Top Five Hospitals for Small Incision Surgical Lift in New

Introduction

Small - incision surgical lifts, such as mini facelifts, have gained immense popularity in New York City. These procedures offer a less invasive alternative to traditional facelifts, with shorter recovery times and minimal scarring. In this article, we will explore the top five hospitals or clinics in New York City renowned for their expertise in small - incision surgical lifts. We'll also discuss the procedures, their benefits, candidates, and what to expect during and after the surgery.

Top Five Hospitals for Small - Incision Surgical Lift in New York City A Comprehensive Guide

What is a Small - Incision Surgical Lift (Mini Facelift)?

A small - incision surgical lift, often referred to as a mini facelift, is a cosmetic procedure designed to address signs of aging in the lower face, such as sagging skin, jowls, and loss of jawline definition. Unlike traditional facelifts, mini facelifts use smaller incisions, which are usually hidden in the natural curves of the ear or hairline. This results in less scarring and a shorter recovery period.

The procedure typically involves tightening the underlying facial muscles and removing or redistributing excess fat and skin through these small incisions. Mini facelifts can provide a more youthful and refreshed appearance, and they are particularly suitable for patients with mild to moderate signs of aging who do not require a more extensive facelift.

Top Five Hospitals for Small - Incision Surgical Lift in New York City

1. Dr. Barry M. Weintraub's Practice

Dr. Barry M. Weintraub is a board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City. He is highly experienced in performing short - scar facelifts, also known as mini facelifts. Dr. Weintraub has over two decades of experience in cosmetic plastic surgery in NYC.

Procedure: His short - scar facelift begins with incisions hidden just above and inside the ear, behind the tragus. Through these incisions, he manipulates different planes of facial tissue, including the deep plane and the SMAS (submuscular aponeurotic system) layer. He then lifts and repositions the tissues to create a sharper jawline and a more natural appearance. The incisions can extend to a crease behind the ear, and he closes the wounds in layers with tiny, precise micro - sutures.
Benefits: The short - scar facelift results in less noticeable scars, especially when the hair is worn up. It also has a shorter operation and recovery time compared to traditional facelifts. Dr. Weintraub was selected as one of America’s best plastic surgeons 2023 by Newsweek for the category of facelift, demonstrating his expertise and dedication to providing exceptional care.
Candidates: Ideal candidates are men and women in overall good health who are beginning to exhibit mild to moderate signs of aging in the mid - face region. They should have realistic expectations of the surgical outcomes and be interested in improving issues such as jowling, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines.

2. Dr. Steven Wallach's Practice

Dr. Steven Wallach is a leading authority on plastic surgery in New York City. He offers mini facelifts, which are also known as limited incision rhytidectomies or short scar facelifts.

Procedure: After the patient is under local anesthesia with sedation, Dr. Wallach creates a retro - tragal incision that travels from just under the earlobe and upwards along the inner edge of the tragus, ending along the hairline of the sideburn. This short incision allows him to separate the overlying skin from the tissues beneath and access the SMAS layer. He then uses various techniques, such as making strategic incisions and reattaching deep layers of tissue or using a network of looped sutures (as in a MACS lift), to tighten and lift the SMAS. Once the desired effect is achieved, he carefully redrapes the skin and removes any excess, then closes the incisions.
Benefits: Mini facelifts at Dr. Wallach's practice use shorter incisions, resulting in less scarring. They are less invasive than traditional facelifts, can be performed under local anesthesia, and have a shorter recovery time. Many patients can return to work within a week, although there may still be some mild residual bruising and swelling.
Candidates: Good candidates have minimal signs of aging in the neck, good skin elasticity, are in good health and non - smokers (or willing to quit), and want to correct jowls, sagging cheeks, and improve nasolabial lines and jawline definition. They may not be eligible for more extended facial procedures and are interested in a short recovery.

3. Dr. Neil Westreich's Practice

Dr. Neil Westreich is a double - board - certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City. He performs mini facelifts, which are a milder version of facelift surgery with shorter incisions and less tissue manipulation.

Procedure: Dr. Westreich targets sagging around the cheeks, jawline, and upper neck. The mini - facelift is typically done under local anesthesia. He makes small incisions, usually in discreet locations such as in the natural contour of the ear or in the hairline. Through these incisions, he lifts and tightens the underlying tissues to give the patient a younger, tighter, and refreshed look mostly along the jawline and in the skin underneath the chin.
Benefits: Mini facelifts at Dr. Westreich's practice are often referred to as “weekend facelifts” because they require less downtime than traditional facelifts. Patients usually only need to take about 3 - 5 days off work, and swelling should largely subside within 4 - 7 days, with full recovery occurring between 2 - 3 weeks. The incisions are smaller, resulting in less potential for unsightly scarring.
Candidates: The ideal candidates are between 30 - 50 years old, have mild to moderate signs of aging, and are looking for a less intense procedure to soften facial wrinkling and lift sagging skin. They may be wary of the implications of a more extensive surgery or do not have as much time to devote to the recovery period.

4. Dr. Andrew Jacono's Practice

Dr. Andrew Jacono is a dual - board - certified facial plastic surgeon at the New York Center for Facial Plastic Surgery. He has pioneered mini face lift surgery that minimizes downtime.

Procedure: The mini facelift is performed under local or general anesthesia. Dr. Jacono makes small incisions typically in front of the ears and sometimes extending into the hairline. Through these incisions, he tightens the underlying facial muscles and removes or redistributes excess fat and skin. He also uses his hybrid mini facelift called the M.A.D.E. (minimal access deep plane extended) facelift, which combines a short incision with a deep plane facelift to effectively restore the midface and nasolabial folds.
Benefits: His mini facelift results in less scarring, and the recovery time is relatively short. The procedure can address multiple signs of aging, such as jowls, marionette lines, dropped cheeks, and loose neck/vertical bands. Dr. Jacono's results look natural and beautiful, and the effects of the mini facelift typically last 10 to 15 years, depending on individual factors.
Candidates: Patients who are experiencing “filler fatigue” and “laser fatigue” and are in their forties or older may be good candidates. Those with signs of gravitational descent in the face and neck, such as jowling and loss of jawline definition, can benefit from this procedure.

5. Dr. Darrick Antell's Practice

Dr. Darrick Antell is a board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City who commonly performs mini facelifts.

Procedure: The short - scar facelift at Dr. Antell's practice involves repositioning all portions of the face that show signs of aging. The incision is approximately one - half the length of a traditional facelift incision and eliminates most of the incisions behind the ears. The surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below, trims or suctions fat around the neck and chin, tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Stitches or metal clips are used to secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions.
Benefits: Some people believe that the recovery and bruising after this type of operation are minor compared to a traditional facelift. Mini facelifts can improve the most visible signs of aging, and they can be combined with liposuction in the neck area for a more comprehensive improvement.
Candidates: The mini facelift is particularly valuable for younger patients in their 40s and 50s, or as a secondary facelift. Ideal candidates show aging in the mid - face and do not have a severe amount of excess skin around their jawline and neck.

Comparing the Five Practices

Surgeon	Procedure Details	Benefits	Ideal Candidates	Recovery Time
Dr. Barry M. Weintraub	Incisions hidden above and inside ear, manipulate different planes, close wounds in layers with micro - sutures	Less noticeable scars, shorter operation and recovery, recognized as top surgeon	Mid - 40s to 50s, mild - moderate mid - face aging	Swelling and bruising subside gradually, return to normal in a few weeks
Dr. Steven Wallach	Retro - tragal incision, access and tighten SMAS layer	Short incisions, local anesthesia, short recovery	Good skin elasticity, mild neck aging, short recovery preference	Most return to work in a week with some residual effects
Dr. Neil Westreich	Small incisions in discreet locations, lift and tighten underlying tissues	“Weekend facelift,” less downtime, less scarring	30 - 50 years old, mild - moderate aging	3 - 5 days off work, full recovery in 2 - 3 weeks
Dr. Andrew Jacono	Incisions in front of ears, may use M.A.D.E. facelift	Short recovery, natural results, long - lasting effects	“Filler fatigue,” gravitational descent signs	Return to daily activities in 1 - 2 weeks
Dr. Darrick Antell	Short incisions, reposition facial areas, fat trimming/suctioning	Potentially less bruising, can combine with liposuction	40s - 50s, mid - face aging, less excess neck skin	Take it easy for a week, back to work in 10 days - 2 weeks

Preparing for a Small - Incision Surgical Lift

Regardless of which hospital or surgeon you choose, proper preparation is crucial for a successful small - incision surgical lift. Here are some general steps:

Consultation: Schedule a consultation with the surgeon. During this meeting, discuss your goals, medical history, and any concerns you may have. The surgeon will evaluate your facial structure and skin condition and recommend the most suitable procedure.
Medical Evaluation: Undergo a complete physical exam to ensure you are in good health for the surgery. Inform your surgeon of any pre - existing medical conditions, medications you are taking, or allergies.
Lifestyle Changes: If you smoke, stop at least a week or two before and after surgery, as smoking can interfere with the healing process. Follow your surgeon's instructions regarding diet, hydration, and any supplements or medications to avoid.
Arrange for Help: Arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery and help you out for a day or two if needed.

Recovery and Aftercare

The recovery period for a small - incision surgical lift varies depending on the individual and the specific procedure. However, there are some common aspects of recovery and aftercare:

Swelling and Bruising: Expect some swelling and bruising, which is normal. This will gradually subside over the first few weeks. Follow your surgeon's instructions on how to manage swelling, such as keeping your head elevated and using cold compresses.
Pain Management: You may experience some discomfort after the surgery, but this can usually be managed with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. If you experience severe or persistent pain, contact your surgeon immediately.
Stitches and Dressings: Stitches will typically be removed about a week after surgery. Your surgeon will also provide instructions on how to care for any dressings or drains that may be in place.
Activity Restrictions: Avoid strenuous activity, including heavy exercise and bending or lifting, for a few weeks. Gradually resume your normal activities as advised by your surgeon.
Follow - up Appointments: Attend all follow - up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress and ensure proper healing.

Cost of a Small - Incision Surgical Lift

The cost of a small - incision surgical lift can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the surgeon's experience, the extent of the procedure, the location of the facility, and any additional services or treatments included. In New York City, the cost of a mini facelift can range from a few thousand dollars to over twenty thousand dollars.

It is important to have a consultation with the surgeon to get an accurate estimate of the cost. Some surgeons may offer financing options to help make the procedure more affordable.

Conclusion

New York City is home to some of the top hospitals and surgeons for small - incision surgical lifts. Each of the five practices mentioned - Dr. Barry M. Weintraub's, Dr. Steven Wallach's, Dr. Neil Westreich's, Dr. Andrew Jacono's, and Dr. Darrick Antell's - offers unique expertise and benefits. When considering a small - incision surgical lift, it is essential to do thorough research, have a detailed consultation with the surgeon, and carefully weigh the pros and cons based on your individual needs and goals.

If you are interested in a small - incision surgical lift, take the first step and schedule a consultation with one of these experienced surgeons. They can provide you with personalized advice and help you achieve the youthful and refreshed appearance you desire.