facelift SURGEON | RHYTIDECTOMY | CHICAGO, IL
A Facelift Can Restore Your Youthful Facial Features
"I recently had a lateral eye brow lift by Dr Rachel. This man is absolutely amazing at what he does! I am only 1 week out and my eyes look absolutely beautiful. I had VERY minimal swelling and brusing and no pain! If you are considering having ANY work done especially on your face... the ONLY Dr to see is Dr Rachel. "
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It involves removing excess skin and fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin on the patient’s face and neck.
What is a facelift?
- Sagging appearance of your cheeks
- Excess skin at your lower jawline (jowls)
- A deepening of the skin fold from the side of your nose to the corner of your mouth.
- Skin sagging and extra fat in the neck (if the procedure includes a neck lift)
A facelift procedure isn't a treatment for superficial wrinkles, sun damage, creases around the nose and upper lip, or irregularities in skin color.
A facelift procedure can also be done with other procedures including a rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift or neck lift . Other skin treatments such as IPL photo facials, microneedling, or laser treatments can also help to improve the quality and texture of the skin and further enhance your results.
Why get a facelift?
Thinning skin, loss of facial fat, gravity, UV damage, smoking, genetics, and stress can all contribute to an aging face. When facial aging becomes more apparent, a face lift may be a good option for you.
are you a good candidate for a facelift?
Gravity and loss of volume can lead to drooping skin, wrinkles, and an overall aged look. Fortunately, facelift surgery is an effective way to reduce the appearance of aging and restore a more youthful appearance. At our practice in Chicago, Dr. Francine Vagotis specializes in facelift surgery and can help you achieve the look you desire. Through her advanced techniques and a personalized approach, our team can help you look as young as you feel.
- Have extra sagging skin of the face and neck
- Non-smoker
- In good health and do not have any serious underlying conditions that may affect wound healing
What are the different types of Facelift procedures?
Standard Facelift
A regular or "classic" facelift will thoroughly address moderate to advanced aging around the mid-face and neck. While the operation is more comprehensive than a mini-facelift and requires more recovery time, the results are spectacular.
A cosmetic surgeon can rearrange the deeper tissues beneath the skin, remove extra skin to smooth creases, minimize jowling and sagging skin under the chin, and restore a naturally young shape to the face and neck by incisions just below the hairline, concealed in the natural folds.
Mini-Facelift (MAC)
Patients with minor jowling and sagging skin are frequently ideal candidates for a mini-facelift. A mini-facelift is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a cosmetic surgeon to tighten deep facial tissues with small incisions, commonly situated along the hairline above each ear and in the natural creases surrounding the ear.
Through these incisions, structural tissues surrounding the cheeks are raised and tightened to address jowling, improve the jawline, and revitalize a "tired" look.
Depending on the circumstances, a mini-facelift may be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia; your cosmetic surgeon will advise you on the best technique for your unique needs.
A mini-facelift can help you address unwanted indications of aging before they become too noticeable, delaying the need for more substantial surgery for several years.
SMAS Facelift
When your facial skin begins to age, the epidermis and SMAS membrane lose suppleness. This loss causes sagging cheeks around the jaw bone, fatty jowls, and, in some cases, a double chin. The cheek fat will then fall forward, emphasizing the nasolabial creases.
A SMAS facelift reduces the appearance of aging by tightening the muscle, eliminating fat, and reducing extra skin. A facelift can help you with the following issues:
- Sagging in the midface
- Hollow cheeks
- Nasolabial folds
- Jowls
- Sagging fat
- Loose skin and fat behind the chin and along the jawline.
Many people consider the SMAS facelift to be the "gold standard" of facelifts nowadays.
Which Facelift Is Right for You?
Although aging is unavoidable, we all fear the symptoms that accompany it as we become older. The first markings that appear are fine lines and wrinkles, which can be aggravating.
However, your face and neck do not necessarily have to represent your age. If you wish to appear like a younger version of yourself, a facelift might be the solution. Face lifting improves and rejuvenates your look by removing extra skin, smoothing out wrinkles, and tightening deep facial tissues.
Each facelift patient has varying degrees of drooping and apparent aging. As a result, it stands to reason that the same surgical approaches will not work for everyone. Numerous facelift surgical procedures have been developed due to new technology and experience to meet various demands and accomplish multiple aims.
While a meeting with Dr. Rachel will determine which facelift Chicago is ideal for you, you should conduct your study ahead of time to understand facelift surgery and recovery better.
Dr. Rachel uses the SMAS or MACS facelift techniques to provide a more youthful facial look with smoother contours and enhanced definition.
What are the risks associated with a facelift?
Complications from facelift surgery are possible. Some can be managed with meticulous care, medicine, or surgical correction after a facelift. While long-term or permanent problems are uncommon, they might result in substantial alterations in appearance.
What is the Recovery Time for a facelift procedure?
Most patients can return back to work after 1-2 weeks. Scars are well hidden along the natural contours of your face.
After a facelift surgery, you may experience:
- Mild to moderate pain
- Drainage from the incisions
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Numbness
You should contact your surgeon immediately if you have:
- Extreme pain on one side of your face or neck within 24 hours of surgery
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeats
Your wounds will most likely be covered with bandages that apply mild pressure to reduce swelling and bruising. To drain any fluid, a small tube may be placed into the skin behind your ears.
Make arrangements for assistance during your rehabilitation. If your facelift is performed as an outpatient treatment, arrange for someone to drive you home following surgery.
How you prepare for your facelift?
Initially, you'll discuss a facelift with your surgeon. The following are likely to be included in the visit:
- Medical history and exam. Prepare to answer questions about your present and previous medical issues, previous surgeries, previous plastic surgeries, complications of earlier operations, smoking history, and drug or alcohol usage. Suppose your surgeon has any reservations about your ability to undertake surgery. In that case, they will do a physical exam, obtain current records from your doctor, or arrange for a visit with a specialist.
- Medication review. Give the names and amounts of medications you use daily, including prescription pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medications, herbal medicines, vitamins, and other dietary supplements.
- Facial exam. Your surgeon will take some photos of your face from various angles and close-ups of certain features. To evaluate your best alternatives for facelift surgery, the surgeon will also check your bone structure, face shape, fat distribution, and skin quality.
- Expectations. Your surgeon will inquire about your hopes for the results of a facelift surgery. They will explain the procedure and how a facelift surgery will affect your look and what it will not address, such as fine wrinkles or natural asymmetry in your face.
How much does a facelift cost in chicago, Illinois?
The cost of a full facelift is $10,000 to $12,000 or more in Chicago, Illinios. This average price is only a portion of the entire cost; it does not cover anesthesia, operating room amenities, or other associated costs. To receive a customized quote and face lift price, please meet with us for a consultation.
Most health insurance companies do not cover facelift surgery because it is considered an elective procedure. However, we do provide patient financing and flexible payment options for those who qualify.
Why Choose Dr. John D. Rachel?
Experience. Expertise. Artistry.
John Rachel, MD, FACS is a quadruple board certified, fellowship-trained, plastic surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery located in Chicago, Illinois.
John Rachel, MD, FACS is a quadruple board certified, fellowship-trained, plastic surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery located in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Rachel's surgical expertise was further honed under the mentorship of Dr. William Beeson, a past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. This experience under a leading authority in the field helped further Dr. Rachel's expertise in cosmetic facial surgery including face lifts, rhinoplasty, and blepharoplasty surgeries.
He has authored numerous papers in esteemed peer-reviewed medical journals, such as JAMA Otolaryngology and Dermatologic Surgery. His research findings have not only enriched medical literature but also been featured at numerous national medical conferences, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field of facial plastic surgery.
Schedule Your Facial Analysis & Facelift Consultation With Dr. John Rachel in Chicago or Glenview Today!
Face Lift Before & After Gallery
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