on your neck and face. This can sometimes make a person look older than they feel. Losing facial contours can also be hereditary, the result of stress, environmental factors such as sun exposure, or the natural aging process. Many patients seek procedures such as a facelift rhytidectomy, a deep plane facelift, or a mini facelift to address these concerns, and our specialist plastic surgeon can advise on the best approach.

Undergoing a facelift or MIFACE (day facial surgery that is unique to The Lotus Institute) can help reduce the visible signs of aging by removing excess skin.

What is a face lift and MIFACE?

A facelift is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure that tightens the facial skin, thereby removing unwanted wrinkles and addressing issues such as fine lines. By tightening the underlying facial muscles and repositioning loose skin, a facelift procedure can restore smoother contours around your face and neck. The visible signs of aging that occur throughout our lives can be due to environmental conditions, stress, heredity, gravity, or sun exposure.

Minimally Invasive Face and Cervical Elevation (or MIFACE), developed by The Lotus Institute’s very own Dr Peter Widdowson, provides an alternative to a full facelift and targets just the neck and lower face. It can be considered a form of mini facelift or partial lift procedure, often involving less swelling and bruising compared to a traditional facelift. It can be performed under general anaesthetic with just a day stay in hospital needed to complete the operation.

Our clients have shared their facelift before and after photos – clients have consented to share these photos and they have not been altered in any way.

Who would be considered for face lift or MIFACE surgery?

If you are looking to improve the overall skin elasticity and muscle tone in your face and neck, then you may be a good candidate for facelift or MIFACE surgery. These surgical procedures can help tighten facial muscles, remove excess skin, and reshape areas where sagging or jowls have formed.

If you have noticed a loss of skin tone or sagging and contours appearing around your neck or chin, this surgery may be beneficial to you. Removing excess skin or performing a plane lift (as part of a plane facelift procedure) can help restore definition and reduce the signs of aging.

As with most surgery, candidates should be in good health, follow a regular exercise routine, and maintain a balanced diet.

For those candidates considering MIFACE surgery, you would be looking to target your neck and lower face during this less radical operation. Our specialist plastic surgeon will advise the most appropriate method based on your unique physiology.

How can scars be minimised?
Incisions for facelift surgery are usually made behind the hairline at the top of the ear and extend to the bottom of the ear so that the incision remains hidden behind the ear. This technique makes it possible to address signs of aging while keeping scarring discreet. That said, it is important to discuss your expectations with your surgeon so that you are completely aware of where the scarring may occur. Caring for your scars post-surgery will involve at-home treatment which will be discussed with you in detail during your pre-operation consultations. Following specific instructions closely can help ensure excess skin removed during the procedure heals well.

What is expected after your face lift surgery?
Most of the discomfort you may feel after your facelift surgery can be managed by oral medication, and sutures will be removed around 10 days post-surgery. You will also start to notice that swelling and bruising will decrease in about 2-3 weeks after your facelift surgery. If you have a desk job, then you could potentially return to work after about two weeks, and although you might still feel sore or stiff, you should be able to manage quite comfortably. Face numbness may occur as your sensation recovers; however, this is temporary and will go away over time. It is also crucial to follow all guidelines from your specialist plastic surgeon and maintain realistic expectations about your facelift procedure and recovery.

What are the potential risks associated with this surgery?
There are risks and possible complications associated with any type of surgical procedure, and undergoing a facelift or MIFACE operation will involve a certain amount of risk. Although the surgeries are generally safe, it is important that you discuss any and all concerns with your surgeon during your consultations. With this particular type of surgical lift, you may notice swelling, bruising, nerve damage, and quite possibly infection. Following pre- and post-operation instructions and care routines will go towards helping avoid potential risks and supporting a timely recovery.

Pre-operation requirements

Prior to your facelift on the Gold Coast, you will be actively involved in consultations with your surgeon. They will discuss your medical history, any allergies, and what you are looking to achieve from your surgery. Through a thorough discourse and in-depth facial examination, evaluating everything from the condition of your neck skin area to facial muscles, our team will create a tailored treatment plan. The goal is to manage expectations and ensure we can deliver a natural yet taut and lifted face and neck that maintains harmony between your facial features.

Before your facelift procedure, we will discuss any medications you may need to cease consuming two weeks prior to surgery. Some of these medications include aspirin-related drugs, including over-the-counter medicines, Vitamin E, blood-thinning antioxidants, fish oils, herbal extracts and other supplements. Your surgeon will also take ‘before’ photos for your medical records during consultations.

If you’re a smoker, there is an increased risk of post-surgery complications. To ensure your health and optimal healing for your MIFACE facelift or plane facelift, we strongly recommend abstaining from smoking before and after your facelift on the Gold Coast.

After the facelift procedure, our team of highly trained experienced nursing and patient care staff will help you with your recovery. This could include tips to reduce swelling and bruising and guidance to minimise visible scarring.

Most of our clients heal well after undergoing a facelift in Brisbane and can enjoy their refreshed look in a number of weeks. To help ensure a smoother recovery, we recommend the following:

Observe all after-care recommendations provided by your surgeon and team
Allow your body to rest so you can heal without post-surgery complications
Avoid smoking for up to three months
Avoid exercise for six to eight weeks post-facelift surgery
Wear compression and support garments
Avoid lifting heavy items for the first four weeks
Avoid consuming alcohol

Looking to secure facelift surgery in Brisbane or the Gold Coast and achieve transformative results? Review our clients’ before and after photos below.

What do I need to know before booking a consultation for a face and neck lift surgery ?

Anyone considering cosmetic surgery from 01 July 2023 will need to provide a GP referral to their Plastic Surgeon. In addition to this, the patient must attend two consultations with their Surgeon, including one face-to-face consultation. This face-to-face consultation with your Surgeon must be at least seven days before the day of your procedure.

How much does a face lift cost?

The price of our plastic surgery services will largely depend on your unique case. Costs include the surgeon’s fees, as well as all necessary pre- and post-operational care, anaesthetic and theatre fees. Indicative pricing will be discussed upon completion of your initial consultation. During this time, your specialist plastic surgeon may confirm whether a traditional facelift or a M.I.F.A.C.E procedure is best suited to address your concerns.

Lift and sculpt your face with the best facelift surgery at The Lotus Institute

As one of the Gold Coast’s leading Plastic Surgery clinics, The Lotus Institute can help reduce the signs of aging with MIFACE or traditional facelift procedure.

Specialiasing in cosmetic surgical procedures and non-surgical treatments, our decades of expertise and specialised techniques ensure you can address everything from removing excess skin to improving fine lines. Our plastic surgeon, Dr Peter Widdowson, who developed MIFACE, will recommend which type of procedure is the best option for your concerns. If you want to learn more about our procedures, contact us today, our expert team is happy to help.

A facelift works by tightening underlying muscles, removing excess fat, gently redraping the skin of your face and restoring the contour of your neck. This comprehensive lift procedure gives you a smooth jawline, reduces jowls, and can diminish signs of aging, but doesn’t change your normal expression.

As excess skin removed helps restore contours, the visible transformation can help you feel confident in your skin.

A facelift is often combined with other ancillary procedures such as eyelid surgery, a forehead or brow lift, liposuction (to remove fat), nose reshaping, removal of skin blemishes, laser resurfacing and/or chemical peel treatment.

Although a facelift and ancillary procedures can produce a harmonious, fresh appearance from forehead to neck, not all wrinkles, furrows and folds will disappear – especially those of long-standing where there is some permanent skin damage.

Enquire about our Facial Procedures today

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FAQs

What is a MIFACE face and neck lift?

A MIFACE face and neck lift surgery (platysmaplasty) is a transformative aesthetic surgery enhancement exclusively developed by The Lotus Institute’s Peter Widdowson MB chB FRACS. Our unique procedure uses discreet and hidden incisions behind the ears and hairline and harnesses various techniques, including laser skin resurfacing and fat grafting, to lift and tighten your lower face and neck skin.

The Lotus Institute’s face and neck lifts (platysmaplasty) on the Gold Coast offer a less invasive alternative to traditional facelift that are designed to tighten the facial skin, reduce the visible signs of ageing, and support natural alignment of your facial muscles.

Am I a good candidate for a MIFACE facelift?

People with loose skin, diminished skin elasticity and experiencing a decline in muscle tone, specifically in the lower facial region, are more likely to observe the most notable outcomes through a face and neck lift surgery (platysmaplasty). If you have found that fine lines, excess skin, and general signs of aging are becoming more prominent, you may be a candidate.

The MIFACE facelift is designed to address common skin and face structure concerns, including jowls, double chins, and lifting and tightening loose skin. It’s also an alternative to enhance the definition of your jawline and chin contours. For those seeking more comprehensive correction, a traditional facelift might be beneficial to further reduce wrinkles and signs of ageing.

If you’re interested in discovering the possibilities and benefits a MIFACE face and neck lift (platysmaplasty) can offer, feel free to get in touch and our qualified specialist plastic surgeon will be happy to discuss what results you can expect to achieve.

What can I expect during the recovery period after a MIFACE facelift?

As a MIFACE facelift is a day surgery requiring only general anaesthesia, you can expect a quicker recovery than a traditional face and neck lift (platysmaplasty). Any residual pain or discomfort can be managed with general medication. Within two to three weeks, you can expect swelling and bruising to have subsided, enabling you to return to work and other light activities.

At this time, and up to three months post-surgery, we recommend avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, participating in intense sports and lifting heavy objects. During your consultation and before your neck lift (platysmaplasty), our expert team will detail all potential stressors you should avoid to ensure you get the best level of care and achieve long-lasting benefits from your facelift procedure or surgical lift.

How long do the results of a MIFACE facelift last?

Our MIFACE face and neck lift surgery (platysmaplasty) delivers lasting results for several years to come with regular maintenance from skin relaxants like anti-wrinkle injections. However, it’s not impervious to the aging process or from experiencing the effects of weight gain, which can change the contours of your newly defined face. Whether you choose a mini facelift or a traditional facelift, your surgeon will provide post surgery information to maintain your facelift, including advice to avoid overexposure to the sun.

Is the procedure painful?

No — our expert team will best manage your care during and after your procedure with a general anaesthetic and medication. While the treatment isn’t considered painful, some discomfort is normal, like any aesthetic cosmetic enhancement. In the days following your procedure, you may notice tightness in your facial muscles, but this usually subsides with time.

What are the potential risks or complications associated with a MIFACE facelift?

As with any aesthetic surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with a MIFACE face and neck lift (platysmaplasty). While they are rare, they can occur. Some possible risks include allergic reactions to the anaesthetic, asymmetrical results, and nerve damage. Excess skin removed during the procedure can also leave scars, although they are typically minimal and well-concealed.

Can I combine a MIFACE facelift with other reconstructive and aesthetic procedures?

Yes — many patients opt to include non-surgical treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers in the forehead and around the orbital bone. It is also possible to combine a facelift (platysmaplasty) with other enhancements such as eyelid surgery. Contact us for more information or to discuss this procedure further.

Face Lift before and after photos

Each of our clients has consented to share their photos and these images have not been altered in any way. With exceptional results and minimal scarring, facelift surgery can refresh and restore your complexion and only requires a day’s stay in the hospital. Whether you are considering a mini facelift to target a smaller area or a more comprehensive facelift rhytidectomy, our gallery showcases the potential transformations possible.