The UpLift Facelift

This low down-time facelift is ideal for those individuals with sagging tissues along the jawline and upper neck. It differs from most of the other “Mini-lifts” because it is not simply a skin suspension procedure or a simple SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) suturing procedure. The UpLift involves complex neck reconstruction with a muscle reattachment procedure, liposuction if needed, as well as tightening of the support system of the face (the superficial musculoaponeurotic system or SMAS) with a SMAS flap. Incisions are hidden inside the ear, around the earlobe, and under the chin.

The beauty of this procedure is that it offers dramatic results, with about a one week recovery. The UpLift is performed under local anesthesia, and takes about 2½ hours to perform. There are no drains involved.

Dr. Anurag Agarwal, a Naples board certified facial plastic surgeon, has been modifying his facelift technique over the past 4 years, and feels that The UpLift offers an ideal solution for tightening the jawline and upper neck. This type of a facelift does not replace the need for an endoscopic midface lift or a quadraplanar lower face and neck lift in the appropriate patient. An individual consultation with one of our Naples board certified facial plastic surgeons can help determine which procedure is ideally suited for your face, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Video

The UpLift Part I Dr. Agarwal discusses The UpLift procedure and interviews Sharon pre- and 10 days post-operatively..

The UpLift Part II Actual surgical video footage from Sharon's UpLift procedure is shown. Warning: This video is graphic, and includes incisions, liposuction, the SMAS flap, neck muscle reconstruction, etc...

Before & After Photos
Pre - Op		2 Years Post - Op
click photo to enlarge
Pre - Op		2 Years Post - Op
click photo to enlarge
The before and after photos demonstrate a sampling of the results of Drs. Maloney and Agarwal, and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary. Consult your physician about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits, prior to undergoing any procedure.

How do I know if I am a candidate for an UpLift?
An individual consultation with one of our Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Maloney or Dr. Agarwal, is the best way to determine which procedure is best suited to meet your goals. During this consultation, the surgeon will examine you, and computer imaging will be utilized to demonstrate proposed changes to you.

What is the right age to have an UpLift?
This procedure can be performed on anyone ages 35 and up. Because this procedure is performed under local anesthesia, there is no age limit. The underlying tissue layer is strengthened during this procedure, specifically along the jaw line and upper neck. Anyone with looseness in this area is a candidate for the UpLift.

How long is the recovery process?
Generally speaking, it takes one to two weeks for most of the swelling and any bruising to resolve. This can vary from individual to individual. Make-up can be applied within one week after an UpLift.

How long do the results last?
An UpLift will make you look younger than your chronologic age. However, you will continue to age after the procedure. Because the technique is a modification of established traditional facelifting techniques, the results should have the same longevity. The best way to think about this is setting the clock back on the aging calendar. For example, if you are currently 65 years old, and after a facelift you look 55 years old, then 10 years from now you will look 65, not 75 years old. You will always look younger than you would if you had not had the facelift.

Are there any drains after the procedure?
The beauty of an UpLift is that drains are not required. In rare circumstances, ultra-thin drains may be used for two days post-operatively in order to reduce bruising and swelling. If drains are used, these are removed easily in the office.

Do I need someone to take care of me after my UpLift?
You will need someone to help you for one day post-operatively. If a supportive friend or family member is not available, then home nursing can be arranged through our office.

What kind of anesthesia is utilized during an UpLift?
This procedure is done with oral sedatives. No intravenous line or intravenous medication is used, unless requested by the patient. Local anesthetic injections are used during the first 10 minutes of the procedure.

Am I going to bruise after an UpLift?
There is mild bruising after an UpLift. This varies from individual to individual. Make-up can be applied within one week.

Are there stitches and when are they removed?
Our facial plastic surgeons use fine, delicate sutures to close all incisions. The majority of these are dissolvable. The remaining sutures are removed about 7-9 days post-operatively.

Where is the procedure performed?
All procedures are performed at our state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center (DOSC). DOSC is fully certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

When I can workout after an UpLift?
You will be able to resume walking exercises about 7 days post-operatively. You will be able to start running and weight training after two weeks, and advance from there.

When can I play golf after my UpLift?
Generally speaking, you can begin putting and chipping at ten days. You can resume your full swing at three weeks.

When can I swim after an UpLift?
You can submerge your head 3 to 4 days post-operatively.

When can I color my hair?
Ideally, we recommend coloring your hair a couple of days before your UpLift. You can color it again 3 weeks post-operatively.

Is an UpLift painful?
Most patients tolerate the 10 minute local anesthetic injection process very well. Post-operatively, you may experience a tight sensation, temporary numbness, and slight discomfort. Pain is uncommon after any facial plastic surgery.

When can I drive?
After an UpLift facelift, you will be able to drive your own car about two days post-operatively, provided that you are not still taking narcotic pain medicine.

How long do I need to be in town after an UpLift and when can I fly again?
At the Aesthetic Surgery Center, we have many national and international patients who fly to Naples for their facial plastic surgery. We ask that you remain in town for at least 7 days after an UpLift. After that, you are free to fly.

How long will the scars be noticeable after an UpLift?
The incisions for an UpLift are hidden within the ear and under the chin. The scars are slightly red and noticeable upon close inspection for one month post-operatively. Beyond that, they fade and blend in beautifully.

If I am a smoker, can I have an UpLift?
Smoking has been shown in numerous scientific publications to dramatically affect the healing of facial skin and soft tissues post-operatively. At the minimum, you should stop smoking completely 2 weeks prior and for 2 weeks after an UpLift. If you absolutely cannot stop smoking, hyberbaric oxygen may be utilized before and after the UpLift to reduce but not eliminate the chances of wound healing problems.

Do I have to stop any medications before my facial plastic surgery?
Our nurses at the Aesthetic Surgery Center will provide you with a comprehensive list of medications (both prescription and non-prescription) that are known to increase bleeding and affect wound healing after surgery. These should be stopped about 10 days pre-operatively.