Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich developed the endoscopic-assisted facelift to give his Manhattan/NYC patients the benefits of the most recent advances in endoscopic surgical technology. The innovative procedure is designed to enhance the results of both traditional and minimally invasive facelifts. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and one of the best-known facelift surgeons in New York City, Dr. Konstantin creates stunning facelift results with the assistance of this state-of-the-art technology.
What Is an Endoscopic-Assisted Facelift?
This new method takes advantage of the relatively new surgical wireless endoscopic camera. This camera transmits real-time images to a screen the surgeon can see during surgery. This overcomes the limitations of conventional facelift techniques by providing a superior visualization of the most remote areas of the surgical site. It enables surgeons to greatly improve the aesthetic results of a traditional facelift and shorten recovery time.
What Are the Advantages of an Endoscopic-Assisted Facelift?
Shorter Incisions
The main advantage of endoscopic-assisted facelift surgery is that it allows the surgeon to make shorter incisions without compromising the extent of the dissection. That means surgeons can achieve superior results in a minimally invasive fashion.
Better Results
Traditional facelift techniques rely on direct visualization to modify or reposition the deep facial tissue, requiring surgeons to make longer incisions to get a better view of the area located farthest from the incision. By providing more of a panorama of the musculature and connective tissue, the endoscope eliminates the need for longer cuts, leading to a better cosmetic outcome in both the improvement of facial contour and the appearance of scars.
Improved Recovery
Using endoscopic visualization also allows the surgeon to perform SMAS (sub-muscular aponeurotic system) elevation and repositioning in the most controlled and precise manner. In addition, the ability to see a magnified view of the remote parts of the surgical site helps achieve complete homeostasis, thus minimizing the bruising and swelling after the procedure.
How Much Does an Endoscopic Facelift Cost in NYC?
The cost of a facelift in NYC with Dr. Konstantin can range from $17,000 to $35,000, depending on the extent of rejuvenation and the type of anesthesia used for the procedure. There is no additional cost or extra charges for an endoscopic-assisted facelift.
Who Can Benefit From an Endoscopic Facelift?
Any patient seeking facial rejuvenation can benefit from this procedure. Women and men of a younger age group would appreciate the shorter recovery time and reduced bruising and swelling. Patients with more advanced facial aging can benefit from a minimally invasive facelift procedure that produces the rejuvenating effect of a traditional full facelift.
What Areas Can an Endoscopic-Assisted Facelift Improve?
Dr. Konstantin can target the same areas that are addressed using other facelift techniques. Because patients have unique concerns, Dr. Konstantin creates a customized surgical plan based on his examination of a patient’s facial features, skin texture and elasticity, the amount and distribution of excess fat, and the degree of facial aging. Concerns often addressed include:
- Visible muscle bands in the neck
- Neck skin laxity (often combined with a neck lift)
- Excessive fullness under the chin
- Noticeable jowls
- Sagging of facial tissue
Even though the minimally invasive nature of an endoscopic-assisted facelift can reduce the downtime needed for recovery, it’s important to follow all of Dr. Konstantin’s post-operative instructions to ensure you heal as quickly as possible.
Your Endoscopic-Assisted Facelift Procedure
Neck Incisions & Contouring
After anesthesia is administered, Dr. Konstantin typically begins the procedure by making a small incision in a natural skin crease right under the chin. He removes the excess fat and tightens the underlying muscle (platysma) to enhance the contour of the neck. The wireless endoscopic camera is used to visualize important neck structures and assist with muscle tightening and cauterization of small blood vessels.
Facelift Incisions & Contouring
After achieving the desired neck contour, Dr. Konstantin makes inconspicuous facelift incisions and performs the SMAS tightening. Again, he uses the wireless endoscopic camera to provide superior visualization of the distal (or distant) facial structures and blood vessels.
Additional Endoscopic Inspection
At the end of the procedure — after the excess skin is trimmed and sutures are placed — he uses the endoscopic camera to perform additional inspection of the surgical site. This additional examination of the area of the face and neck tightening, after most sutures have been placed, helps ensure a complete hemostasis and confirm the correct placement of the SMAS-tightening sutures. This type of examination is unique for endoscopic-assisted facelifts and could not be done with any other conventional facelift techniques.
More Options for Facelift Anesthesia
An endoscopic facelift can be performed under many different forms of anesthesia. Even though more traditional general endotracheal anesthesia may be used, many patients today prefer lighter forms of anesthesia. Our preferred method is to use mild sedation combined with injection of a local anesthetic into the areas where Dr. Konstantin performs the facelift. This allows him to perform surgical procedures in the safest and most comfortable manner.
What To Expect From Endoscopic Facelift Recovery
As with any other facial rejuvenation procedure, you will experience some swelling and bruising after your procedure. With an endoscopic-assisted facelift, these are usually mild and diminish within a week or two. Numbness, tingling, or a sensation of tightness are also normal and to be expected.
Healing time can vary greatly depending on the extent of the surgery and individual patient characteristics. However, most endoscopic facelift patients can expect to take 5 to 7 days off work for healing. You should allow 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing prior to any important social engagements.