The Zero Experience™ is a cornerstone of The Maercks Institute’s reimagined luxury facelift. Patients come to The Maercks Institute for more than a facelift—they come for an elevated experience that is unlike anything offered at any other practice. Zero general anesthesia, zero pain, zero social downtime, and zero telltale signs of surgery—these are the tenets of The Zero Experience™ that make facial procedures at The Maercks Institute special. It may sound too good to be true, but with an exceptionally talented surgeon like Dr. Rian A. Maercks, it’s entirely possible, and thousands of patients already have the results to prove it.

Dr. Maercks is an internationally recognized board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience; he has changed the lives of thousands of patients from across the globe with his proprietary techniques and unparalleled attention to patient care. Dr. Maercks created Zero Experience™ himself to give his patients the best possible experience with the best possible outcomes. To learn more, please reach out online or call (305) 328-8256.

About the Zero Experience

Dr. Maercks’ facelift with The Zero Experience™ is a groundbreaking procedure that turns back the clock, completely without pain, general anesthesia, downtime, or scarring. Dr. Maercks uses his own proprietary KEDGE midface suspension technique, which champions long-term support and consistently creates stunning results for patients. This approach repositions the midface and neck as a singular unit, providing the optimal subtle-but-transformative lift. The KEDGE midface suspension technique will make you look rested and refreshed, but still completely you. It is very important to Dr. Maercks that his patients do not look distorted, tightened, or even operated on at all. With his Zero Experience™, you can achieve long-lasting revitalization while still looking uniquely like your natural self. People will not even be able to place what exactly changed about you—they will just know you look great!

What is Histiocentricity

Coined by Dr. Maercks himself, histiocentricity is one of the core principles at The Maercks Institute. Histiocentricity is the philosophy of always aiming to dissect the skin as little as possible to achieve the best results. By doing so, he avoids any unnecessary scarring and tissue damage while reducing your risk of complications.

Reviewing the Benefits of The Zero Experience™

The Zero Experience™ offers numerous advantages for patients. When undergoing this procedure, many of Dr. Maercks’ patients experience benefits such as:

  • Quick, Easy Recovery: The Zero Experience™ requires no social downtime, allowing you to return to your activities as soon as you are ready—you can even be out at a dinner with friends the night after your appointment. Most surgeons tell their patients to prepare to take at least one to two weeks off from work and other commitments. During this time, patients can typically expect a lot of swelling, discomfort, and unsightly bruising—but not with The Zero Experience™! Dr. Maercks patients are photo-ready much sooner, and feel great after their procedure.
  • Painless Procedure: Many surgeons warn their patients that they will need to have realistic expectations about the pain they might experience after their procedure. But thanks to Dr. Maercks’ innovative techniques and extremely light touch, this is no longer an unavoidable concern. Dr. Maercks also uses Exparel, a long-lasting, non-opioid medication that offers exceptional pain management long after the procedure is over.
  • No General Anesthesia: If you are dreading “going under” heavy general anesthesia for your facelift, you do not have to! The Zero Experience™ actually completely eliminates general anesthesia as a standard of the facelift procedure. Dr. Maercks performs each of his procedures using local anesthesia, allowing you to avoid the unpleasant side effects of general anesthesia, such as brain fog, nausea, fatigue, and more. This also makes the procedure much less risky health-wise.
  • Discreet Results: Dr. Maercks makes very small incisions, and he makes sure they are fully hidden in natural creases around the ear and in the hairline whenever possible. You will not need to worry about the appearance of long or unsightly scars—in fact, no one will even know you had a procedure done.
  • Natural, Effortless Results: You can always tell when a surgeon used outdated or inadequate techniques during a facelift. Dr. Maercks’ KEDGE midface suspension technique completely avoids tightness and distortion, and common concerns like rounded “golf ball” cheeks, “Joker lines,” and more. His results look subtle and elegant, and they encourage graceful aging over time.

Candidates

A facelift can effectively address several visible signs of aging, including wrinkles or creases, malpositioned facial fat, and sagging skin. (1) If you are experiencing any of these concerns, you are likely a good candidate for Dr. Maercks’ Zero Experience™. If you are unable to undergo general anesthesia, or if you simply do not want to deal with all of the bothersome side effects, The Zero Experience™ is a great alternative to a traditional facelift at a different practice.

If you are considering a surgical facelift, you should be in good general health without any underlying medical conditions that may affect your ability to heal. You should also ideally be a nonsmoker or willing to quit using nicotine for an extended period of time. Dr. Maercks will confirm each patient’s candidacy during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Maercks understands that each patient is different, so the consultation process is extremely important to him. During your personal consultation, Dr. Maercks will meet with you to discuss your medical history, concerns, and desired results. He will examine your facial anatomy and the quality of your skin to design a unique treatment plan just for you.

To request a consultation, please submit our online contact form or call (305) 328-8256.

Cost of the Zero Experience™ in Miami, FL

The cost of your Zero Experience™ will depend on your unique procedure and aesthetic requests. Some patients benefit from combined treatments for more comprehensive rejuvenation, and this will be reflected in the cost if included. Dr. Maercks will provide you with a cost estimate after outlining the details of your procedure.

To learn more about the costs associated with the Zero Experience™, please schedule a consultation online or call (305) 328-8256.

FAQ

What is the difference between a traditional facelift and the Zero Experience™?

A traditional facelift might use general anesthesia and focus mainly on lifting the lower portions of the face. Afterward, patients can expect about one to two weeks of downtime and activity restrictions. Dr. Maercks’ Zero Experience™ uses the KEDGE midface suspension technique to reposition facial layers as a single unit. Not only does this provide incredible results, but it also provides patients with an unparalleled experience involving zero general anesthesia, zero pain, zero social downtime, and zero telltale signs of surgery! With The Zero Experience™, patients can expect their results to age gracefully over time and remain stable, whereas traditional facelifts put patients at risk of looking ‘overdone’ or ‘pulled.’

Is local anesthesia better than general anesthesia during a facelift?

The biggest benefit to using local anesthesia is the shortened recovery time and the elimination of the unwanted side effects so often associated with general anesthesia. These include fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, brain fog, and more. Use of local anesthesia can reduce the risk of certain complications as well. Dr. Maercks uses Exparel, a long-acting, non-opioid medication that provides patients with an exceptionally comfortable experience after the surgery is over.

Will there be visible scarring after my Zero Experience™?

The Zero Experience™ offers exceptionally discreet results. Many patients report that it is impossible for their friends and loved ones to decipher why they look so much better. Dr. Maercks hides tiny incisions in areas like the hairline and around the ears, allowing patients to look like they did not have anything done. His techniques result in a much more refreshed appearance without any visibly long or unsightly scars.

How long will it take to recover from my Zero Experience™?

The Zero Experience™ offers no social downtime, which means you may return to most of your activities immediately. However, you will need to avoid engaging in strenuous or physically demanding activities until Dr. Maercks has cleared you.

How long will the results of my procedure last?

The results of the Zero Experience™ facelift are long-lasting, with many of Dr. Maercks’ patients experiencing their effects for years. However, it is important to remember that the natural effects of aging will continue to affect your appearance with time. In any case, Dr. Maercks’ results age naturally, and patients typically do not have to undergo another facelift to restore rejuvenation.

Can I combine my Zero Experience™ with another procedure?

Yes, you may choose to combine your procedure with another to complement the results of your facelift, or to refine the appearance of a different feature within a single appointment. To learn more about combining your procedure, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Maercks.

References

  1. Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. Nih.gov. Published March 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/#article-28568.s4
  2. Boyd CJ, Ceradini DJ. Current Trends in Facelift and Necklift Procedures. Journal of clinical medicine. 2025;14(12):4273. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124273