The Lift is a new, innovative, minimally invasive method of facial rejuvenation. Developed by pioneering South African plastic surgeon Des Fernandez, The Lift uses multiple, fine, sutures to lift and support sagging skin on the face and neck.

Dr Szalay trained in the Lift technique with Dr Fernandez and has now performed over 600 lift and lift-plus procedures.
 

How Does The Lift Work?

The sutures used in the Lift are looped, by way of small hollow needles, to sagging skin. The other ends of the sutures are anchored to firm tissue behind the ear or in the scalp, lifting and holding the soft tissue in the corrected position.

Accordingly, the sutures are able to lift and support drooping cheeks, eyebrows, jowls or neck, restoring firmness to the face and neck.
 

What are the Advantages of The Lift?

SAFETY
The sutures are made of prolene, a biocompatible material that has been used for many years safely as a permanent suture in all forms of surgery including facial surgery.

APPEARANCE
No visible scars on the face will occur after The Lift because the small incisions are hidden behind the ear or in the scalp.

SIMPLE
The Lift is technically a simple procedure to perform- looping sutures at one end and tying them at the other.

RECOVERY
The recovery from this procedure is quick, with patients able to return to work after 3-7 days.
 

What is The Lift Procedure Like?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic. Sedation can also be used if requested. A small (1.5cm) cut is made behind the ear or in the scalp. A fine, hollow needle is then passed through and under the skin in such a way as to enable a loop of the suture to attach to the underlying tissue. The other ends of the sutures are then anchored to firm tissue behind the ear or in the scalp, lifting and supporting sagging skin of the neck, chin, cheeks and eyebrows.

Patients can return to normal work or social activities after 3-7 days.

How Does The Lift Differ from the Various forms of Thread Lifts?

With The Lift, multiple loops of sutures are placed through the firm underlying supportive muscle layer of the face (SMAS) in order to securely lift the face. This is the same layer that is tightened (by more invasive methods) in a standard face lift. With the various forms of thread lifts, the threads only attach to the weaker fat layer which lies beneath the skin. For this reason it is Dr Szalay's opinion that The Lift is significantly more effective than the various forms of thread lifts. Perhaps the best way to guage the effectiveness of a technique is to look at good quality before and after photographs where the patient is in the same position and the same angle is used in both before and after photographs.
 

Results of The Lift Performed by Dr Szalay (for more face photos see the Lift Plus)

What is the Cost?

The initial consultation with Dr Szalay is $70.00. The cost of the standard The Lift procedure is as follows:
   • Eyebrows $2750
   • Cheek lift (mid face) $2750
   • Lower cheek and jowls $2750
   • Neck $2750
   • Any 2 of the above area $4950
   • Any 3 of the above $6600

Please note that payment is required on the day of the procedure by cash or credit card. The cost of the procedure will exceed the daily Eftpos limit.