“Contour Lift Surgery” Real Case Introduction

To maximize the results of facelift surgery, it is often necessary to appropriately refine the contours of the facial bones that support the soft tissues, including the skin, from underneath before lifting the sagging skin and muscles.

In this post, I will explain the concept and direction of the surgical method I have named “contour lift surgery,” and introduce real cases.

What Is a “Contour Lift”?

I think the term “contour lift” is a name I am using for the first time.

I have previously presented several times at plastic surgery conferences about the need for, indications for, and results of performing facial contouring surgery and facelift surgery at the same time, but at that time I did not use the term “contour lift.”

However, when considering facelift surgery, the contour of the bones that form the firm framework beneath the skin being pulled should be properly refined first in order to expect the best results.

Therefore, to achieve better results through facelift surgery, the appearance of the facial bones needs to be organized first.

I have decided to name the operation that performs facial bone contouring surgery and facelift surgery at the same time “contour lift surgery.”

Simply put, it refers to the process of performing facelift surgery and facial contouring surgery at the same time so that they can achieve the proper harmony.

When the contour of the facial bones is prominent and appears strong, performing a facelift surgery can sometimes make the prominent bone contour even more emphasized.

For example, when thread lifting or facelift surgery is performed, the face may become wider and larger after the procedure than it was before.

• When the contour of the zygomatic bone, which shapes the midface, is prominent

2. When the contour of the body of the lower jaw is prominent

Therefore, when the facial bone contours are prominent as above, in order to achieve good changes through facelift surgery, it is necessary to appropriately refine the prominent facial bone contours and create an environment in which the soft tissues covering the bones can be pulled naturally and comfortably.

Surgical Method - Direction of Surgery This concerns the direction in which the contours of the facial bones should be refined so that the soft tissues, such as the muscles and skin covering the facial bones, can be lifted well.

The detailed and specific content will be explained in each individual article on contour surgery that I will post in the future.

1. Zygoma reduction surgery When facelift surgery is performed, the fat layers in the front and lower parts of the face, including the buccal fat, may move posterosuperiorly, making the face look flatter and wider. Therefore, it is necessary to proceed with surgery in a direction that reduces the contour of the lateral cheekbones as much as possible.

2. Square jaw surgery In the contour of the lower jaw, the area that creates a tired and sagging appearance is the body of the mandible. Therefore, the contour of the body of the lower jaw should be refined as much as possible so that when the muscles and skin tissue are lifted, the jawline can rise naturally and smoothly.

In addition, in cases of a recessed chin with the chin positioned somewhat posteriorly and accompanied by a double chin, advancing the chin can not only make the side profile more distinct, but also improve the line of the double-chin area.

I will now introduce medical photos and 3DCT images of patients I operated on, with their consent for the use of their likeness.

Case 1 This is a case of a patient on whom I performed surgery after being asked to give a presentation on actual surgical cases and the surgical process at the Busan Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Conference in October 2024.

I performed zygoma reduction surgery and a facelift at the same time.

Comparison of the front view before surgery and one year after surgery

Compared with before surgery, the width of the central part of the face appears reduced one year after surgery, confirming that the face has become overall smaller.

Comparison of before surgery and one year after surgery

It can be seen that the nasolabial fold area, marionette line, and double-chin area have improved.

Comparison of before surgery and one year after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one year after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one year after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one year after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one year after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one year after surgery

In the 3DCT soft tissue images before surgery and one year after surgery, it can be seen that the bulging area below the eyes and in the 45-degree zygomatic area has improved.

Case 2 This is a case of a patient who underwent zygoma reduction and chin advancement surgery together with a facelift, as well as Bynary surgery (forehead reduction + brow lift) and lower blepharoplasty.

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

Compared with before surgery, the lateral cheekbone contour is seen to be improving, and as the forehead becomes narrower and the brows are lifted, the eye shape appears clearer.

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

It can be seen that the nasolabial fold and marionette line have improved compared with before surgery.

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

As the chin advanced, the side contour improved and the line in the double-chin area improved.

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

In the 3DCT soft tissue images, the prominent area below the eyes and in the 45-degree zygomatic area can be seen to have become smoother.

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

In the 3DCT soft tissue images, it can be seen that as the chin advanced, the contour of the area connecting the lower lip to the chin improved.

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

In the 3DCT soft tissue images, the prominent area below the eyes and in the 45-degree zygomatic area can be seen to have become smoother.

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

Comparison of before surgery and one month after surgery

In the 3DCT soft tissue images, it can be seen that as the chin advanced, the contour of the area connecting the lower lip to the chin improved.

In this post, I briefly introduced the concept and direction of “contour lift” through the “contour lift” cases I operated on.

I will cover the detailed points of each topic in future posts as separate articles.