Facelift

Dr. Adam Schaffner offers a full suite of facelift procedures from his 5th Avenue Manhattan practice, including traditional full facelift, mini-facelift for targeted lower face and upper neck correction, mid-facelift and cheek lift for vertical elevation of the cheek and jowl pads, and non-surgical thread lift for patients seeking improvement without downtime. Techniques involve incisions placed within natural skin creases above and within the ears, with repositioning of facial soft tissue, platysmaplasty where indicated, and optional fat transfer or submental liposuction. Adjunct procedures including upper and lower blepharoplasty and chin augmentation can be combined in the same operative setting.

Facelift surgery at Adam Schaffner MD Plastic Surgery NYC draws on Dr. Schaffner's dual fellowship training in both aesthetic breast and general plastic surgery and advanced facial plastic and reconstructive surgery — an unusual combination that gives him expertise across the full facial anatomy. The practice offers multiple facelift approaches, with technique selection guided by the extent of facial ageing, the patient's anatomical characteristics, recovery tolerance, and aesthetic goals. The full traditional facelift addresses gravitational descent and soft tissue laxity across the lower face, jowl, and neck through an incision that follows the natural hairline contour above the ear, transitions within the anterior helical crease, continues around the earlobe, and extends into the postauricular hairline. Through this access, the underlying SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) — the fibromuscular layer deep to the subcutaneous fat — is elevated, repositioned, and secured, restoring the youthful facial vector that runs from the chin and jowl upward toward the cheekbone. Excess skin is redraped and conservatively trimmed, with no tension placed on the skin closure. The mini-facelift uses a shorter incision confined to the area around the ear, providing effective correction for patients with early to moderate lower face and upper neck laxity who do not yet require the full extent of traditional facelift surgery. The mid-facelift specifically addresses descent of the cheek fat pad and malar soft tissue, restoring the youthful convexity of the midface through a vector of lift that elevates tissue vertically rather than horizontally. For patients preferring a non-surgical option, thread lifting using barbed sutures placed through small puncture sites provides mechanical tissue repositioning with minimal downtime and no visible scarring, with results lasting 12–18 months. Adjunct procedures commonly combined with facelift surgery include upper and lower blepharoplasty for periorbital rejuvenation, endoscopic brow lift for forehead and brow elevation, neck liposuction for submental fullness, and chin implant placement to define the jawline. Fat transfer to the face can be performed simultaneously to restore volume to the temples, cheeks, and perioral areas. All facelift consultations at this Midtown Manhattan practice include a comprehensive facial analysis and digital photo documentation, with Crisalix 3D simulation available for planning purposes.