Facelift in Milwaukee & Waukesha

A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering a facelift. During this meeting, one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific goals for surgery.

During your physical evaluation, the doctor will assess your bone structure and the underlying tissues of the face. The thickness, texture and elasticity of your skin and the severity of the wrinkles and folds will also be considered.

Suggestions may be given for other cosmetic procedures that can be performed along with a facelift to meet your appearance goals. For example, a facelift is frequently combined with:

• A forehead lift, to correct lines or furrows in the forehead
• Eyelid surgery, to eliminate drooping upper eyelids or bags beneath the eyes
• Skin treatments, such as laser resurfacing, to minimize fine wrinkles.
• Your own fat transfer to increase hollow cheeks

Your facelift procedure will be performed in one of our accredited, in-office surgical suites. Most often we use local anesthesia and intravenous sedation (twilight sleep) for facelift procedures. However, for some patients, general anesthesia with one of our board-certified anesthesiologists may be the best choice. The type of anesthetic and location of surgery will be discussed during the consultation.

How Long does a Facelift Surgery Last?

The surgery can take from 2-4 hours. After surgery, you will spend at least 2-3 hours in the recovery area and will then be discharged. We offer private- duty nursing care if desired. Details regarding this may also be discussed during your consultation.

Facelift Recovery Time

In the recovery area, a bulky head dressing will be wrapped around your head and neck to help control swelling. Small drainage tubes are placed beneath the skin on both sides of the neck to drain away fluids that might otherwise accumulate. Discomfort is usually minimal, however, pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will help to relieve the discomfort.

In the early stages of healing, you should rest with your head elevated to help minimize bruising and swelling. We will see you in the office the day after surgery to remove the head dressing and the drains. An elasticized garment is used in place of the bulky head dressing to help control the swelling. Most patients find this to be comfortable while offering support to the surgical area. You may shower and shampoo after the drains are removed. Sutures will be removed in stages, the first set in 5 days and the remaining sutures in 8-10 days. Most of the swelling and bruising will disappear within two weeks. Specific instructions for care after the surgery will be provided.

If you’re like most people who have the procedure, you’ll be very pleased with your refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. Although the the recovery process may take some time, you can expect the end result to be worth the wait.

A number of factors, including your heredity and your lifestyle, play a role in how long the results of your facelift will last. Even though the aging process continues, patients are very happy with their appearance for many years following a facelift. By taking care of your skin, embracing a healthy lifestyle, and minimizing sun exposure, you can optimize and safeguard the outcomes of your facelift. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time. In some cases, patients may choose to explore further enhancements in the future.

When the date for your procedure has been set, we will provide you with specific instructions for the days immediately before and after surgery. A number of points may be covered, including:

• Avoiding certain medications that may complicate surgery or recovery, such as Aspirin, aspirin type products,
• Vitamin E and Gingko
• Stopping smoking for a period of 6 weeks before and after surgery
• Arranging for help and special care following surgery
• Letting your hair grow long enough so that it will cover your incisions while they heal

If you prefer not to undergo surgical facelift procedures, there are non-surgical options available to help improve the appearance of your skin and reduce signs of aging. Here are some non-surgical facelift options at Illume Offers: 

• Botox 
• Instalift Threads 
• Filler