Many patients come to see me wanting a specific named lift. Often they’ve seen or heard about it on TV, magazines or the internet. They are often excited and hoping to hear that there is a “new” lift which they can have in an hour, immediately return to normal activity, have no recovery time, little risk and look 20 years younger! I wish it were so. So what are these lifts? As the trend to less invasive procedures has increased surgeons have developed a variety of procedures using shorter incisions (the “S”). In selected patients these offer the option of improved appearance with quicker recovery and less downtime. Despite all the different claims of uniqueness, most of these are all variations of similar techniques and procedures. The different names are often created for marketing purposes only. So what should a patient know when trying to make sense of all these lifts? I usually try to teach my patients to try not to fall into the trap of making themselves fit a branded procedure, but rather find out what different techniques the doctor is able to use to fit their personal desire for improvement. When you’re looking to have facial rejuvenation work done remember that it’s going to be right out there for everyone to see so get what’s going to meet your needs, not the popular media technique of the month! Ask lots of questions of the doctor doing the procedure, not the screening consultant. Use your judgment, can you really wipe away 20 years without some downtime? Does one technique fit everyone? For more information write back or call 561-228-5888.