Facelift In Chicago

The Face Lift, also known as a Rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance by eliminating the lax skin, heavy jowls, and sagging neck tissue that results from the aging process.

A Face Lift will address the lower 1/3 of the face and neck, primarily from the lower cheeks down to the neck area. A Mini-Lift treats the cheek area alone.

The ideal patient for a Face Lift or Mini-Lift will be in generally good health, preferably within 20 pounds of their goals weight, and looking to improve sagging tissue along the lower face and neck. The procedure can benefit patients of any age, as well as both men and women.

Dr. Moynihan begins the Face Lift procedure by making a thin incision at the hairline, immediately above the temples. This will extend across the scalp to end in the hairline behind the ears. From here, he will lift and reshape the tissues of the face, providing a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Moynihan places the Face Lift incisions behind the hairline along the scalp and behind the ear. When working on the neck region, the incisions are placed under the chin. As a result, scars are well concealed within the natural anatomy. The Mini-Lift uses extremely small incisions along the scalp and behind the ear, which are also hidden within the hairline.

The Face Lift procedure is performed under IV or general anesthesia.

Depending on the type of Face Lift, and extent of correction, the procedure will take between three to four hours to complete.

A compressive dressing will be placed around the cheeks and under the chin the first night following a Face Lift. Patients are given instructions on how to remove these dressings and clean the incisions the next day. Seven days after the Face Lift, sutures and clips are removed. Another follow-up appointment, at the two-week mark, will remove one final suture by each earlobe. Dr. Moynihan will closely monitor the recovery progression during this time. If healing is going well, postoperative appointments are then scheduled for six weeks, three months, six months, and one year.

Patients should expect the recovery after a Face Lift to take about two weeks. Initially, swelling and bruising will occur, although most of this will diminish over two to three weeks. Temporary numbness and tightness may be noticeable, as well. Minor discomfort may be experienced over the first few days, but Dr. Moynihan will prescribe appropriate pain medications to keep patients resting comfortably at home.

Generally, patients feel and look well enough to return to work 10-14 days after their Rhytidectomy procedure. Strenuous activities should be postponed for the first four to six weeks.

To provide maximum facial rejuvenation results, a Chin Implant may be used with a Face Lift to enhance the facial structure. To smooth and even nasolabial folds (creases from the nose to the edges of the mouth), facial fillers, such as Juvederm®, work well with the Face Lift procedure. Both combinations will provide natural, organic looking results.

Modern Face Lift techniques used at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery make the procedure safe and efficient. Since it is a surgical procedure, there are still risks involved. These can include excessive bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, and nerve injury. Those with diabetes mellitus, chronic illness, or use tobacco productions may encounter the additional risk of poor wound healing. For this reason, Dr. Moynihan may choose to treat these patients with a more conservative technique.

The Face Lift procedure does result in visible scarring. These will be well concealed within the natural hairline, though, thus making the scars almost unnoticeable.

The exact cost of a Face Lift will depend on the technique used and the level of correction required. Dr. Moynihan will determine the cost of an upcoming Face Lift procedure at the consultation appointment.

Patients have the option to pay with cash, all major credit cards, or with medical financing through CareCredit. At your consultation with Chicago face lift specialist Dr. Moynihan, the exact cost of an upcoming Face Lift procedure will be discussed, as well as all available payment options.