Face lift FAQ

Face lifting procedures are designed to improve appearance of the aging face. Surgery may include minimally invasive “mid-face lift” designed to correct early signs of aging or involve more complex face and neck lifting techniques.

At what age should someone have a facelift?

This decision can be only determined by the one’s discomfort with the aging face and desire to look better and younger. Although traditionally facelifts were performed on people in their fifties and sixties and even seventies, nowadays majority of the patients undergo their first facelift in their forties. Although the results are not as striking as for the people in more advanced age, these procedures, when done relatively early, allow people to maintain their youthful and healthy appearance. *

What is a “mid-face” lift?

This endoscopic, technically innovative procedure is designed to correct early signs of facial aging usually associated with a cheek flattening and droop. It is performed through minimally invasive incisions strategically placed in the hair-covered area and inside the mouth. Usually, it is combined with endoscopic brow lift and sometimes with eyelid lift.

What is a facelift?

Traditionally, facelift is designed to tighten the skin and raise it back up. Although in rare cases desirable results may be achieved by “skin only” tightening and repositioning, in most circumstances a more advanced approach is optimal. This involves not only skin layer surgery but also repositioning and tightening of the loose facial and neck musculature and fascia (SMAS). In most cases extra fat deposits in the neck are removed through the liposuction techniques. The incision for a facelift usually begins in the hair-covered area near the temple and continues in front of the ear, around the ear lobe, behind the ear and back into the hair. This incision placement makes the scars well hidden. The procedure takes usually about 3 hours, depending on the complexity of the case. Face lifting is performed either under general anesthesia or under IV sedation.

Do I have to stay in the hospital after surgery?

Although face lift can be performed on the outpatient basis, Dr Turowski recommends an overnight stay in a nearby Recovery Center. This allows him an access to the patient during the first postoperative night. Recovery Center provides level of nursing support typical for a hospital setting with the benefits of a comfortable environment and full privacy. Private rooms are available and the family/friends can stay overnight with the patients. Typically only one night stay is recommended but patients can stay longer for full recovery, if desired.

What is the usual recovery?

After the first night, all the dressings are removed on the first morning after surgery. At this point, depending on the extend of surgery, face may appear swollen and bruised. The sutures are removed on the fifth postoperative day and patients are allowed to resume basic activities. Expect some bruising for about two weeks. However, bruises can be at least partially covered by professional make up available on site. The pain is usually minor, well controlled with oral pain medications. Most patients resume non-physically straining activities within 7-10 days.

When do I have to repeat a facelift?

A person who underwent a facelift will always appear younger and more youthful than her/his peers. However, usually after 7-10 years some additional “tucking” can be performed safely and with great results. This way, good form can be maintained for life.*

Summary

Many areas of the body, like the abdomen and thighs, will respond well and tighten up with proper diet and exercise.  Not so with the neck.  Once your neck has begun to stretch and sag, giving it that “turkey neck” look, there is not much diet and exercise can do to bring back that youthful appearance.

When you need a neck lift, it is usually done as part of facelift surgery.  The neck, chin, face muscles and tissue can all be addressed in one procedure.

Some of the reasons you might think about getting a neck and facelift might include:

• Sagging and loose skin in the neck area
• Jowls resulting from sagging and loss of muscle tone in the lower part of your face
• Excess fatty deposits and loose skin causing a double (or triple) chin
• Deep creases traveling from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth
• Loose and sagging skin anywhere on your face
• Sagging skin on your jawline

A facelift is performed by a cosmetic surgeon either in a hospital or outpatient setting. The procedure itself involves surgically removing excess facial fat, tightening facial muscles, and stretching the facial skin.   This gives the face and neck a firmer and smoother appearance.*

A facelift can improve many areas of the face and neck in one surgery and can contour the face, neck, and the jaw line better than any other technique.  And this cosmetic surgery procedure can last for ten years or more.*

Imagine a procedure that can make you look ten to fifteen years younger and can last more than ten years!!  It’s no wonder over 133,000 facelifts were performed last year.  Surgeons also performed an additional 55,000 neck lift surgeries.*

No two facelifts are exactly alike, and the procedures used differ depending on the situation and goals of patient and surgeon.  The procedure usually takes about 3 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and is performed either under general anesthesia or under IV sedation.

Recovery time varies.  However, it is not unusual for the patient to be able to return to work and other normal activities within about two weeks of the procedure.  Exercise can often be resumed in three to four weeks.  Your surgeon will guide you on the recovery time that’s right for you.

If you’d like to find out if you could be good candidate for a face and neck lift, contact our team at Chicago-based New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Turowski.

Face/neck lift Chicago – Testimonials *

Patient Reviews & Recommendations

RealSelf Patient Reviews of Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.

Blepharoplasty: An Unsung Hero of Cosmetic Surgery

Eyelid Lift Surgery, also known as blepharoplasty is the procedure designed to eliminate a “baggy” appearance beneath the eyes and to remove heaviness from the upper eyelid.

The term blepharoplasty is derived from the Greek work blepharo meaning “eyelid” and plastikos which means “fit for molding”.

When you look in the mirror, do your eyes look tired? Do you have “bags” under your eyes due to aging or genetics? Do your eyes appear puffy, even though there’s no reason for it, such as crying or lack of sleep?

You could be a candidate for the blepharoplasty procedure! Contact our team at Chicago-based New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons.

Other reasons to consider getting eyelid surgery are:

• Removing excess fatty deposits in the upper eyelids
• Sagging skin that creates folds on the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
• Excess skin or fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
• Droopy lower eyelids showing the white below the iris

Having eyelid surgery can change the entire look of your face, giving it a rejuvenated and more rested appearance.*

Your eyelid surgery can be done in an outpatient setting here in Chicago at New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery either under sedation anesthesia or local anesthesia.

For upper eyelid correction, an incision is typically made in the natural eyelid crease. Redundant skin is removed and in certain cases, judicious removal of any excess fat is performed so as to correct the fullness over the eye without leaving the patient with a “hollowed” look.

For the lower eyelid, there are a few different approaches utilized by our specialists, including a tranconjunctival/internal approach only (all incisions on the inside of the eyelid) or a combination approach using both internal and external incisions, depending on the patient’s needs. In most cases, lower blepharoplasty involves removal of excessive or bulging fat underneath the eye through the internal approach. This fat can then be transferred below the orbital rim to correct the so-called “tear trough” deformity. Fat transfer can also be utilized for this purpose. For patients with significant lower eyelid skin laxity, an external incision is made just below the lash line. This incision allows for removal of any redundant skin, and once healed, it is typically well-concealed by the patient’s lashes. Our approach leads to fewer complications related to eyelid malposition after surgery.

When working on the lower lid ​Dr Turowski prefers the latest combination procedure of transconjunctival and open approach. The incision is ​ actually first made inside the eyelid to access fat pocket. Then some of the fat is removed and some transferred below the orbital margin to fill up so call tear through deformity. After that portion is completed another incision is ​ made along the lash line, also toward the temples. ​This incision allows for skin tightening. So, although it appears that 2 incisions have to be performed in this approach rather than only outside eyelid incision, this approach is much safer to avoid serious complications of eyelid malposition. ​

Laser resurfacing is a nonsurgical cosmetic surgery technique sometimes used by our specialists to achieve skin tightening and delay the need for a blepharoplasty. It can also be performed at the same time as traditional eylid lift surgery to correct fine wrinkles and remove blemishes.

Recovery

As with any other surgery, it’s important to fully understand the recovery process before the procedure is begun. Knowing what to do and what not to do after eyelid lift surgery will speed your recovery. Below are a few suggestions. Our staff at ​New Horizons ​Cosmetic Surgery center will give you individualized instructions for both pre and post-operative care.

• Always use sun protection for your eyes until the healing process is fully completed. Wear dark glasses when you are out in the sun.
• Keep your head elevated, even during sleep, for the first several days following surgery.
• Drink plenty of fluids and eat lightly in the days following your surgery.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Do not wear contact lenses until your surgeon says it’s okay.
• Avoid bending or lifting for two weeks after your eyelid lift procedure.
• Do not drive until you are pain-free and your vision is back to normal.
• Check with your surgeon before resuming your usual exercise routine.
• If you have any questions about what you should or should not do during your recovery period, ask your surgeon.

To see if you could be a candidate for the blepharoplasty procedure, contact our team at Chicago-based New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with one our plastic surgeons.

We look forward to seeing you here at New Horizon’s Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

Eyelid lift surgery (Blepharoplasty) FAQ

Who is a good candidate for Blepharoplasty?

As we age our eyelids droop, making us look tired and older. However, this procedure can also be performed for younger patients who are dissatisfied with hereditary heaviness of the lower or upper eyelids or “bags”.

Is the procedure safe?

Blepharoplasty is a very safe procedure when performed by appropriately trained plastic surgeon. Although serious complications have occasionally been reported, these are extremely rare, considering that this is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the USA.

Do I need a procedure on the upper, lower eyelids or both?

This can only be determined after personal consultation with Dr Turowski. Although these are two distinctive operations, they are frequently performed together to achieve the best results. For younger patients removal of the lower eyelid bags may be all that is needed.

The procedure is frequently combined with endoscopic forehead/brow lift to achieve optimal results. In addition, blepharoplasty is often performed together with face lift for overall facial rejuvenation.

How is blepharoplasty performed?

This procedure can be performed under intravenous sedation or even local anesthesia. It is usually performed on the outpatient basis, with the patients going home soon after the surgery. Upper eyelid incision is placed in the skin crease and excess amount of skin and bulging fat is excised. In certain cases, lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed without visible incisions (transconjunctival blepharoplasty). Laser may be used to achieve optimal results. If there is obvious skin excess in lower eyelids, the incision may be made directly under the eyelash line. The excess amount of fat and skin is removed, skin re-draped and incision carefully closed. Eyelid incisions heal in very inconspicuous fashion.

What is the typical recovery?

Postoperative discomfort is usually very mild and easily controlled with oral pain medications. It is recommended to use ice-packs for the first 24 hours after surgery to minimize swelling and bruising. The sutures are removed after 5 days, and with some makeup patient can return to certain activities. Some bruising may persist for about 10 days. No suture removal is necessary for transconjunctival blepharoplasties.

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.
In young patients eyelid lift procedure can be pretty successful restoring youthfull and rested appearance to that region of the face in otherwise very young looking faces. It is a combination of fat removal and fat transfer. *

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.

Forehead/Brow lift (Endoscopic brow lift) FAQ

Who is a candidate for a brow lift ?

There is really no age limit. Wrinkles and frown lines are often first to appear in the brow and forehead area. Although some of these early signs of aging can be corrected by Botox injections, brow lift can provide permanent smoothing of these unwanted lines, combined with rejuvenating brow lift. This may provide a younger, fresher, friendlier appearance, even in very young patients with hereditary tendency to frown.*

How is brow lift performed?

For the last several years there has been a revolution in brow surgery. An “open” method is now almost completely abandoned in favor of “endoscopic” brow lift. This advanced, minimally invasive procedure is performed using a tiny fiberoptic lens inserted through half inch incisions which are strategically placed inside the hairline. The instruments are also introduced through these tiny incisions and the whole procedure is observed on the TV monitor. This endoscopic approach minimizes postoperative discomfort, scars and skin sensation loss typical for the open approach.

What is typical recovery like?

Discomfort is minimal. Incisions are invisible, being placed inside the hairline. Some bruising and swelling may form around the eyes and usually disappear within a week. With make up, patients may return to public life within few days.

Patient Reviews & Recommendations

RealSelf Patient Reviews of Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS

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*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.

Dr. Gregory Turowski explains a mid-face lift and what to expect.

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.

Complex Facial Rejuvenation – testimonial *

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.