| What is the pain level after surgery: | Mild to moderate |
| Anesthesia type (if applicable): | Twilight (IV Sedation) |
| Duration of surgery: | Approximately 2-4 hours |
| Where will scarring for this procedure be: | Very well hidden around the ears and under the chin |
| Timeframe to begin showing final results: | Typically 2-3 weeks |
| When is the patient able to return to regular activities: | 1 week for most activites |
| When is the patient able to resume exercise: | 2 weeks |
Luxeliftsm Before & Afters
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
The VolumeLiftsm utilizes fat transfer to restore youthful volumes to the face that have either been lost with time or that the patient wishes to achieve for a more flattering appearance. Fat transfer, or fat injection, is a cosmetic procedure which uses the body’s own best, natural filler to soften or eliminate the appearance of wrinkles and folds in the face and restore youthful contours to the cheeks, around the eyes, in the temples, and in the lip and jawline areas. During the procedure, fat is removed from another area of the body such as the abdomen/belly and is then reinjected just beneath the skin. The result of the FaceLift and the VolumeLiftsm combined is a much more youthful, rejuvenated appearance than either on its own and helps to provide our patients with the natural results that leave others wondering how they look so young, without looking “done
If you are looking to improve sagging skin and wrinkles of the lower face, along with jowls and neck bands (“turkey wattle”), are looking to gain or restore the healthy glow of youth, and are physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, then the LuxeLiftsm may be right for you. Only an in-office consultation with Dr. Donath can confirm whether this is the best procedure for you.
During the consultation for a LuxeLiftsm, Dr. Donath will meet with you to examine your face, discuss your goals, and review your medical history. He will weigh other factors like skin type, ethnicity, individual healing, bone structure and skin elasticity to help determine if the LuxeLiftsm is right for you. Dr. Donath will explain the technique, the anesthesia, the surgical facility, the benefits, and risks, and he will address any questions or concerns that you may have. He may recommend additional procedures, such as facial liposuction, skin resurfacing, or eyelid procedures if they may help to achieve your desired look.
The LuxeLiftsm may be performed with a combination of anesthetics which may include mild sedatives, local anesthesia, and intravenous anesthesia to keep you completely comfortable. General anesthesia is rarely necessary but occasionally requested by patients.
Dr. Donath is an outstanding plastic surgeon, his knowledge base and skills are excellent and yield incredible results. The LuxeLiftsm (Facelift and fat transfer) gave me a natural, youthful look and I’m so grateful. Dr. Donath truly cares about the quality of his work and it shows he and his entire staff are caring kind and always available to answer any questions. I highly recommend Dr. Donath.
Why choose Dr. Donath — Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Donath begins with the facelift surgery by making very fine incisions which begin at the temples in the hairline or just behind it and continue discretely in the creases around and behind each ear, ending hidden in the hair-bearing area behind the ear. These incisions are carefully designed to allow patients to wear their hair back in a pony tail or in any other style without the fear of revealing scars which may be seen with less careful techniques; a large portion of Dr. Donath’s practice is devoted to revision procedures, in which less artfully performed procedures and scars are corrected and hairdressers routinely choose and refer to Dr. Donath because they have seen how much better results and scars can be.
An additional small incision may be made beneath the chin if the neck muscles need conservative tightening. Once the incisions are made and the skin is carefully elevated, Dr. Donath makes an entry line through the tissue layer called the SMAS (fibromuscular layer), which after elevation and release of the tethering ligaments allows the SMAS to be moved in a natural vector toward the cheek and temple where it is secured to maintain the lifted tissues in a youthful position. Excess fat may be removed if present, and excess skin is trimmed. Fine sutures are then placed in multiple layers to close the incisions in a way that allows optimal healing and helps prevent unwanted scarring effects. After the facelift portion of the procedure, Dr. Donath begins the VolumeLiftsm with either Fat Transfer or synthetic fillers. For Fat Transfer, Dr. Donath will remove fat from the donor area in the belly, waist, or thighs with methods somewhat similar to liposuction, but much gentler and with more attention to keeping the fat cells alive.
The fat is then prepared and carefully and methodically reinjected into the recipient sites in the face in a way that allows blood supply to reach the fat cells and keep them alive. This procedure takes time and patience to perform well in order to achieve lasting, smooth results; it is those surgeons who rush the procedure who are likely to achieve suboptimal, poor, or irregular/asymmetric results.
The LuxeLiftsm may take an average of a few hours to perform, but is done not to achieve particular speed, but to provide the best results possible. Like a beautiful, sought-after handbag, the results are judged based on their beauty and durability, rather than on time of production.
The incisions for the facelift typically begin in the hairline at the temples and then extend in front of and behind the ear, ending in the lower scalp. For patients requiring work on the neck, a small incision may also be made under the chin. The incision is sometimes adjusted in male patients to accommodate the natural beard lines and prevent beard hair from growing where it is not wanted, but this hair may also be removed by laser hair removal. The only incision made for the fat transfer is a tiny one in the donor area; the insertion in the key areas of the face is performed through a few tiny needle sticks which heal imperceptibly.
Expert Tips on Concealing Bruising After Facial Surgery
The incisions made for the facelift are painstakingly placed by Dr. Donath in such a way so that the resulting scars are well-concealed within the natural skin creases and the hairline so that you may wear your hair in any style, including tied in a ponytail, without them being visible. Scarring from the Fat Transfer portion of the procedure is typically imperceptible.
Patients are usually surprised that there is typically minimal discomfort after the LuxeLiftsm, though medication is prescribed to help with any discomfort that you may experience.
Patients can expect some amount of swelling and bruising after the LuxeLiftsm, and some numbness of the skin may occur as well. There is usually minimal pain, though medication will likely be prescribed. Dressings, if used, are typically removed within one to two days after surgery. We typically use drains and they will remain in place for 24-48 hours. Redness, bruising and swelling is variable but is greatly improved within 7 days. We incorporate our Rapid Recovery Techniquesm with every LuxeLiftsm. This includes supplements before and after surgery, intraoperative steps such as the use of tissue sealant to minimize bruising, and the use of our state-of-the-art laser technique for bruise elimination; the net result is that our patients are able to return to their social or work activities as quickly as possible, and typically within 7-10 days. In general, the recovery will vary somewhat from patient to patient, but the results are absolutely worth it.
Work and most other normal activities can usually be resumed within about one to two weeks after the LuxeLiftsm procedure. Patients who have synthetic fillers for their VolumeLiftsm will have less swelling and therefore can typically return to work sooner (usually at 7-10 days) than those who have a fat transfer (usually 10-14 days). The time to return to work and other activities is variable and mostly dependent upon the individual.
Patients will need to schedule a History and Physical, EKG and have their Complete Blood Count drawn by their Primary Care Physician within 30 days prior to their scheduled procedure. It is best that this evaluation is done by your regular physician so that all known medical information is included. Please read thoroughly the overall instructions given to you by Dr. Donath—they are intended to help ensure the best results and smoothest recovery. When reading all of the instructions, prepare questions you may have to take to your pre-operation visit. This will be scheduled 2 weeks prior to your surgery. During this appointment, Dr. Donath will review your History and Physical completed by your PCP, and discuss any questions you may have. To help minimize bruising and swelling, you may wish to obtain the optional supplements at your pre-op appointment as well. Additionally, prior to surgery, patients should arrange for a friend or family member to assist them during the recovery period—this includes a responsible adult to review the postoperative instructions with our staff, provide a ride home or to your hotel, and to be with you until the following morning in case you need assistance.
If you live in the states of Ohio or Kentucky, Donath Facial Plastic Surgery offers Luxeliftsm among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
