Blog

SmartLift™ in Denver, CO

Have you noticed the signs of aging in your face are becoming more apparent? If so, you’re not alone. Various factors, including sun exposure, stress, and gravity, adversely affect the condition of your skin as you get older. As we age, fine lines and wrinkles worsen to form deep creases, and our skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag, which often causes many to lose their self-confidence.

Traditionally, many choose to undergo a facelift or mini-facelift to eliminate these signs of aging and restore a more youthful facial appearance. However, these procedures are invasive and usually require general anesthesia and a longer recovery time.

Advancements in both technology and techniques have given us the ability to perform these traditionally invasive procedures in a less invasive way, including the SmartLift™.

The SmartLift™ is one of the most effective treatments to reverse the signs of aging, and Dr. Khoury is one of only a handful of surgeons in the United States performing this technique.

Benefits of the SmartLift™

The SmartLift™ procedure can address and improve many of problems associated with facial aging. Some of the benefits of the SmartLift™ include:

• Removes excess fat underneath the chin
• Reduces wrinkles and folds in the neck
• Eliminates jowls
• Improves marionette lines
• Stimulates the production of collagen
• Tightens the skin
• Same benefits as any traditional facelift

Advantages of the SmartLift™

Besides providing long-lasting results, the SmartLift™ offers the following advantages over traditional facelift surgery:

• Less invasive
• Shorter operation time
• Increased safety with local anesthesia, but it can be performed under general anesthesia as well
• Less discomfort during and after treatment
• Less bruising and swelling
• Faster healing and recovery
• Fewer complications

How the SmartLift™ Is Performed

The SmartLift™ procedure is performed by inserting the Smartlipo™ laser beneath the skin to function as a very precise heated scissor. The heat from the laser also tightens the skin to stimulate the production of collagen, revealing a smoother, more defined, and younger-looking facial appearance.

If you want to achieve a more youthful appearance facial appearance without the consequences that invasive surgical procedures leave behind, we encourage you to contact our Denver practice today. Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Edmon Khoury has years of experience performing facial plastic surgery procedures, including the SmartLift™ procedure. Please call (720) 475-8400 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your personalized consultation with international facial plastic surgeon Dr. Khoury.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2015 at 11:39 pm and is filed under Colorado Cosmetic Surgery, Denver Cosmetic Surgery, Facelift, Laser SmartLift, Standard Facelift. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

SmartLifting™

Denver’s Laser Assisted Facelifts

We are excited to announce that Denver Cosmetic Surgery is the only center in the West to be performing laser assisted facelifts – SmartLifting™. Dr. Khoury is one of only 5 surgeons in the country performing these procedures. He will also be one of the national and international instructors training new surgeons on this revolutionary new technique.

SmartLifting was discovered by Dr. Richard Gentile in Ohio a few years ago. He applied the laser from a Smart Liposuction machine to the undersurface of the facial skin through a small incision less than 1cm. Prior to that, the laser was being utilized in the neck with great success, but not on the face. Dr. Gentile, a friend and colleague of Dr. Khoury has since refined the technique to allow the laser to assist in face lift procedures. This is the first major technological advancement in facelifts for over 20 years. It allows for shorter operating time, less bruising and swelling, increased safety, less complications, quick recovery, and greater skin tightening.

SmartLifting is not to be confused with the trade named minilifts that exist today, such as Quicklift, Lifestyle Lift or the Lunch Time Lift. SmartLifting is a totally different technique that can be applied in several ways, but all have one common principle, utilizing the Smartlipo Laser (made by Cynosure) to the under surface of the skin. This is the opposite of what we are used to doing, applying the laser to the surface of the skin. The four major applications include:

Laser Facial Sculpting™: This is the most minimal invasive application. It essentially applies the laser under the skin of the face with targeted liposuction. This is performed through 2-3 small 1cm incisions.

SmartLook™: Is the inside/outside use of laser. The laser is used, as in laser facial sculpting, under the skin, then followed by surface laser resurfacing with a fractional carbon dioxide laser.

UltraMiniLift™: This is a mini face lift performed with the laser. The major advantage over a non laser assisted minilift is the greater degree of skin tightening long term.

Laser SmartLift™: This is a laser assisted facelift that offers a full facelift result, but within the least invasive setting.

If you are interested in finding out more about SmartLifting, visit our website DenverCosmeticSurgery.Com or call for a complimentary consult with Dr. Khoury. He will explain and present in detail the benefits of this new technique.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 11:34 am and is filed under Colorado Cosmetic Surgery, Denver Cosmetic Surgery, Facelift, Facial Rejuvenation, Full Facelift, Home, Laser Facial Sculpting™, Laser SmartLift, Mini Facelift, SmartLift™, SmartLook™, Standard Facelift, UltraMiniLift™. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Denver Facelift Procedures, Part 2

The three basic types of facelifts being performed today are:

Mini-lift 

As the name suggests, a mini-lift is the least invasive of all facelifts. Younger patients with early aging changes in their jaw line are the best candidates for this type of lift. A mini-lift will not adequately address significant aging changes in the neck or cheek area. It is performed through limited incisions in front of the ear to target the underlying muscle layer (SMAS) in a more limited fashion.

This less invasive type of facelift does not necessarily mean minimal results.  Whether a mini-lift is the right choice for a patient depends on the degree of aging that needs to be addressed.  Ideal patients for a mini-lift have not fully aged.  A mini-lift should not be performed on a patient who needs a more extensive facelift, though.  Such a patient would likely only see minimal results.

Standard Facelift

A standard facelift is the most commonly performed facelift.  It is also known as a regular facelift, an intermediate facelift, an extended SMAS facelift, and a traditional facelift. This type of facelift addresses aging in the jaw line and moderate neck laxity, which is why incisions typically go around the ear to allow the surgeon access to both areas. Recovery is longer than for a mini-lift, but not by much time. The muscle layer (SMAS) is addressed and mobilized in a more thorough fashion compared to a mini-lift.  This prolongs the result and restores the youthful contours of the face and neck.

Full Facelift

A full facelift is the gold standard for patients with extensive aging in the cheeks, jaw line, and neck.  It is also known as a deep plane facelift.  A full facelift addresses the drooping soft tissue apparent in an aging face. It is the most effective procedure and has the longest recovery time, typically 10 to14 days before a patient resumes public life. The incisions are the same as those used in a standard facelift, but the scope of surgery is broader.

Trademarked facelifts, for example the “Lifestyle Lift®,” have catchy names that provide a branding mechanism. Most of these lifts fall into the mini-lift category, but they may also cross-over into a standard facelift, depending on the surgeon. Since they are mainly mini-lifts, they are less involved and “quick,” theoretically able to be performed over a “lunch time break,” which provides the basis for many of the names. From a technical standpoint, there is nothing unique about them other than the name. Regardless of the name, what is important to ascertain is the extent of the surgery and whether the muscle layer (SMAS) is being appropriately addressed. No facelift will last if the SMAS is not appropriately addressed.

My knowledge of facelifts comes from performing over 2,000 of them.  Most have been standard facelifts, with the rest equally divided between full facelifts and mini-lifts. What differentiates me from many cosmetic surgeons is my ability to perform most facelifts under local anesthesia (like at the dentist) with the patient awake and comfortable. This reduces the anesthetic risk, speeds recovery, and reduces the cost.   I offer patients their choice of setting – local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia – to match their preferences.  Why settle for a minlift when you can get a standard lift under the same settings and recovery period.

Facelifts are my passion.  Having performed such a large number of them, I have an appreciation for the aesthetic needs that are unique to every patient. It is not enough to merely perform the core maneuvers that constitute a facelift.  A cosmetic surgeon must also address the subtle differences of each patient and include fine touches to create an amazing and natural result.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 9:34 am and is filed under Facelift, Facial Rejuvenation, Full Facelift, Home, Mini Facelift, Standard Facelift. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Denver Facelift Procedures, Part 1

Facelift terminology in Denver can be confusing, especially in today’s market with the introduction of attention-grabbing, catchword branded facelifts. I decided to blog about facelift terminology after noticing how confused many patients are about the variety of facelift brands and names. My goal is to provide you with a set of terms that will help you better understand facelifts.

A facelift is the best method to rejuvenate an aging face.   In general, all facelifts – whether minimally-invasive or more extensive – are technically lower facelifts. They address the changes associated with aging in the lower two-thirds of the face – namely the cheeks and jaw line (the “jowls”).  They may also indirectly improve some aging changes in the neck. The eyelid and forehead areas and more direct changes to the neck are addressed through separate procedures, which may be performed alone or in combination with a facelift.

When patients use the term “full facelift,” they often are referring to multiple procedures – for example, a facelift and a forehead lift or a facelift with an eyelift. When most surgeons use the term “full facelift,” they are usually referring to the most extensive type of lower facelift, described below.

There are three basic types of facelifts:

A mini-lift, a standard facelift and a full facelift.  Each type is intended to address different degrees of sagging and aging that may have occurred.  A patient should realize an exceptional result if the appropriate lift is performed. In addition, subtle maneuvers and variations within each technique allow for a unique result.

Regardless of the type of facelift, a few important elements are essential to a great result:

• Addressing the muscle layer that sags with aging (known as the SMAS muscle in medical terms) so that it is “lifted” back into position, rejuvenating the face.
• A natural appearance to the facelift.  The goal is to look youthful and natural. The most amazing facelift results do not reveal any hints of surgery. Comments such as, “You look well rested – did you just return from vacation?” or “Did you do something to your hair?” should be the norm. A patient should not receive the question, “Did you have a facelift?”
• All incisions should be placed so that they are well concealed and, once fully healed, virtually undetectable.  In general, an incision in front of the ear allows a surgeon access to the cheeks and jaw line.  An incision behind the ear allows access to the neck.
• A patient-physician relationship built on trust and mutual understanding. A patient must feel comfortable and at ease with his or her surgeon. Otherwise, the outcome and experience may be less than optimal.
• Reasonable expectations from the patient.
• Appropriate follow-up course and care.

Part 2 of this post coming soon!!!

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pm and is filed under Facelift, Facial Rejuvenation, Full Facelift, Home, Mini Facelift, Standard Facelift. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.