While it’s important to take many things into consideration (not to mention, book a consult with a reputable cosmetic surgeon) before choosing to undergo facial plastic surgery (a face or lid lift, for example), the downtime involved can be a major factor in the decision-making process. Luckily, modern-day minimally invasive techniques and trends have resulted in speedier recovery times and far less downtime (not to mention, the very real possibility of less pain!). A local expert (and, with his years of experience and specialized expertise, our personal go-to) in these matters is Dr. Buonassisi of 8 West Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Skin Clinic in Vancouver; here, he offers some valuable insights into two minimally invasive (yet maximum yield) facial plastic surgery procedures. —Vita Daily
sliver blepharoplasty. This minimally invasive upper and lower eyelid lift (a.k.a. a sliver blepharoplasty) sees a small amount (or a "sliver") of excess skin removed from the upper and/or lower eyelids. It is less invasive than a traditional blepharoplasty, and requires much less downtime. Most patients have the procedure done while they are fully awake, using only local anesthesia; Dr. Buonassisi simply marks the excess skin, injects a small amount of lidocaine into the lids and then precisely removes the excess skin before repairing the area with fine sutures. Ideal for patients who have a small amount of laxity in the eye area, this procedure takes roughly an hour and, if only local anesthesia is used, the patient can even drive themselves home. Post-procedure pain is typically very mild and easily managed with Tylenol. Swelling and bruising are similarly mild. Generally speaking, patients are ready to be back in the "public eye" within a week. And the benefits? Think tightened upper eyelid skin and more show of the upper eyelid crease to make the eyes look bigger. In other words: eyes that look more youthful and contoured (bonus: eye makeup becomes easier to apply!).
mini facelift. Also known as a minilift, this is a minimally invasive modified version of a traditional facelift. In the “mini” version, Dr. Buonassisi uses small incisions around the hairline to help lift the lower half of the face, to help correct sagging skin. Recovery from a mini facelift is faster and much easier than a full facelift, with less bruising and swelling. A minilift works well for patients who are in the earlier stages of facial aging (generally mid 30s to 40s) and are just beginning to see signs of aging. Among the benefits you can expect to see: modest tightening of the jaw line and lower face.
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