Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Chicago
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Facial aging touches on two aspects of life; our longevity and our ability to compete in a world focused on vitality.
A youthful face is assumed to be a reflection of our energy and health that provides us with a competitive advantage and gives us a sense of longevity.
As I analyze facial aging, I have come to conclude that aging occurs on three levels.
At a deep level, there is a downward migration of the fat, formation of
large skin folds and relaxation of neck muscles. At a medium depth, fine lines and fine wrinkles make their appearance (mainly around the eyes and mouth).
At a more superficial level skin quality and texture is affected with dark patches, red spots, scaling, etc. If the aging is mainly at the medium or
superficial level, please review the section on non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
I examine the patient in this framework and note at which level the aging process is primarily occurring. Accordingly, I choose the method of
treatment that will give the most remarkable result.
Although facial
rejuvenation is constantly being revisited and improved upon, there is some
basic understanding that dictates my approach in performing a face lift. In
order to simplify the discussion, I tend to divide the face into the upper face,
the mid face, and the lower face. Discussion of the lower face is covered in the
section on platysmaplasty (neck lift).
Plastic surgery literature has witnessed different approaches to the problem for
the mid-face .There have been many changes in the recent past as to the way we
understand the aging process. As we stand today, the most reliable and
consistent understanding involves realizing that facial sagging develops in an
up-down (vertical) direction not front to-back and, therefore, the correction of
the mid-cheek needs to address that vertical descent. I frequently use a
combined approach through the mouth in order to allow for elevation of the
tissues over the bones and suspension from an incision in the scalp above the
ear level.
As far as the upper face, we will need to look at the forehead lines, the
glabellar lines, the lateral aspect of the eyebrow and the eye, and then decide
on how the correction will occur. We can perform a forehead lift and elevate the
eyebrows, or lift the corner of the eyes. Depending on the anatomic
circumstances and the concerns of the patient, a plan that addresses those needs
is formulated.
I perform the surgery with general anesthesia or with intravenous sedation and
local anesthesia. The patient goes home the same day of surgery with drains,
which are typically removed the next day. Sutures are removed at one week, and
the bruising is gone by ten days. The incisions are usually well hidden.
Face Lift Surgeries are performed in Chicago and Des Plaines, Illinois.
Interested in a Face Lift?
