What Is The Best Way To Achieve A Lower Facial Slimming Effect At Just 40 Years Old?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in a review of my case and photos. Your practice is very appealing to me because you offer a wide array of treatments and surgeries. I want the procedure(s) that give me the BEST chances of reaching my aesthetic goals. I am open to all suggestions. I am specifically interested in learning if I could benefit from facial lipo, kybella, threads and/or facetite OR should I just go straight to a facelift or other surgery. I have attached 5 photos: current frontal, side, 45 degree and smiling pics with areas that bother me marked. I also attached a frontal version photoshopped to show how I’d like my lower face to look. I am not adverse to surgery or down time if the procedure gets me what I want preferably permanently. My only restriction is I want as minimal scars as possible and no silicone facial implants. I am 40 yrs old, 5’2, 123 lbs and have had the following aesthetic procedures done several to many years ago: buccal fat removal of entire pad, open rhinoplasty, upper eyelids, ultherapy of lower face and neck, chin implant and then removal of implant years later. Please let me know if any additional info is needed. Thanks

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. The lower facial slimming effect you are trying to achieve is best obtained by a surgical jowl tuckup procedure. (aka limited lower facelift, mini-facelift etc) All other less invasive procedures you have mentioned are for those that are not ready to jump to a surgical procedure. They do not create the same result but serve as methods to delay a surgical approach until more significant signs of facial aging are present or that their results have proven they are inadequate for the patient’s aesthetic goals.

I have attached an example of such a younger type of limited facelift with a close up of the scars around the ears. (6 weeks postop)

FYI no facial rejuvenation procedure, surgical or otherwise, is permanent. They all degrade over time…it is only a question of how much and over what time does one eventually return to baseline. That would be particularly applicable at a young 40 years old.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana