Cosmetic Surgery - FaceLIft
At one time, the facelift was considered the procedure for "older, wrinkly people." Today, with advanced procedures, the facelift can be used to remedy multiple concerns of any stage of aging. Less involved techniques and/or advanced technologies allow Dr. Hanson to rejuvenate your appearance with less risk. Most lifts are performed on an outpatient basis and involve less operating and scarring than in the past.
Many factors cause the skin to wrinkle and sag; i.e., exposure to the sun, genetics as well as the natural aging process. Children and young adults have smooth, round faces due to fatty tissue that is evenly distributed throughout the contours of the face. As you age the skin sags and fits more loosely. These folds become prominent, especially around the chin, the jaw line and along the neck.
Dr. Hanson performs rhytidectomies, or facelifts, to enhance your appearance and correct these conditions. A facelift involves tightening the facial and neck muscles as well as removing any excess skin. The procedure is often performed in conjunction with additional cosmetic surgeries such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), forehead lift, chin augmentation, liposuction and/or rhinoplasty (nasal surgery). These procedures can be performed any time after signs of aging appear, to enable you to attain a more youthful appearance.
Before Surgery
We will evaluate your medical history to determine your overall health. Dr. Hanson will discuss with you how your face can look and what you can expect from surgery. Our objective is to create a natural appearance that is pleasing to you. Photographs and computer imaging are performed to determine the amount of targeted improvement.
We will provide you with preoperative instructions. These may include the elimination of specific drugs containing aspirin several weeks before surgery to minimize excess bleeding. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection. You may be instructed to shampoo your hair the night before surgery. A small amount of hair may be shaved around your ears and temples.
Surgery
A facelift can be performed under IV sedation or under general anesthesia in our state-of-the-art surgical facility. These options will be discussed in detail with you. Pre-medication is administered for relaxation. Incisions are made inside the hairline at the temple, running in front of the ear, then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending in the hair of the scalp.
The loose skin is separated from underlying tissue and is pulled up and back. Excess skin is removed. Sagging muscles and connective tissues are tightened. In some cases, fatty deposits are removed from beneath the chin and neck. Small sutures are used to close the incisions. The procedure may take up to five hours depending on whether any other procedures are performed at the same time.
Post-Operative Care
Bandages are applied to the area of surgery and are removed within a few days. Pain is moderate and controlled with oral medications. Your sutures are removed within the first five to 10 days. To minimize scarring, Dr. Hanson may remove the sutures in stages.
Scarring fades quickly. Swelling and discoloration will decrease within two weeks. Tightness in your face will be present for several weeks and there may be slight changes in your hair pattern around the incision.
We recommend that you avoid the sun for several weeks after surgery. Healing is gradual. Improvement varies, depending on your initial condition. In most cases, a single procedure achieves the desired results. Nearly all patients who have had facelifts are pleased with their new, more youthful appearance.
Our Practice, Our Promise:
As Chicago oral and cosmetic surgeons, our Lincoln Park Dental practice provides dental implant services, cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery, tooth extractions, facial trauma surgery, medi-spa treatments, and more to Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
Marvin Greene, D.D.S.
Dr. David H. Hanson, M.D., D.D.S.
Contact Information
2449 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 327-2400
Fax: (773) 327-4759
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