LIFT FAQ ▾

Limited Incision Facelift

Located In New York City

L.I.F.T. or Short Scar Facelift Technique is the gold standard modern facelift and a procedure that Dr. Imber pioneered and published the first 1,000 cases in peer reviewed journals. It is a less invasive facelift, and applicable to all but the most severely wrinkled patients. The incision does not distort, or elevate the sideburns as the old facelift incision. There is no scar behind the ears, so one can wear one’s hair up without being self conscious. This is the most natural of facelifts, with incisions that rapidly become invisible.

Dr. Imber is an internationally renowned plastic surgeon and has performed over 25,000 surgical procedures. He performs a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures in his New York City practice, popularized the S-Lift, and developed the Limited Incision Facelift Technique. He has dedicated his career to helping his patients look as good as they feel, and always strives for the most natural results.

Limited Incision
Facelift Technique

Dr. Gerald Imber has a long-standing interest in anti-aging surgery and has always sought the simplest, least invasive route to meet his patient’s goals. There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” facelift. Surgical techniques should address specific problems, and the same procedure does not apply to every problem and every person. The Limited Incision Facelift Technique developed by Dr. Imber offers patients a better and easier solution to maintaining a version of themselves. Dr. Imber’s approach offers a selection of techniques that can be applied earlier, produce a natural result, and make the early middle-aged patient look appealingly young again.

Limited Incision FaceLift Goals

This surgical procedure focuses on improving loose jowls, and nasolabial folds, and reconstituting the angularity of the cheekbone area. It does not correct the very lowest portion of the neck or the forehead.

L.I.F.T. Candidates

Loss of elasticity and signs of aging begin early and even if a road map of facial wrinkles has not yet appeared, relief is often welcome. Our goal is to stop the progress before the changes have pushed from youthful to matronly. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Imber to discuss your treatment options.

What to Expect During Your L.I.F.T.

Leading up to surgery, Dr. Imber and his team of registered nurses will be in touch to review all details related to your procedure. Generally, Dr. Imber’s Limited Incision Facelift can take as few as two hours to perform, usually under sedation and local anesthesia. Other variations of the facelift may be employed by Dr. Imber, but all expectations will be discussed prior to your surgery.

Recovering From Your L.I.F.T.

Everyone recovers differently. Most can return to some sort of normal routine about 10 days after surgery, but it varies for everyone. Dr. Imber’s team of nurses and patient coordinators will review all recovery guidelines with you before and after your surgical procedure. Additionally, a member of Dr. Imber’s team is always available to answer any questions and make your recovery as easy as possible.

Scroll down

BREAKING DOWN THE FACELIFT

Having performed thousands of facelifts, I have seen fads and miracles come and go. Some are a laughable waste of time, some outright dangerous. Plastic surgeons, myself included, have worked hard over the years to improve the procedure and serve our patients better. The scientific paper published on my first 1,000 Limited Incision Facelift Technique (L.I.F.T.) procedures largely changed the way facelifts were performed, produced more natural results with hidden scars, and generally became the gold standard procedure. But there are many variations of the procedure. Every individual has individual issues, there is no way one operation fits all, and the surgeon must be capable and comfortable with them all. Unfortunately, many surgeons have blanketed the landscape with confusing information on social media. All well-trained BOARD-CERTIFIED plastic surgeons have the same tools. Experience, skill, common sense, and taste make the difference. Let’s try to make things a little more transparent. Patients are confused between the Limited Incision Facelift or Short Scar Facelift, The Full Face and Neck Lift, and the Deep Plane Facelift. Each address increasingly more significant aging and wider areas of the face and neck.

Limited Incision Facelift Technique (L.I.F.T.)

The Limited Incision Facelift Technique (LIFT) or Short Scar Facelift, uses an incision from the sideburn to the earlobe and effectively deals with the nasolabial folds, cheeks, jowls, loose skin under the chin, and upper neck laxity. If there is more significant laxity of the skin of the neck, the incision is extended behind the ear and up into the hairline. This additional incision makes it possible to re-drape the skin of the neck and becomes virtually invisible even with the hair worn up.

The full, true, Deep Plane Facelift

The full, true, Deep Plane Facelift is reserved for individuals with excessive laxity of the skin and muscles of the face, and I do not believe it appropriate to combat the normally aging face.

Male FaceLift

There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” facelift. Surgical techniques should address specific problems, and the same procedure is not applicable to every problem and every person. A forty-nine-year-old woman does not have the same aging issues as a sixty-seven-year-old, so why should she be offered the same operation? Men want to tidy up their necks and have their skin fit. Women are concerned with wrinkles, folds, and blemishes. Why would I offer them the same single option? It doesn’t make sense. Different people in different stages of life have different requirements, this is where the Limited Incision Facelift can be an option.

Deep Plane Facelift

The Deep Plane Facelift elevates the skin and the muscles of the face in the lift. Unfortunately, the muscles of facial expression receive their nerve supply on their underside, so the procedure risks damaging nerves and paralyzing areas of the face, which is a complication no one wants. To avoid this risk, I have modified the deep plane to include only the platysma muscle which is used to tighten the jawline and neck. This includes tightening the SMAS, which is the upper end of the muscle and helps redefine the cheekbones. Almost no one needs more extensive surgery than this.

The Modern Mini-Facelift

This modern mini-lift has been adopted, renamed, and publicized by many surgeons. On June 4, 2009, the New York Times published a long article about the marketing of specialized facelifts, making reference to the seminal importance of my original S-Lift and the procedures it had spawned. But be warned: A new name doesn’t make a new procedure. After the journal, Aesthetic Surgery, published the scientific paper on the first 1,000 Limited Incision Facelifts I had performed, I smiled at advertisements for surgeons claiming credit for the new operation. I am happy to have had something to do with devising and popularizing an excellent procedure, but the real beneficiaries are my patients, who understood that the new procedure would help them achieve and maintain a natural, youthful appearance.

Words From Dr Imber!

There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” facelift. Surgical techniques should address specific problems, and the same procedure is not applicable to every problem and every person. Different people in different stages of life have different requirements, this is where the Limited Incision Facelift can be an option.”

– Gerald Imber, M.D.

How Does A Limited Incision FaceLift Work?

Dr. Imber will review the entire facelift procedure with you leading up to your surgical appointment. In short, Dr. Imber’s Limited Incision Facelift, or Short Scar Facelift Technique, begins in the bottom of the sideburn and follows into the ear, behind the tragus, the little piece of cartilage that sticks out from the ear, and ends just behind the earlobe. Incisions are hidden, and signs of surgery disappear quickly. There is no scar on the hair or behind the ears or on the neck, and women can wear their hair up without worrying about the noticeable signs of traditional facelifts. Because the top of the incision is in the sideburn, there is no unsightly, telltale distortion of the hairline.

The procedure reverses the loss of elasticity that has caused facial sagging and results in a firm, straight jawline.

What Type Of Anesthesia Will I Receive?

Dr. Imber’s board-certified anesthesiologist has worked at his practice for over 20 years. His anesthesiologist will call you the night before surgery to review all guidelines necessary on the morning of your surgery. Dr. Imber’s nurses will also advise on any medical clearance in advance, if necessary. Most patients receive local anesthesia with sedation.

Are There Any Non-Invasive Alternatives?

If you are a candidate for a facelift, there aren’t any non-invasive options that can yield the results you are looking to achieve like that of a facelift.

Do I Need Any Special Garment Or Bindings?

Dr. Imber’s team of nurses will provide you with everything you need in advance of the surgery and are always available to answer any questions you may have.

Why Do I Need A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

A board-certified plastic surgeon holds the highest levels of education and training needed to deliver the best results. This qualification is not easy to achieve, so by using a board-certified plastic surgeon, you know they meet the standards of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Will There Be Any Scarring?

Dr. Imber pioneered a variety of facelift techniques that makes scarring virtually invisible. The important thing is a natural-looking result and no visible sign of surgery. While results vary for every patient, Dr. Imber will review expectations during your consultation and pre-operative appointment.

How Much Does A FaceLift Cost?

Actual surgical pricing will be determined at the time of consultation. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Imber today by emailing or calling our office at (212) 472-1800.

Dr. Imber’s thoughts on Before & After images
Watch video of Dr. Imber’s thoughts on Before & After images.

We Offer Concierge Services

We want to make sure you are comfortable every step of the way, from managing your stay in New York City if you are out-of-town to post-surgical care and more.

Our concierge services include but are not limited to:

  • Accommodation Coordination with the finest New York City Hotels
  • Medical Photography
  • Medical Clearance
  • Private Duty Nurses and Escorts Post-Surgery
  • Transportation Post-Surgery
  • Pre- and Post-Operative Care

Related Blogs

At what point is it time for a Mini Facelift?

At what point is it time for a Mini Facelift?

This question has come up quite a bit. In reality, the first time you begin to see things go south, and I really mean your skin go south is an indicator. This is noticeable when the skin on cheekbones gets soft causing the angularity of the face to fall down. The...

Conveniently located to serve New York City.

Dr Gerald Imber

Dr. Gerald Imber, M.D.

Dr. Gerald Imber is a board-certified, world-renowned plastic surgeon and strives to provide his patients the most natural results with the least invasive surgical techniques. He is recognized by US News and World Report and Castle Connolly as among the top 1% of plastic surgeons in the United States, on the staff of the Weill Cornell Medical Center, and directs his private surgical practice in New York City.

Dr. Imber has among the largest experience in facial rejuvenation and the prevention of facial aging. He has pioneered many less invasive surgical procedures that are now considered the gold standard among plastic surgeons, such as microsuction, a modified form of liposuction, to remove early jowls and tighten jawline, the extensive use of rejuvenating fat transfers, and the Limited Incision Facelift Technique, or Short Scar Facelift, a modern, less invasive facelift technique.

Dr. Imber performs a full range of cosmetic procedures, surgical and non-invasive, at his Manhattan office, including body, breast and nasal surgery, as well as facial reconstruction following Mohs micrographic surgery.