top facelift surgeon

Facelift / Mini Facelift in Englewood, CO

Manish Shah, M.D., FACS

Artistry Meets Precision: Dr. Shah’s
Approach to Facelifts

What Is a Facelift?

When anti-aging products aren’t enough, a facelift or mini facelift can be just what the doctor ordered since this surgery produces a younger, more contoured face by recontouring fat and tightening facial muscles and skin. A facelift is an effective way to treat lines, wrinkles, and droopy skin around the face and neck. If a patient doesn’t require a drastic change in appearance, South Denver facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Manish Shah, may suggest a mini facelift as an option.

In either type, incisions are made in discreet places such as the hairline or the folds of the ears or face to reduce the effects of scarring. Most patients can expect to look between 5 and 10 years younger afterward. As one of the best facelift surgeons in Denver, there isn’t another surgeon with the experience in facelift surgery that Dr. Shah has. He has performed over 4,000 face and neck lift procedures since 2005.

He has trained with the world’s best surgeons in both Deep Plane Facelift and High SMAS Facelift techniques, such as Dr. Sherrell Aston, Dr. Daniel Baker, Dr. Tim Martens, Dr. Andrew Jacono, Dr. Mike Nayak, and Dr. Brian Mendelson. Another benefit of surgery with Dr. Shah is that he is a master of facelift surgery under local anesthesia, allowing patients to avoid the risks and recovery issues associated with general anesthesia.

Artistry Meets Precision: Dr. Shah’s Approach to Facelifts

Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?

Most people who desire a facelift procedure want to tighten noticeable skin laxity around the middle and bottom regions of the face. A facelift can target many areas, depending on your personal needs. Candidates should understand that age won’t always dictate the best time to opt for a facelift.

There are numerous unique reasons, as well as multiple lift types, to inform the choice. The type of facelift used will be different for patients under 50 vs. those in their 60s and 70s. The condition of the skin is one of the primary elements in the decision-making process. Also, facelift patients should be in good overall health, refrain from smoking, and approach the surgery with realistic expectations for their results.

Please explore this informative animation to gain insights into various facelift procedures.

Types of Facelifts

Preservation Facelift in Denver

Preservation Facelift surgery, aka Preservation Deep Plane Facelift surgery, is a more advanced type of facelift surgery that focuses most of the work of lifting on the deep structures of the face while minimizing lifting, or delamination, of the skin. This allows for a very natural result that causes less skin damage and less dead space to heal under the skin. As a result, the risk of skin injury and fluid/blood collection can be minimized, and social recovery can be faster. Dr. Shah is one of the few surgeons in the U.S. with experience and expertise in this type of aging face surgery.

Deep Plane Facelift in Denver

For those who have severe cases of drooping and skin folds that are normal with aging and extensive sun exposure, a deep plane lift may be the best approach. This is especially true for those whose facial profiles need extensive reshaping on areas that typically have volume and tight contours. This involves a highly specialized skill set, and the plastic surgeon must be carefully selected as the nature of the procedure has a high chance of damaging the facial nerves. With a deep plane facelift, the deep structures (SMAS) are lifted in a block with the overlying skin. There is less skin undermining and a very natural redraping of the face. It is a very good procedure for managing heavy jowling and softening the nasolabial fold.

Traditional Facelift (SMAS)

SMAS is the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system, which is a muscle complex that is primarily active when it comes to facial expression. With normal wear-and-tear due to age, gravity, and personal habits, muscle tissue loses its form and becomes displaced significantly for those over 50. This particular facelift is considered the standard for this cosmetic procedure. With lengthy incisions on the side of the face, from the temple to the lower hairline behind the ear, the skin will be separated from the underlying muscles and lifted to reshape contours. If there is excess fat and skin, these will also be removed.

Mini Facelift

Mini Facelift

Also called a short-scar facelift because of the shorter incisions made, a mini lift is a quick treatment that corrects the middle and lower face. Many patients initially consider this technique, but this doesn’t correct severe issues and offers shorter-term results. Patients who undergo this procedure are most likely to require a full facelift in the future as a final step to fully rejuvenate and reshape the face to its youthful curves. So consider this when considering a Denver facelift vs. a mini facelift.

Skin-Only Facelift

Skin-Only Facelift

Also referred to as the cutaneous facelift, this technique removes excess and loose skin to create a tightened look. The remaining skin is repositioned to lift sagging cheeks and jowls. It also improves the profile along the jawline. With this facelift technique, the muscles or fat tissues are left untouched. As the treatment focuses on the skin only, recovery is quick. This is ideal for those who still have good tone muscle and distribution of fat but find the skin losing elasticity in some areas. This type of facelift has short-term results and is not favored by Dr. Shah.

Ultralift

Ultralift

In addition, Dr. Shah has revolutionized a procedure known as the Ultralift. Dr. Shah developed this procedure in 2011. It was designed to provide rapid recovery with less downtime but can still be performed as an outpatient surgery. A surgical ultrasound system is used to melt away fat and tighten skin to reshape the face with more natural results. Even though it’s a true surgical facelift, the “wind tunnel” look of a traditional facelift is avoided, resulting in a softer, more youthful appearance.

What Are The Benefits?

For our South Denver patients tired of droopy, sagging skin making them appear more aged than they feel, facelifts and mini facelifts are fantastic options. These procedures at Shah Aesthetic Surgery, a Denver area specialist in advanced facial cosmetic surgery, offer our patients a wealth of benefits, including:

  • Small, discreet points of entry
  • Easily camouflaged scars
  • Quickly noticeable anti-aging results
  • Increased confidence in photos and social encounters

Neck Lift and Deep Neck Lift: Enhancing Facial Contour and Definition

In addition to facelifts and mini facelifts, Dr. Manish Shah offers specialized procedures for those looking to address aging signs, specifically in the neck area. A neck lift and deep neck lift are surgical techniques designed to refine and rejuvenate the neck’s appearance, creating a more youthful and contoured profile.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift, also known as a lower rhytidectomy, targets the signs of aging in the jawline and neck. This procedure is ideal for patients who wish to correct issues such as loose neck skin, excess fat under the chin, and abnormal contours due to muscle banding in the neck. Dr. Shah employs precise techniques to remove excess skin, adjust underlying muscles, and improve the neck’s overall contour, resulting in a smoother, more defined neck and jawline.

What Is a Deep Neck Lift?

For patients requiring more extensive correction, a deep neck lift goes beyond the superficial layers to address the deeper structures of the neck. This advanced procedure is designed for those with significant neck sagging and jowling, focusing on enhancing the neck’s underlying musculature and removing deep-seated fat. By repositioning the platysma muscle and sculpting the neckline, Dr. Shah can dramatically improve neck aesthetics. The deep neck lift is often recommended for individuals with pronounced aging signs or those who seek a more comprehensive rejuvenation of their facial and neck profile.

Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?

Unrivaled Expertise and Dedication

Most people who desire a facelift procedure want to tighten noticeable skin laxity around the middle and bottom regions of the face. A facelift can target many areas, depending on your personal needs. Candidates should understand that age won’t always dictate the best time to opt for a facelift.

There are numerous unique reasons, as well as multiple lift types, to inform the choice. The type of facelift used will be different for patients under 50 vs. those in their 60s and 70s. The condition of the skin is one of the primary elements in the decision-making process. Also, facelift patients should be in good overall health, refrain from smoking, and approach the surgery with realistic expectations for their results.

Unrivaled Expertise and Dedication
Unrivaled Expertise and Dedication

During/After Surgery

Unrivaled Expertise and Dedication
All facelift procedures are performed in an accredited surgical facility with general anesthesia or in Dr. Shah’s office under oral sedation and local anesthesia. Even though this is considered an outpatient procedure, there are some cases where the patient stays overnight for monitoring. It is normal to experience bruising and swelling after the surgery, and patients will feel as if their face is being pulled tight. This subsides within a couple of weeks. Optimal results will be evident after several months. Activities must be limited to help create a safe and quick healing.

What To Expect After Facelift Surgery

Following your procedure, we will monitor your health until you can be safely released to be taken home by a responsible adult. Before your procedure, Dr. Shah or someone on his team will schedule your follow-up visits and discuss tips to help you recover faster and more comfortably. You should expect to have bruising and swelling, some moderate soreness, and discomfort, which can be reduced by pain medication. You should feel and look normal after several weeks and will see a more youthful look with fewer lines, wrinkles, and sagging. In all, your face will appear lifted and rejuvenated.