MACS Face Lift
The MACS, or minimal access cranial suspension, face lift is a less invasive form of face lift which has become increasingly popular due to the procedure’s smaller incision size and, consequently, the smaller resulting scar. Unlike the conventional face and neck lift, the MACS face lift involves less dissection and stretching of the skin. Instead, the procedure focuses on the tightening of the connective and fat tissues of the face. There are several advantages to this form of face lift. The first of which is the smaller incision which results in a more easily concealable scar. The scar is also located in front as opposed to behind the ear and is therefore easier to hide. In addition, less skin is elevated during the procedure as well which means that there is less risk of damage to the nerves and bleeding. The operation also typically takes less time than a regular face lift and requires a shorter recovery time, usually about two to three weeks. The results of the procedure also usually appear more natural than the traditional operation.
How is the MACS Face Lift Performed
The MACS face lift is done using between two and three dissolving sutures which are placed in the temporalis fascia area located above the ear. This fascia is ideal because, due to its strength, the area is able to withstand a good amount of weight. One of the sutures is placed vertically in the deep tissue and elevates the posterior edge of a thin layer of muscle known as the platysma muscle. When the suture is tightened during the procedure, this allows for the elevation of the neck’s soft tissues. In this way, the tissues of the neck are able to support the skin tissue as opposed to the skin having to bear the weight of the underlying tissues. This allows for the skin to maintain its firmness and avoid future sagging of the face and neck. The second absorbable suture is placed further forward from the temporalis fascia to elevate the tissues of the area in the cheek. This allows for the correction of deformed jowls and the area between the nose and the cheek, the nasolabial lobe. Similar to the other suture, this allows the soft tissue to be pulled upward bringing the skin along with it. This again allows for the soft tissue to support the skin as opposed to the other way around. A third suture, which is not always required, may be used in order to support the lower lid of the eye as well as parts of the cheek.
Other sutures can then be placed in the cheek area in order to pull the soft tissues of the cheek upwards. It is then possible for the skin of the cheek to be pulled upward over these sutures which allows for the tissue to not only support the skin and lead to elevation of the soft tissue but also to the tightening of the skin. The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures that are buried within the skin so as to prevent the appearance of stitch marks. This also minimizes the appearance of scars following the healing of the wound. Also, because the incisions are typically made in a zig-zag pattern, the scars will typically blend into the hairline making them practically invisible.
As is the case with any surgery that is conducted, complications and side effects can occur. These include continued post-operative bleeding, as well as swelling, infection, and other delays during recuperation. Fortunately for patients, however, all of these side effects are fairly uncommon. In order to prevent unnecessary side effects and delays in healing, it is necessary that individuals quit smoking both before and after the procedure. Smoking has been known to prevent timely healing because of its ability to decrease circulation within the body.
Recovery After Surgery
After the procedure, it is typical that the face will feel overly taught. However, this tightness will begin to subside over time with the skin of the face becoming looser over the following months after the procedure. With the MACS face lift, as opposed to the conventional face lift, there is usually very little bruising. The patient will experience some swelling, typically more on one side of the face than the other which is most likely due to the side upon which the patient sleeps after the surgery. Another side effect, which is very rare, is temporary Bell’s palsy which affects the nerve of the face which allows the face to be able to move.
Most patients are very satisfied with the results of the MACS face lift procedure. However, there are a couple instances in which an additional procedure may be desired or necessary. As with any face lift procedure, the MACS face lift is not permanent. Due to time and gravity, the skin will again begin to sag due to age. Therefore, it is common for people who receive a face lift operation to return for a tightening of the skin at a later time. This, however, is typically a less complicated procedure than the initial operation. It can usually be performed under a local as opposed to general anaesthetic and is an out-patient procedure. If the patient opts to have another procedure, this would include an additional cost because the repeat operation is not because of any fault on the part of the surgeon but is a decision that is voluntarily made on the part of the individual. The rate at which the skin begins to sag is largely dependent not only on the passage of time but also on the quality of the patient’s skin such as the individual’s inherent skin elasticity. Although, as mentioned previously, there is an additional cost attached to another procedure, the cost is usually much less than the original operation due to the use of local as opposed to general anaesthetic as well as the fact that this procedure does not necessary have to take place within a hospital.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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