“He is the best!”
Melanie loves the results of her mini facelift (Band Aid Facelift) and upper blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery. She comments on her experience with Dr. John LeRoy and his staff.
Melanie loves the results of her mini facelift (Band Aid Facelift) and upper blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery. She comments on her experience with Dr. John LeRoy and his staff.
Why is it called a “Band Aid” facelift?
The Band Aid Facelift is a minimally invasive version of a traditional facelift. Many of my patients were interested in the advantages of facelift surgery, but the longer recovery time and risk of more visible incisions made patients wary. Upon the development of my “mini” facelift technique, I coined the name “Band Aid” because the nature of this technique doesn’t require surgical dressings like the traditional facelift.
What’s the difference between a Band Aid Facelift and a “mini” facelift?
My original Band Aid Facelift falls into the same category as a “mini” facelift, although it’s not identical. While most “mini” procedures produce smaller scars and subtle results, the techniques I use in my Band Aid Facelift produce noticeable, natural looking facial rejuvenation to your areas of concern while only requiring an office visit and gentle numbing.
How do I know if I need a traditional facelift or a Band Aid Facelift?
The need for a traditional or Band Aid Facelift is determined by the significance of your signs of aging. Patients with minimal signs of aging typically prefer the Band Aid version because it addresses only the area that are starting to show aging whereas patients with more advanced wrinkling typically obtain the results they’re after with a traditional facelift, but patients with significant signs of aging are also very satisfied with the traditional facelift.
Plastic surgery can provide results from very dramatic to very subtle depending on a patient’s desires, but I’ve noticed many patients do not really want (or need) dramatic plastic surgery results. Back in 1997, I developed the original Band Aid Facelift (a “mini” version of the traditional facelift) with these particular patients in mind. Since then, I’ve refined other traditional cosmetic procedures to offer Band Aid Blepharoplasty, Band Aid Brow Lift, Band Aid Tummy Tuck, and Band Aid Liposuction. I chose the name “Band Aid” because the nature of my technique doesn’t require surgical dressings like the traditional procedures. In fact, Band Aid procedures are performed in office under local anesthesia and have a significantly shorter recovery time than the traditional procedures. Although Band Aid procedures are appealing, there is an appropriate and inappropriate application for them.
First, let’s discuss the appropriate times for Band Aid procedures. My Band Aid procedures were designed as minimally invasive versions of traditional plastic surgery procedures for patients who desire plastic surgery, but are not in need of a full procedure. For instance, some patients are troubled by their early signs of aging, although these signs of aging are not prominent enough to need a traditional facelift. These patients are perfect candidates for the Band Aid Facelift. The “mini” procedure is minimally invasive, making only local anesthesia necessary.
Everyone ages differently, and a full facelift is not always necessary. Some people age first around their brow, while others initially show aging around their eyes or mouth. Patients who are just beginning to notice signs of aging on their brow (i.e.- fine lines, sagging skin/brows, wrinkles) may benefit from Band Aid Brow Lift. Similarly, patients who notice early signs of aging around their eyes (i.e.- fat pockets, drooping or hooded eyelids) can benefit from Band Aid Blepharoplasty, minimally invasive eyelid surgery.
Most plastic surgery patients are somewhat skeptical when they first contemplate a prospective procedure. Surgery of any kind can be nerve-racking, but patients’ nerves are calmed if they have ample information on the procedure. A Kansas plastic surgeon conducted a research study on facelift patients in an effort to gather more information on facelift results and expected recovery times.
The traditional facelift is often given a bad reputation. Take our blog on Betty White’s comments about plastic surgery for example. She stated that she could barely recognize old friends by their new faces; however, not all facelift results have a negative impact. In fact, Dr. Swanson’s research reported that 97% of facelift patients were happy with their results, and 90% of patients reported that they received positive feedback from others. Forty percent of patients researched said their results were even better than they expected.
Dr. Swanson’s study polled 122 facelift patients with an average actual age of 57 who had received the facial cosmetic surgery between 2002 and 2007. The study concluded that facelift surgery makes a patient look, on-average, 12 years younger. Eighty percent of patients reported a higher self-esteem, and 70% reported an improved quality of life. Aside from the positive effects of a facelift, Dr. Swanson also revealed information on expected facelift recovery times. Dependable information on expected recovery is very important for patient satisfaction because patients need to be able to properly plan for their recovery. His research suggested that patients took an average of 24 days off work, but pain subsided after 10 days. Since facelift surgery is often paired with other facial rejuvenation procedures like brow lift surgery, blepharoplasty, or neck lift surgery, Dr. LeRoy can give his patients a better recovery time estimate after a thorough consultation.
If you’re uncertain as to whether a facelift is for you, Dr. John LeRoy offers both facelift as well as Band Aid Facelift, which is a “mini” version of the traditional facelift. It’s minimally invasive and can provide you with a younger look without the fear of looking overdone. And the results of a Band Aid Facelift can last an average of 10 years. Dr. LeRoy’s list of minimally invasive Band Aid procedures include: Band Aid Brow Lift, Band Aid Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), Band Aid Tummy Tuck, and Band Aid Liposuction. Each of these “mini” cosmetic procedures provides great results with very little down time.
Patients who are well-informed pre-surgery tend to end up are more satisfied; thus, we provide patients with procedure information during consultation along with online resources. Follow Dr. LeRoy on Twitter and “like” him on Facebook for constant plastic surgery-related updates, and visit his website and read his blog for even more plastic surgery news.