Getting a Facelift in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois

What you need to know about the facelift procedure.

 

Your face is your most characteristic feature. It's how people recognize you, and what makes you you. So it's understandable why you'd be upset about the wrinkles and loose facial skin that develops with age. Fortunately, the facelift procedure can dramatically combat these signs of aging and help you regain your youth and beauty. Below, we'll answer some of the most common questions about facelift surgery, so you can better decide if the procedure is right for you.

 

What improvements can a facelift offer me?

 

A Facelift can make you appear a decade or more younger by firming and tightening facial skin. The process eliminates wrinkles, especially in the forehead, and tightens the sagging skin that comes with age. Facelifts work especially well on the lower portions of the face such as the jowls and neck. Double chins can be completely removed in conjunction with facial improvements. It is also very common to combine facelift surgery with other procedures to achieve an even younger looking face. Eyelid procedures such as upper eyelid blepharoplasty and lower eyelid blepharoplasty are popular in combination with the facelift procedure. You can expect to maintain the results from your facelift for 7 to 10 years after surgery.

 

What can I expect at my initial consultation with my doctor?

 

Getting a personal consultation with a board certified facelift surgeon can be invaluable in deciding whether a facelift is right for you. At the consultation, the physician will sit down with you and discuss the look you'd like to achieve. The doctor will usually show you before and after pictures of patients so that you can get a good idea of what to expect. Costs, risks, and alternative procedures will also be discussed. These consultations are also great because you are free to ask any questions you may have about the procedure or any other procedure you may learn about in the course of your appointment. For this reason, it's often good to come in with a list of questions you'd like answered. Some doctors will have patient references on hand, so it's a good idea to ask and call these patients to get honest information on the overall experience. Chicago Plastic Surgery Network is dedicated to finding you the right doctor and scheduling one of these consultations, free of charge. All you need to do is call us at 877-836-8848 or fill out the form on this page.

 

What does a facelift cost?

 

It's difficult to give estimates for plastic surgery, because costs vary so much on a person's specific situation. For example, someone who needs both face and neck work done will undoubtedly pay more than someone who just needs face work. National averages, however, can be helpful to get in the ballpark. Recent averages have reported surgeon fees for facelifts to fall between $6000 and $15,000. Keep in mind that there are a few other fees you'll need to worry about. There is usually a fee for anesthesia between $1,000 and $1,300, as well as a facility fee between $500 and $2000. As you can see these figures vary greatly depending on the particular surgeon. So it is highly recommended that you go in for a personal consultation to be given estimates directly from the doctor.

 

What can I expect on surgery day ?

 

Facelifts can be performed with either general or local anesthetic, depending on the patient and surgeons preference. If general anesthetic is chosen, you will probably be asked to fast the day before. The surgery will usually take between 1-4 hours depending on the amount of work needed. When you wake up from the facelift, you will be given painkillers to remedy any pain and swelling. In certain cases, patients may be asked to spend a night at the hospital so that they can be monitored over night. Many times, the patient is immediately allowed to return home. Before being released, the nurse will go over any special post surgery instructions and facial hygiene routines you must follow. Make sure to follow these instructions carefully as they will help to prevent complications and will improve your final results.

 

What is the recovery period like for a facelift?

 

Facelift surgery is a major procedure, however, there is surprisingly little pain. Swelling from the surgery will recede in a matter of days and bruising will be gone after about two weeks. Scarring will be pink at first, but will become smaller and whiter with time and can be easily hidden with makeup. Most facelift surgery incisions occur above the hairline, so these areas are already hidden.

 

See Your Doctor

 

Thanks for being responsible and taking the time to do the research on facelift surgery before jumping in. You should now have a better understanding of what a facelift entails. However, it's impossible for us to know your particular situation and give you information specific to you. That's why it's very important to see a board certified facelift plastic surgeon for a personal consultation. Even if you're still unsure whether you'd like to have the procedure, these consultations are always helpful in making your decision. We'd love to help you find the right Chicago or Illinois area plastic surgeon and schedule a personal consultation for you, free of charge. Just call us at 877-836-8848 or fill out our form.