The advantage of the SMAS lift is that as the SMAS is lifted vertically, there is excess that can be manipulated in several ways.  In the full face, this excess is removed so as not to add volume to an already round face.  In the thin or hollowed face, this tissue can be folded on itself to increase volume.  In my Santa Barbara plastic surgery practice, I feel the key to facial plastic surgery, particularly face lifts and rhinoplasty, is to individualize the operation to the patient.  The SMAS lift allow me to do just that.

Yesterday I did another rhinoplasty- this patient is from Scandinavia and came to see me in Santa Barbara for her plastic surgery. At her preoperative consultation, I asked her who she was planning on having help her following surgery, and how she was going to get back to her hotel. She had planned to take a taxi to and from the surgery, and was going to stay alone overnight until she could come back and see me the following day.
Well, this was not going to fly with me. (more…)