Mini Facelift Waco, TX

A mini facelift is a less invasive surgical procedure that targets early signs of aging in the lower face and jawline, providing subtle rejuvenation and a refreshed appearance with less downtime and a more complete face and neck lift.

Mini Facelift Procedure in Central Texas

What are the differences between a facelift and a mini facelift? They are both types of cosmetic surgery, procedures that lift and tighten sagging skin in the face and neck. Patients who have moderate amounts of excess skin, or who want to improve their appearance and limit the number and size of incisions, might be candidates for a mini facelift procedure in Waco, TX. At Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas, patients can receive services from Dr. Charles Guy, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Waco, TX.

What Is a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift uses only incisions around the ears to tighten the skin of the face. Because the incisions are smaller compared to those in a traditional facelift, a mini facelift doesn't address as much neck sagging, neck bands, or excess skin. However, a mini facelift does still tighten the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), the layer of connective tissue found below the skin, improve the jowls/jawline, and reduce moderate amounts of excess skin around the neck. It still lifts the lower face and neck but can have less swelling and downtime. As with a standard facelift, the skin will smooth and tighten in the lower part of the face, giving a more youthful appearance. Usually, a person who has experienced less visible aging is an ideal candidate for a mini facelift. Depending on the results you want and where you are starting from, a mini facelift could offer just the change you need.

What to Expect During Your Mini Facelift Procedure in Waco

A mini facelift can be done in the operating room (OR), where patients are placed under general anesthesia and are asleep during the procedure. Patients can also choose to have plastic surgery in the office, where after taking an oral medication to help you relax, the area is numbed with a series of injections. Dr. Guy will work with patients to decide on the best location and choice of anesthesia.

You will have a wrap around your head when you leave the procedure. This will be removed at the office the next morning.
You will need someone to drive you home from the procedure and stay with you for 24 hrs.
The sutures will be removed at the office. This usually takes place seven days after your procedure.
Most people go back to work within seven to ten days after the surgery.
There will be incisions around the ears that will extend into the hairline in front of the ear and behind the ear.
There will be some dried crusts along the incision that will need to be cleaned two to three times a day. Occasionally, some crusting will get into the ear canal, which can be irritating, but it will not cause any problems.
Mini facelifts are usually not particularly painful. However, you will be given pain medication to help with any discomfort.
You will also be placed on an antibiotic after the procedure.
There will be temporary swelling in the cheeks, jaw, and neck. This will slowly go down over time, but you can expect that 80% will be gone in two weeks.
For those with anatomically longer faces, the rest of the swelling will be gone in two to three months. However, those who have more of a round shape to their faces can sometimes have swelling that lasts longer.
Occasionally, there is swelling in a fold, or folds, behind the ears. This will flatten with time.
It is common to have some bruising around the ears after surgery. This will usually spread down to the lower neck over time before disappearing.

Take a look at our photo gallery showing the results obtained with mini facelifts from patients ranging from 35 to 60 years old. These patients were pleased with the outcomes of their surgeries at Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas.

Mini Facelift Before & After

View Gallery

Why Choose a Mini Facelift in Waco?

Since there are fewer incisions with a mini facelift, there is usually less scarring than with a traditional facelift procedure. Patients who want to reduce minimal signs of aging by tightening the skin of the face and removing excess skin may find a mini facelift the right type of cosmetic surgery for meeting their needs.

Some patients schedule an eye lift or brow lift to be performed at the same time. Patients can consult with Dr. Guy if they wish to have multiple procedures at once. Specializing in plastic surgery services from the collarbone up, he has the insight required to help patients make the right decision.

What Is an Extended Mini Facelift?

For all of his facelift procedures, Dr. Charles Guy utilizes the extended deep plane technique. The extended deep plane mini facelift differs from a standard mini facelift in several key ways. An extended deep plane mini facelift is a surgical procedure that offers more comprehensive rejuvenation than a standard mini facelift while remaining less invasive than a full facelift. While a traditional mini facelift primarily targets the mid and lower face and jawline, an extended deep plane mini facelift also addresses aging concerns in the brow. This procedure involves tightening underlying muscles and repositioning deeper facial tissues to provide more significant and longer-lasting results. The extended deep plane mini facelift aims to achieve natural-looking enhancements with minimal scarring and reduced downtime compared to a traditional facelift. At Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas, Dr. Charles Guy utilizes this advanced technique to customize treatments to each patient's unique needs, enhancing natural beauty without an “overdone” appearance.

Mini Facelift Plastic Surgeon in Central Texas

Receive expert cosmetic surgery from a board-certified plastic surgeon in Waco, TX, and the central Texas area. Our team at Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas makes sure each patient gets the care and attention they deserve. Discover excellent care close to home in Central Texas without needing to travel to Dallas or Austin for services. For more information about mini facelifts in Waco, TX, contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about mini facelift surgery:

How is a mini facelift different from a traditional facelift?

The difference between a mini facelift and a traditional facelift is the area of dissection. When Dr. Guy performs a mini facelift, he makes incisions only around the ears and performs an extended deep plane lift from here, lifting the mid and lower face with some lift to the neck. When he performs a traditional facelift, he does the extended deep plane lift in the face still but adds an incision under the chin, which allows better access to the neck area to help tighten the muscle under the chin. This procedure is called platysma plication and gives better lifting to the neck area.
Since Dr. Guy still performs an extended deep plane facelift for minis, patients will still experience some lift in the neck. An extended deep plane facelift involves lifting the musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) below the skin in the face, almost to the corner of the mouth and nose, along with the platysma in the neck for a more uniform lift and natural result.

What is the recovery time for a mini facelift?

The recovery time for all facelifts can vary based on the patient's facial shape. For most patients, about 80% of the swelling in the cheeks, jaw, and neck will subside about two weeks after surgery. Patients with round face shapes may notice swelling for longer. There might be swelling in the folds behind the ear that will disappear in time. Bruising varies from patient to patient. It typically extends down the neck to the upper chest before disappearing. You can expect the final results of a mini facelift after two months. This is also when Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas does post-op photos.

Will there be scarring after the procedure?

Dr. Guy works to hide incisions in the natural borders of the face. In general, scars heal well and are not distracting. Of course, every patient heals differently, so scarring may vary.

How long do the results of a mini facelift last?

A mini facelift can make a patient appear five to 10 years younger. However, it doesn't halt the aging process. You can prolong the results with radio frequency microneedling, fillers, and lasers. Also, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help preserve the results of a facelift.

Are there non-surgical alternatives to a mini facelift?

There are non-surgical alternatives like filler, but patients need to discuss their options with Dr. Guy to determine which treatment is best for their face and goals. Attempting to fix a surgical issue with a non-surgical solution, or vice versa, can deliver undesired results. Each patient is unique, and just because a procedure delivers great results for one patient doesn't mean it will for all. Dr. Guy and the team seek to understand your concerns and set realistic expectations about how to achieve them. This consultation also helps determine the appropriate procedures to realize your goals.

How much does a mini facelift cost?

The cost of a mini facelift can vary depending on many factors, like the patient's current medical situation, past treatments and the types of procedures they want done. Patients should schedule a consultation for more specific pricing information.

Can other procedures be combined with a mini facelift, for example, eyelid surgery or a brow lift?

Patients can combine other plastic surgery services procedures with their mini facelift, including:

What should I do to prepare for a mini facelift surgery?

Generally, patients should avoid wearing makeup and remove any jewelry on the day of the surgery and stop all nicotine products for two weeks before their surgery. Dr. Guy also recommends that patients choosing general anesthesia stop taking certain medications (like GLP-1 activators or others) for a time before surgery. Patients should plan how to get to and from surgery, and to have a caregiver in place to help the patient for the first 24-36 hours after the surgery.

What should I expect during the initial consultation?

When patients visit Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas for a consultation, Dr. Guy evaluates all aspects of a patient's health and concerns. This includes their current health, past medical history, previous surgeries/treatments and the types of procedures they want. From there, the team creates a treatment plan to address the patient's concerns and what can be done to achieve their goals.

How many mini facelift procedures have Dr. Charles Guy performed?

Dr. Charles Guy has extensive experience in facial plastic surgery, specializing in the collarbone up. He has six years of residency, one year of fellowship, and many years of practice. Patients can rely on this expertise to ensure optimal, natural results.

Can I see before-and-after photos of previous mini-facelift patients?

Yes – patients can view before-and-after images of past mini facelift procedures in the mini facelift photo gallery.

What kind of anesthesia is used for a mini facelift?

Patients undergoing a mini facelift in the operating room (OR) receive general anesthesia to be put completely asleep during the procedure. Patients can also undergo the mini facelift in the office, where they receive oral medications to relax them to a point of dozing in and out and injections of local anesthesia to numb the area. While you might feel tugging or pulling, you typically won't feel pain.

Will I need to stay overnight in the hospital after surgery?

Patients are not required to stay overnight following their surgery, whether the procedure is done in the office or the operating room.

What kind of follow-up care will I need?

After surgery, patients have wraps around their heads to limit excess fluid buildup. Patients return to the office the next morning to have these removed. Sutures are removed in the office about one week after surgery. Dr. Guy also prescribes an antibiotic and possibly narcotic pain medications (although usually only needed the first day after the surgery).
Some dried blood crusts will build up along the incisions that you will need to clean two to three times a day until no longer seen. Crusting and swelling might get into the ear canal. This can be irritating but is nothing more than an inconvenience and will improve with time.

When can I resume normal activities, like exercise or work, after a mini facelift?

Patients can return to work and other activities after about seven to ten days of recovery but in general no strenuous activity for two weeks. Dr. Guy and the team will go over specific instructions during follow-up appointments.