Mini Facelift

Mini Facelift Surgery in Toronto

For Dr. Tong’s Toronto patients who seek to enhance the appearance of drooping cheeks, pronounced nasolabial folds (smile lines), or a lax jawline without undergoing the extensive procedure known as a traditional Facelift, a Mini Facelift could be the ideal solution. This procedure is particularly effective for younger individuals whose neck does not show significant signs of aging. As a ‘Mini’ surgery, both the duration of the operation and the recovery period are notably shorter than those associated with a traditional Facelift.

How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon For You

Benefits of a Mini Facelift

Are you confused about whether a Facelift or Mini Facelift is the best choice for you? Unfortunately, there is a good deal of misunderstanding over the terminology of procedures when it comes to cosmetic plastic surgery.

A Mini Facelift improves the face from the jawline to the upper cheeks. Specifically, the jawline contour, jowls,  marionette lines, nasolabial folds (smile lines) and sagging cheeks are most often targeted.  The procedure is called a Mini Facelift because it involves less surgery than a traditional Facelift. Likewise, it does not achieve the same degree of improvement. The main difference from a regular Facelift is that it does not directly improve the neck, however the improvement above the jaw line is largely the same as a traditional Facelift— . There may be some indirect neck improvement as the facial skin is lifted, but it does not occur in a consistent manner. This procedure is typically better suited for a younger patient (40’s or 50’s), or a patient who is not as concerned about improving their neck’s appearance.¹

Here is how we like to describe the Mini Facelift: if you look in the mirror and prop up your cheeks and jowls with your fingers, you are mimicking what a Mini Facelift accomplishes.

Specifically, the Mini Facelift:

• Elevates the jowls (for a clean, sleek jawline)
• Elevates descended cheek fat (for a healthy, youthful fullness)
• Smoothes the folds in the corners of the mouth (marionette lines) and smile lines (nasolabial folds) 

In contrast to a regular Facelift, a Mini Facelift does not directly address the neck.

Incisions for a Mini Facelift

Any surgical procedure will leave some type of scar. Dr. Tong specializes in obtaining the least visible scars and putting them in the least visible places.

In a traditional Facelift, the incision is made roughly from the temples and around the ears to the lower scalp. 

With a Mini Facelift, or limited incision Facelift, the incision: 

• Starts at the earlobe and travels upward along the natural curves of the cheek/ear junction.
• The incision continues into the hair and onto the temple for approximately 3-5 cm
• Occasionally an alternate incision that travels along the bottom of the sideburn, following the hairline is used instead.

These scars hide well because they blend into the natural curves and lines of the ear and face. Once the incisions have matured, the vast majority of women are able to wear their hair up, and not be concerned with visible Facelift scars.

Mini Facelift Procedure

Dr. Tong can perform your Mini Facelift under general or IV sedation (twilight) anesthesia. During the time you are under general anesthesia, you will be asleep and completely unaware of your surroundings. If you undergo twilight anesthesia, you may be aware from time to time, but should feel no pain. Dr. Tong performs your surgery in the CPSO accredited private surgery centre at 7 St. Thomas Street within his plastic surgery office located in Yorkville, downtown Toronto.

Mini Facelift is carried out by first making the incisions and exposing the underlying muscle layer. Dissection of the skin allows it to be re-draped. Dr. Tong tightens the underlying muscle, elevating the fallen cheek and jowl tissues. Next, he re-drapes, elevates, and tightens the skin to achieve a natural, non-operated look. Dr. Tong performs the same procedure for the other side and the incisions are stitched back together meticulously. After the last stitches are placed, a Mini Facelift dressing is applied and you are gently awakened from anesthesia.

Recovery after Mini Facelift

A Mini Facelift is an outpatient procedure. 

Following your Mini Facelift, you should focus on resting and only engage in activities that are not strenuous, such as cooking and watching television. Dr. Tong recommends resting and sleeping with your head elevated to aid the healing process and ease any facial swelling. To keep your head elevated while asleep, sleep in a reclining chair or use multiple pillows while in bed (such as in the ‘reading in bed’ position). Most patients report only mild pain after their Mini Facelift, and Dr. Tong will prescribe pain medication to ease any discomfort. Bruising will subside within the first 1-2 weeks, and most patients are able to return to their work within 7-10 days.

You may choose to have an appointment with Dr. Tong at 1 day after surgery so that your dressing can be removed, but most patients are comfortable removing it themselves the next morning. At one week, you will have another appointment to have stitches removed. Dr. Tong will likely allow you to start light exercise (e.g. walking) at 1-2 weeks after surgery.  You will be advised to refrain from strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks following your Mini Facelift.

After the initial post-op visit, you will follow up with Dr. Tong at 6 weeks, 6 months, and one year after surgery.  Post-operative photographs will also be taken at these visits.

As with any surgery, there are risks involved with a Mini Facelift. Although the procedure has a low risk profile, Dr. Tong will make sure to go over the risk of potential problems associated with a Mini Facelift at the time of your consultation. 

Your Mini Facelift Consultation in Toronto

There is a significant amount of information to take in during your Mini Facelift consultation. Dr. Tong will make sure that you understand all the essential details. Our first goal is to have you become an educated plastic surgery patient. We feel that an informed patient will make better choices about their surgery, and their surgeon as well. You will never be rushed, and you will never be pressured to make a decision.

To learn more about how Toronto Mini Facelift Surgeon Dr. Lawrence Tong can help you look younger, set up a Mini Facelift consultation with Dr. Tong by giving us a call at (647) 724-5406. Alternatively, let us give you a call; just fill out our contact form and we will call you on the same or the next business day. No physician’s referral is needed.

See Dr. Tong’s work in our Mini Facelift Before and After Photos.

¹ Imber G, Silich RC. Limited-incision face lift technique. Aesthet Surg J. 2001;21(3):216-226. doi:10.1067/maj.2001.116244. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19331896/. Accessed October 15, 2020.
² American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Who is a good candidate for a facelift? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/candidates. Accessed October 15, 2020.
³ American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the steps of a facelift procedure? Available: plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/procedure. Accessed October 15, 2020.