New Techniques Offer Quicker
Recovery After Face-Lifts

Dolores was the first patient to have a facelift after the procedure was introduced earlier this year at Memorial Medical Center. As with many patients, the doctors combined other procedures with the face-lift to achieve the result she wanted, including her lower eyelids (blepharoplasty), a chemical peel, and Restylane^® injections. With her approval, Dr. Mendians provided these before and after photos.

A wide variety of cosmetic procedures are offered through the combined resources of the medical center and the Laser Institute of Western Michigan ENT, PC.

One procedure offered by partners Andrew E. Mendians, DO, and J. Ben Hengy, DO, is the new swift face-lift technique, also known as the “weekend” face-lift. Both surgeons have dual board certifications in ear, nose, throat (Otorhinolaryngology) treatment and surgery, as well as facial plastic surgery. Before introducing the procedure to the area, the two ENT specialists trained with one of the leaders in the field, Dominic Brandy, MD, of Pittsburg.

“Most people are well served with the swift lift procedure,” Dr. Mendians observed. “We also do more traditional face-lifts for those needing more extensive procedures. Essentially we combine the broad services of a facial plastic surgeon, including a team of skin care specialists, with a full-service ENT practice.

The swift, or modified, face-lift uses a similar incision, but is less invasive than a traditional face-lift. It involves considerably less elevation of the skin from the underlying facial structures. As a result the recovery time is greatly reduced, involving a few days, rather than weeks. Patients often can have the procedure late one week and be back at work early the next week. Thus the popular term “weekend” face-lift.

Complications from both kinds of face-lift are rare. However, Drs. Hengy and Medians have found that the new technique results in even fewer complications.

“We think it’s important for people to have sophisticated surgical and treatment options close to home, rather than go to Grand Rapids, Detroit, or Chicago,” Dr. Mendians concluded. “Memorial Medical Center and its CEO, Mark Vipperman, adopted a very flexible and cooperative approach to our proposal, making it possible to perform hospital-based cosmetic surgery for more complicated procedures. The more basic cosmetic surgical procedures, including laser treatments and skin care, are performed in our two office settings.”