What is the ultrasound Short Incision facelift?
Dr. Steinbrech uses the ultrasound energy in concert with his existing facelift techniques. This means a short-incision that ends under the ear lobe and does NOT go behind the ear which allows women to wear their hair up for a hairstyle or in a ponytail and men to have a short hairstyle.
The marriage of TECHNIQUE AND TECHNOLOGY
Picture is patient example at 5 days post-op
Pre-op
Bruising after 5 days
- Higher cheekbone
- Cleaner Jawline
- Higher, Natural Brow
- Minimal Bruising in Neck
- Natural Appearance, Not Over-Pulled
Why use ultrasound with surgery?
Someday, perhaps a laser or ultrasound technology will replace the facelift. But we are NOT there yet. We still need surgery for the proper facial rejuvenation and the result that patients desire. However, the important thing is that Dr. Steinbrech uses the ultrasound to bridge that gap and minimize or lessen the extent of the facial surgery he needs to do.
The purpose of this now is that using the ultrasound with facelift can:
1. Limit the extent of the surgical area.
2. Keep the incision shorter.
3. This results in smaller scars, and fewer areas to swell and bruise.
What is ultrasound, how does it help with a facelift?
Just about everyone is familiar with ultrasound in pregnancy, where two beams of soundwaves look through the mother’s abdominal wall to see the baby’s development.
What if I’m from out of the New York Area?
Dr. Steinbrech and Gotham Plastic Surgery treat patients from around the country and around the world. Speak with Natalie, Bernadette, Edina, Donna, Lizzie or Kelly in our office or email Natalie Pula at Natalie@GothamPlasticSurgeryNY.com for more information about our fly-in program and our concierge program. In the same way for the face, these two beams look through the skin to focus their energy on the underlying supporting layer of the face. This layer is called the SMAS. The difference, in this case, is that these ultrasound beams actually deliver energy to the SMAS layer that tightens it up and lifts the overlying skin with it. So using by the Ulthera, in select regions, Dr. Steinbrech can help minimize the areas that need surgery.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Will the Ultrasound cause redness or “burn” my skin like a laser?
No, the ultrasound produces sound waves that pass through the skin whereas a laser delivers energy directly on the skin to cause redness for several weeks. This is in contrast to the ultrasound which focuses the energy past the skin to the SMAS layer so there is, at most, only mild pink on the skin lasting no more than a few hours.
When is the Ultrasound performed?
The ultrasound is used toward the end of the surgery before final closure of the tissues.
Will the Ultrasound cause any additional pain post-operatively?
No. There may be some slight discomfort in the areas of the ultrasound, but no additional pain is present. Many patients do well with Ibuprofen alone. Some may require something stronger for 24-48 hours.
Is this for all patients?
Is ultrasound a replacement for surgery? No. You still need a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. But what the ultrasound does is allow more patients to have a shorter incision.
How can I find out more information about the Ultrasound Short-Incision Facelift?
The best next step is to contact our office to speak with one of our patient advisors for more information and to see if you are a good candidate for this approach.