MACS LIFT (SHORT SCAR FACE LIFT)
MACS lift is an abbreviation for ‘Minimal Access Cranial Suspension-lift’: which means a “Minilift with vertical suspension of the sagging tissue, through a small incision’. The MACS lift was a revolutionary new procedure. This technique added a number of advantages of a full SMAS facelift to the traditional Minilift.
The MACS lift is therefore an improved Minilift: ideal for men and women with advanced signs of aging.
The advantages of the MACS lift are:
– Short procedure: 1.5 – 2 hours
– The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis
– Local anaesthetic or intravenous sedation
– Corrects muscle and connective tissue using vertical lifting
– Permanent thread for Cranial Suspension
– Natural-looking effect
– Long-lasting results
– Fast recovery: 7 to 14 days
– Small scar: in the fold in front of the ear
– Safe, with very few complications
PREPARING FOR YOUR PROCEDURE
– Two weeks before the surgery, you should not take any medications containing aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid), since these products affect the bloods clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, hence resulting increased bruising. Taking high doses of vitamin E, fish oil, eating large amounts of garlic and consuming alcohol can also produce the same result and should be avoided. If pain medication is necessary, we recommend you take voltaren/paracetamol.
– It is in your own best interests to quit smoking, at least two weeks before and until 2 weeks after surgery. It is well known that smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which leads to a decreased blood supply to the skin, thus slowing and interfering with the healing process.
– Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before your operation.
– Make certain you have someone to collect you and stay with you overnight after the surgery. You are not allowed to drive a car for 48 hours after the surgery, due to the effects of the anesthetic.
Your MACS Lift Procedure
1. The incision is made in the crease in front of the ear. The incision follows the natural crease in the skin so that after a few months the scar is barely noticeable.
2. Through this incision the surgeon detaches the skin from the cheeks up to the corner of the jaw near the neck.
3. The underlying muscles are tightened and lifted vertically.
4. Excess fat under the chin can be sucked away if necessary via a small hole the size of a pin-prick.
5. When all the subcutaneous skin structures have been corrected the skin is tightened so that it looks natural.
6. Excess skin is removed and the small incision in front of the ear is stitched up.
The MACS lift procedure is carried out under intravenous sedation so there will be no pain and you will sleep through the operation.
MACS lift procedure usually takes between two to two and a half hours.