Understanding the difference between Surgical Facelifts and Drive-Thru Lifts

By: Dr. Russell W. Kridel

12/5/2012


During the holiday season, we often see an increase in advertising and marketing of a lifting technique for faces referred to by names such as: the mini-lift, weekend lift, and lunchtime lift. Most of these lifts rely on very minimal, if any, dissection. We refer to them as “Drive-Thru Lifts” because their indications are for patients with limited signs of aging and the longevity of the results from such techniques are short lived --- only about 2-3 years. At Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, Dr. Russell Kridel does not perform this type of treatment. For those patients with more limited or early signs of aging, Dr.Kridel will recommend other non-surgical options (ex: Fraxel, Ulthera, Thermage, Botox, Restylane --- among others) based on a patient’s individual needs (determined at the time of consultation) that he knows will provide terrific facial rejuvenation benefits and be more cost-effective. He feels this is very important, rather than seeing the patient spend thousands of dollars now on a “Drive-Thru Lift”, only to have to repeat the procedure in another two to three years. For patients with more significant signs of aging such as jowling and sagging, a true surgical facelift will be more appropriate. When Dr. Kridel performs a facelift, it is a surgical procedure that involves meticulous dissection, lifting and re-draping, and impeccable attention to detail to hide incisions so that they will not be detected. The results provide a more youthful, rested and natural appearance that helps re-set the aging clock back by more than ten years. Just ask one of our patients.

To view a wide array of videos about facelift surgery with Dr. Kridel click here

--- Kirin, Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, Houston TX

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.