Skip to main content
(404) 963-6665 Contact
Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2022 American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Facial Plastic Surgeon Board Certified ABFPRS Facial Plastic Surgey American Academy of Facial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery, INC. Atlanta Plastic Surgeon Top Patient Rated

Atlanta Facelift Surgeon

Are you looking for an experienced Atlanta Facelift Surgeon? In the field of facelift surgery and other facial cosmetic surgeries, results are what matter most. A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is intended to help reverse the signs of facial aging, which means lifting the skin and muscle layer of the face that have loosened and sagged over time and restoring it to a more youthful position. Numerous types of facelifts are available, but only a few Atlanta facelift surgeons are skilled in the most advanced facelift techniques. Choosing the right Atlanta facelift plastic surgeon for their experience and proven results can ensure you achieve a facelift outcome that is natural-looking and not “over-done”.

Dr. Benjamin Stong of Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery LLC offers the most advanced facial plastic surgery and facelift surgery procedures available today in Atlanta. Dr. Stong is a Fellowship trained dual board certified facial plastic surgeon with strong credentials in all types of facelift surgery, including the most sophisticated deep plane facelift techniques, also known as a composite rhytidectomy, which provide better results and easier patient recovery than traditional facelift procedures. Dr. Stong has also developed his own procedure, The KalosLift, that offers the most desired outcome. He combines his surgical training and knowledge with a talented artistic eye to reduce the affects of facial aging in the most effective and natural-looking ways possible. Dr. Stong has become the go-to Atlanta facelift surgeon for patients who want the most advanced techniques and optimal cosmetic outcomes.

Mini Facelift

If you consider today’s advanced facelift techniques along with a skilled plastic surgeon who understands how to use them, a facelift does not have to involve unsightly scars or a longer recovery time, and a shortened facelift incision does not have to involve compromised results. A mini facelift performed by Dr. Benjamin Stong, an elite dual board certified facial plastic surgeon, offers distinct advantages to patients who want to turn back the hands of time using facelift surgery.

As part of our facial cosmetic surgery treatments, Dr. Stong proudly offers the mini facelift to patients who want a significant improvement in facial aging with shorter and more discreet incisions. For many patients, this results in less bruising and an overall easier recovery period. While other surgeons may only be able to offer limited results with a “less invasive” mini facelift, Dr. Stong carries the skill and knowledge needed to perform the most advanced deep plane facelift techniques while still using mini facelift incisions. Dr. Stong is among a very few top surgeons in the country who can perform this procedure.

The skin naturally loses elasticity as we grow older. Facial aging can begin as early as the late 20’s and 30’s. Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, heredity and other lifestyle habits can accelerate this aging process. A mini facelift is an ideal procedure to improve the inevitable signs of aging in the cheeks and neck in both younger and older patients, as well as those wanting multiple cosmetic procedures. Dr. Stong’s mini facelift can address sagging skin in the face, deep folds around the mouth (“Nasolabial Folds” and “marionette lines”), a drooping upper cheek, and jowling at the jawline. You can trust that Dr. Stong is exceptionally skilled and talented when it comes to facelift surgery. He understands the most advanced facelift procedures and the variety of surgical techniques that work to create the most natural, youthful appearance, including the most sophisticated face lifting methods through mini facelift incisions.

Schedule Your Facelift Consultation

When it comes to facelift surgery in Atlanta, you can trust Dr. Stong to provide the highest level of expertise and the best possible outcome. All Atlanta facelift surgery patients begin with an initial consultation with Dr. Stong to discuss their desired goals and to explore their available options in facelift technique. We will take the time with each patient to understand their unique concerns as well as what their goals and expectations are for a facelift surgery.

Contact Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery LLC to schedule your consult with Dr. Stong today. When it comes to improving the features of your face, you deserve the very best available.

We proudly provide facelifts for patients in the following cities and surrounding areas:

Facelift FAQs:

What is a facelift or rhytidectomy?
The term facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, encompasses a multitude of procedures that improves one’s personal appearance by lifting the loose skin and soft tissue at the jawline and neck, adding definition to the cheeks and re-contouring the chin. Over time, the skin and muscle of the cheeks and neck lose elasticity and start to sag. This can be exacerbated by sun exposure, heredity, smoking and innate characteristics of your skin. Facelifting procedures can create a more youthful and rested appearance by removing, lifting, and tightening this loose and sagging tissue of the cheeks and neck. A facelift is the best and most long-term solution to address the effects of aging on the cheeks and neck.
Where are the incisions in a facelift placed?
The incisions for a facelift are made in front of and behind the ear, and they curve naturally and discreetly around the hair line. Dr. Stong uses a mini facelift incision, or S-Lift, during his deep plane facelift procedures. This allows for shortened and more discreet incisions as well as faster healing. The scars that do result will blend into the natural creases of the skin and hairline, making them nearly invisible. Dr. Stong’s facelift patients are free to wear their hair up without concern to visible scarring.
What are the differences in facelift techniques?
The various facelift techniques attempt to rejuvenate the neck and chin or jawline. Failures occur because of substandard techniques. There are procedures that only lift the skin, and procedures that lift the muscle as well. Skin lifting techniques do not last and can produce poor, “over-pulled” outcomes. Atlanta facelift surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Stong, uses the most advanced deep plane facelift techniques (directly lifting the muscle) to bring patients the most natural-looking and long-lasting results with the least amount of scarring and recovery.

There is a lot of variability in how the facial layer of muscle is addressed. Imbrication and plication procedures have minimal long term impact. All surgeons agree that a deep plane facelift is categorically better, and it is important to choose a plastic surgeon that believes in directly lifting the muscle. It takes skilled training to learn, understand and perform deep plane facelifts.

Mini facelifts are universally synonymous with the terms short scar facelift, s-lift, and minimal incision facelift. These terms purely describe the incision, not the actual work that lifts the face and neck. The work done underneath the skin incisions is what separates long term outcomes and results.

Atlanta facelift surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Stong, proudly performs the deep plane facelift through mini facelift incisions. While conventional facelift methods involve dissection above the SMAS, the deep plane technique works in the deeper layers of the face and can effectively lift the midface region with improved longevity and durability.

What is the SMAS?
The SMAS, or Subcutaneous Musculo-Aponeurotic System, is essentially the supporting framework of the face. As we age, the gravitational forces on the soft tissues result in drooping and sagging of the cheeks and neck. Consequently, the face loses its youthful vigor and the jaw line and neckline sag and the nasolabial folds and marionette lines deepen. The most natural-looking and longest lasting facelifts are performed with techniques that lift and reposition the entire SMAS layer.
What is a deep plane facelift or composite rhytidectomy?
The deep plane facelift, also known as a composite rhytidectomy, is known for its longevity, durability and ability to lift the midface. Dr. Stong considers this technique as a far superior method to traditional facelift methods. The deep plane facelift elevates and lifts the entire SMAS from the upper cheeks, nose and mouth and not just the lower jawline and neck. This significant difference from conventional methods is what produces more natural-looking results. The deeper lift allows the skin to remain intact with the underlying connective tissues and muscular structure, resulting in a more natural, youthful appearance.
What is the extended deep plane facelift?
The extended deep plane facelift builds upon the original deep plane facelift technique, allowing Dr. Stong to not only address the jawline and neck area but also improve the previous results on the midface or upper cheeks. Sagging cheeks can be restored back to their youthful position, while the neck and jawline are instantly rejuvenated. All patients choosing to undergo a facelift can benefit from the extended deep plane facelift. It also allows for the least amount of downtime and fewer additional tucks compared to traditional facelift techniques. Atlanta facelift surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Stong, is one of a handful of talented surgeons that performs the deep plane facelift and the first to offer the extended deep plane facelift in Georgia.
What does a “full” facelift mean?
A full face-lift is for patients who need additional procedures in combination with some variation of a facelift. Patients may want to improve other areas of the face, such as drooping brows and aging eyelids, in addition to the loose skin of the neck. Other procedures such as brow lifts and eyelid lifts can complete an overall balanced and youthful result by adding them to the facelift procedure. A “full facelift” in no way describes a more aggressive procedure that will make the patient look un-natural or distorted. Some people choose to add multiple procedures to their facelift to avoid additional healing times associated with subsequent procedures.
Are facelifts painful?
In general, facelifts are relatively painless. Patients often take very little or no pain medicine. In reality, patients can have some numbness that resolves over a 12 to 18 month time frame.
What is the recovery from a facelift like?
Recovery from a facelift is somewhat dependent on the type of facelift performed. However, there is an unavoidable healing period following any facelift technique. The deep plane facelift minimizes skin dissection, and therefore bruising is lessened. In general, patients who have a facelift return to normal activities and work after about 10 to 14 days. It is recommended that patients schedule their facelift at least one month prior to a special occasion or social event to ensure you are well down the road to recovery.

Immediately after surgery, there will be a facelift pressure dressing and commonly drains overnight. Postoperative swelling, bruising, and skin discoloration is common for the first two weeks. This should peak at three to four days after surgery and resolve over the following week or two. Patients will be carefully instructed on caring for their incisions and educated on the factors that can promote better healing after a facelift.

How do I avoid unnatural or weird results from a facelift?
The biggest determining factor in whether or not your results look natural or over-done is the surgeon you choose and the specific technique the surgeon implements. As previously mentioned, conventional facelift techniques involve pulling the skin to create changes in the neck, jowl, and cheek. This often requires a great amount of tension from behind, in front, and above the ear. Skin is elastic, and unfortunately, this can leave the patient with the appearance of being “pulled too tight”.

In contrast, Dr. Stong’s deep plane facelift technique (or composite rhytidectomy) bases all support for the facelift on a deeper inelastic layer (the SMAS) and allows the skin to remain attached to the underlying connective tissue and muscular layers during dissection. The skin can be closed almost tension free with very delicate sutures. As a result, the patient has a much more natural look that lasts longer.

When can I expect to see results following a facelift?
Immediately after the dressing is taken off, the patient sees a dramatic difference. Bruising and swelling peaks at day 4 or 5 and subsides gradually with time. Swelling takes longer than bruising to subside and settles underneath the chin before it ultimately disappears.

Although it is easy for patients to focus on the healing process, a good surgeon remains focused on achieving the best results, which often requires time, regardless of the technique that was used. Remember that a good facelift should make you look younger and rested, instead of different and “operated on.” The specific timeframe of when your facelift results will be fully achieved is dependent upon the type of facelift technique that was used and whether or not you added other cosmetic procedures to compliment your surgery.

How long is a facelift supposed to last?
A facelift does not stop the aging process. When performed the right way, a revision facelift procedure may be considered by the patient at 8 to 10 years. The patient should understand that their appearance at this point will still be far better than if they had done nothing at all, and they are starting from a better baseline with the revision facelift.

Some substandard techniques may have no real effect or fail as early as months to a couple of years. Patients whose facelift fails early may choose to have earlier revision surgery, but this subjects them to additional surgery that could have been avoided had the facelift been performed with better techniques.

Other factors can affect how long your results last, including weight fluctuations, your age when you underwent surgery, overall health and lifestyle choices. Factors like smoking and sun exposure are known for accelerating the facial aging process and will consequently shorten the longevity of any procedure. The aging process is also accelerated as we grow older. Therefore, younger patients who have facial plastic procedures will most likely experience longer benefits. Atlanta facelift surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Stong, will clearly explain what you can expect from your facelift based on your individual characteristics.

Which facelift techniques are best for men?
Two male facelift procedures that offer long term correction to the neck and jowls are the Mini Deep Plane Facelift and the Extended Sub-SMAS Facelift. Both of these facelift surgical procedures can be performed using the smallest S-Lift or Mini Facelift incisions. The deep plane technique lifts the upper cheek while the extended SMAS lift does not. In many cases, men are adverse to the idea of a facelift and only care to address their excess neck skin, which makes them good candidates for a direct neck lift procedure. This places a scar in the midline of the neck, but men are also not as opposed to the idea of less concealed scars. Atlanta facelift surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Stong, has significant experience in helping men achieve the best cosmetic outcomes.
When is a chin implant used in a facelift or neck lift?
The cervicomental angle is the defining junction of the chin and neck. One of the goals of facelift and neck lift procedures is to tighten and redefine this angle from a more obtuse/blunted appearance to a more acute angle. A weak chin may limit the ability of a facelift procedure to help rejuvenate the neck because the there is less chin structure to pull against. Adding a chin implant can help create a stronger, more attractive chin appearance, and can also help define a more youthful neck and jaw line.

Mini Facelift FAQs

What is a mini facelift?
A mini facelift is commonly understood as a facelift procedure that requires less downtime and less dramatic results. However, for an elite surgeon, a mini facelift purely describes the incisions used. While it is true that the mini facelift can be performed under local anesthesia (“awake” facelift), lessening the resulting recovery, the mini facelift is primarily named for the short incisions that are discreetly placed around the ear. Dr. Stong is able to perform a wide variety of advance muscle lifting techniques (such as the deep plane facelift) through these mini incisions. In doing so, sagging cheeks, deep folds of the nose and mouth and jowls can all be addressed in a mini facelift by Dr. Stong.
Where are incisions placed in a mini facelift?
The mini facelift (also known as an S-lift, or short scar facelift) involves incisions that are well hidden in the natural curves around the ear. It is especially important to protect the hairline with incisions around the temporal hair tuft or sideburns to avoid un-natural or weird looking results that raises the hairline. This also makes the facelift scar undetectable to others. In fact, patients can still wear their hair up or very short without any concerns.
What is an s-lift or mini facelift?
An S-lift is the same as a mini facelift due to the smaller size and shape of the incision. It purely describes the skin incisions placed around the ear and has nothing to do with the muscle lifting technique that produces such excellent, long term results.
Does a mini facelift produce long lasting results?
Since Dr. Stong is able to perform the most effective and advanced muscle lifting and repositioning techniques during a mini facelift, the longevity of a mini facelift is not compromised. In other words, how long a patient’s mini facelift lasts is primarily dependent on the technique that is used and applied to the muscle layer of the face. It is widely understood that the deep plane facelift technique lasts much longer than plication and imbrication procedures while yielding better, more natural results.
Am I a candidate for a mini facelift?
All patients that are in overall good health and have realistic expectations with aging in the cheeks and neck are strong candidates for a mini facelift. Traditionally, the mini facelift was designed to address the signs of aging in the cheeks and neck in younger patients who had less severe drooping of the neck and jowls. With the advent of more advanced facelift techniques easily performed through these smaller incisions, we are now able to achieve the best results in both younger and older patients regardless of the degree of aging. Patients choose a mini facelift due to its favorable recovery period, as it is much shorter than traditional facelift techniques. As a plastic surgeon who is skilled in all types of face-lifting surgery, Dr. Stong can assure you that a mini facelift incision is best for you.
What is the healing time frame for a mini facelift?
In general, the downtime after a mini facelift is less than a traditional facelift. The incisions are abbreviated and will consequently heal faster. Your personal healing time frame can vary based on the specific facelift technique that was used as well as your age and overall health. The deep plane facelift also minimizes bruising. In conclusion, the mini deep plane facelift offers the smallest facelift incisions available combined with the least amount of healing, best outcome and longest lasting results.
What is a plication mini facelift?
Plication is defined as a process of folding, which is exactly what happens to the SMAS layer during a plication facelift. The SMAS is a relatively thin layer of strong facial supporting tissue that covers and surrounds the muscles of facial expression and platysma muscle of the face and neck. Plication suturing involves efforts to tighten the SMAS layer by folding it superiorly and attaching it to itself. Plication does not allow for the release of the underlying ligament attachments to the SMAS, which limits SMAS movement and can create less satisfying results. Compared to a deep plane facelift, that uses dissection beneath this SMAS layer and lifts the entire muscle layer, the results of a plication mini facelift are less superior and do not last as long.
What is an imbrication mini facelift?
An imbrication facelift, or SMASectomy, removes a strip of SMAS before sewing together the cut edges. Using this SMAS tightening technique, the muscular layer is not elevated and can therefore not be lifted as effectively as deep plane facelift methods. Ultimately the imbrication facelift technique has the same limitations as the plication technique of shorter longevity and less dramatic results.
Why do most mini facelifts fail early?
For a plastic surgeon who considers the mini facelift as a means to provide a more rapid patient recovery, he or she may carry limited training and choose to limit their dissection of the SMAS. Due to these restricted techniques, the results will often fail much sooner and can look un-natural. The SMAS layer of your face is the supporting framework for your skin. Over time this layer weakens and the skin loses elasticity failing to keep your skin tight and firm. Mini facelifts that do not address the deeper layers of the face will fail sooner. Without a deep plane facelift technique, where the entire SMAS layer is repositioned and the SMAS remains attached to the skin, a mini facelift that only pulls the skin can put too much tension on the shorter incisions, creating an “over-pulled” appearance with wide scars. Additionally, a mini facelift that does not use the deep plane facelift technique cannot effectively address lifting the upper cheek or midface area. Dr. Stong adheres to the most advanced muscle lifting techniques during a mini facelift for a longer lasting result.
Can a deep plane facelift be performed through mini lift incisions?
Absolutely! Dr. Stong offers the deep plane facelift through mini lift incisions at Kalos Plastic Surgery; however, it is rare to find a surgeon who offers this and performs it successfully. Dr. Stong is known for using his delicate precision and trained skill to give patients natural-looking and outstanding facelift results with the profound benefit of a shortened and well-hidden scar.

Essentially, this means the facial muscle is lifted and repositioned without tension and pulling on the skin itself. In contrast to traditional mini facelift procedures, this approach allows Dr. Stong to address the patient’s midface and cheeks in a way that creates natural-looking, durable and long-lasting results, with the additional benefit of less bruising and concealed, shortened scars around the ears.

Why don’t most surgeons perform long lasting procedures like the deep plane facelift through mini incisions?
It takes trained skill, deep knowledge of the facial anatomy and artistic talent to effectively lift and reposition the deeper SMAS layer of the face through only mini incisions around the ear. Dr. Stong is one of a few surgeons in the country and the first in Atlanta to perform this type of procedure.
What is an extended mini deep plane facelift?
Dr. Stong is highly regarded for his success using unique and unsurpassed facelift approaches. The extended mini deep plane facelift extends the dissection of the midface or upper cheek in traditional deep plane facelifts allowing for better repositioning of the upper cheek. It also uses a short incision while lifting the facial tissue and muscles simultaneously. Consequently, it achieves the superior results of a deep plane facelift with the minimal scarring of a mini facelift or S-Lift. Dr. Stong can perform this procedure under local anesthesia if the patient prefers, providing favorable benefits in recovery over general anesthesia. In general, the extended deep plane facelift is also known for faster healing and less bruising due to reduced skin dissection.

The KalosLift Facelift Before and After Photos


Click here to see more Facelift Before and After Photos

Dr. Ben Stong offers the KalosLift Facelift, the most advanced surgical facelift available.

READ MORE

Disclaimer: These Are Actual Results For Patients Of Dr. Benjamin Stong. Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Results Can Vary Between Patients.