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Facial Cosmetic Surgery at Illume

Facelift in Milwaukee & Waukesha

 When performed properly, a traditional facelift can have a profound anti-aging effect that can make you look like a younger version of yourself. Our board certified plastic surgeons at Illume in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Franklin use a comprehensive approach to facial surgery that not only addresses the skin but also addresses underlying muscles, fat, and fascia to create natural-looking and long-term results.

What Is A Facelift?

Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure that smoothes the loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying tissues, and removes excess skin and fat. Some of the most visible signs of aging first appear on the face. Although the changes appear gradually, there may come a day when you look in the mirror and decide that the face you see doesn’t reflect the way you feel.

Below is some basic information regarding facelift procedures. However, the best way to get complete answers to specific questions is to have a personal consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Facelifts at our Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Franklin practice use techniques that are much more sophisticated than those used in the past. As a result, your face will appear firmer and rejuvenated.  If you’d like to look as good as you feel, a facelift can help.

What’s The Best Age For A Facelift?

Facelifts are most commonly performed on patients in the 40-60 age range. However, the procedure can produce good results for people in their 70s and 80s as well. You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you have any of the following types of conditions:

  • a deep line that runs from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth
  • loss of a well-defined jaw-line (appearance of jowls)
  • deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging skin near the cheekbones
  • loose facial skin, wrinkles or excess fatty tissue in the neck (appearance of turkey neck

 

Facelift Consultation

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:

Facelift Surgery

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.

Preparing For Your Facelift Surgery

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

Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Treatments

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:

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Before and After
Facelift Gallery

Facelifts performed at our Milwaukee and Waukesha locations are done by a board-certified surgeon and have been proven to show great results. Contact us today to learn more about your options regarding our facelift Milwaukee and Waukesha services. Illume can help you feel like the younger version of yourself again.