Milwaukee Face lift before and after

What is a facelift?

While “facelift” is a generally descriptive term, it refers to a number of procedures that will change the look of the lower face, including cheeks, jowls, and neck.  The procedure entails incisions placed in front of and behind the ear.

Am I a candidate for a facelift?

An ideal Facelift candidate is a person who has sagging skin of the neck and along the jawline.  Their overall health is good, and their expectations are realistic.  A well performed facelift will rejuvenate your face and restore more youthful feature.

Reasons for having a facelift include:

  • Sagging in the mid-face area
  • Tired sad look
  • Significant jowls along the jawline
  • Loose skin and excessive fatty deposits under the chin area, resulting in a “double chin” or “turkey neck”
  • Facial fat that is displaced or drooping, creating exaggerated jowls

How the surgery is performed

The facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 3 hours. In addition to the anesthesia, numbing medication is used in the facial area to make sure you will be comfortable when you wake up from the surgery.

Incisions are typically made around the ears and behind the ears. The skin is carefully raised from the lower face and neck area. Excess skin is then carefully removed and meticulously sutured. Because incisions are carefully placed within the natural folds found in front, inside and behind the ear, and the finest sutures are used, the scars fade to being barely noticeable. This type of surgery produces a natural, long-lasting effect, with minimal postoperative discomfort.

Can I get a facelift?

The best way to determine if a facelift is right for you is to have an initial consult.

The recovery process

After the procedure, a bandage dressing is applied. There will be some discoloration and swelling around the face and neck area, but this should improve over the next 7 days or so. Pain after surgery is easily managed with prescription pain medication. You will need to keep your head elevated as much as possible, and avoid strenuous activities for 2 to 3 weeks.

How long until you can return to normal activities

Most patients can return to work in 2 weeks. Any type of physical activity that will raise your blood pressure should be avoided for about 3 weeks.

Consultation

The best way to determine if a facelift is right for you is to have an initial consultation with Dr. Sonderman. You will have an opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations about the surgery with the Dr. Sonderman and ask any questions you may have.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Sonderman will:

  • Review your medical history and any medications your are taking
  • Discuss the procedure and any related procedures
  • Provide recommendations based on your needs and goals