Dr Turowski - Plastic Surgery Chicago > Cosmetic surgery of the face > Face/neck lift Chicago *

Face/neck lift Chicago *

This procedure is designed to reduce the signs of aging. Depending on patients. Preoperative appearance and desires, it may involve more or less advanced approaches.

face lift chicago

Face lift FAQ

Face lift Chicago
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.