MACS Lift

• A MACS lift is always performed under general anesthesia. This means you’ll stay overnight at our clinic afterward so that your blood pressure and heart rate can be monitored. If you’re feeling well the next morning and the plastic surgeon deems it safe, you may go home under supervision.

  Before the general anesthesia is administered, the plastic surgeon will mark the area where the procedure will take place. An incision will then be made starting at the temple along the hairline and extending downward in front of and behind your ear.

  This allows the skin and the layer of connective tissue between the skin and muscles to be released. First, the connective tissue will be repositioned to its original location. The tissue will also be shortened by pleating it—that is, by folding it in half and suturing it to the underlying layers. This will give you more volume around your jawline.

  After the excess tissue has been removed, the skin in front of and behind the ear is sutured with a dissolvable suture.

  Because a strip of skin has been removed, tension is created. This creates a risk that your scars may not heal as nicely. That is why plastic surgeon Artiss uses skin adhesive. By first bonding the underlying tissue, there is less tension on the sutures, and the scar heals with a visibly better appearance.

  Another product that can be used is Tisseel, which ensures effective hemostasis. This means that minor bleeding is stopped, reducing the risk of post-operative bleeding. The airtight bonding also reduces tissue fluid buildup (edema), leading to better recovery and a faster final result.

  Thanks to this adhesive, patients no longer need drains or pressure bandages. Only a headband is needed to protect the wound.

After the surgery, you may experience a mild, pulling pain and a pulling sensation. This is because the skin and underlying tissue are under slight tension. The area around your ears may also be tender. This is normal and will subside after a few days.

Recovery
In addition to post-operative pain, your body also needs time to recover. Initially, the treated area will be bruised, tender, and swollen. Immediately after the MACS lift, your scars may be red and raised. Don’t be alarmed by this—these are natural reactions of the body. Keep in mind that the swelling and bruising usually worsen during the first three days. This, too, will gradually subside afterward.

The skin will still feel firm for several weeks. This is due to the adhesion of the tissue layers and scar formation. Sometimes the skin may also be more or less sensitive. This is a normal reaction to the surgery and will gradually disappear.

A few weeks after the surgery, your face will still look strange to you. As the swelling and bruising subside, you’ll begin to see your youthful features more clearly. However, you’ll need to wait a few more weeks to get a truly accurate picture, since the healing process is gradual. In addition, minor changes may still occur in the months following the MACS lift.

Most patients are satisfied with the final result.

Scars
Your scars will be located precisely along the hairline and a small section in front of the ear. At first, they will be red and swollen, but this will subside after a few weeks. It’s important to know that it can take one to one and a half years for your scars to fully settle. It is therefore important to keep them out of the sun during this period and to care for them properly with the scar cream we provided. Once the wound has closed and the scabs have fallen off, you may begin applying the cream. By applying it twice a day to the closed wound, you’ll increase the chances of a smooth healing process.