You may be a good candidate for a male facelift if any of the following three common problem areas of the face are familiar to you:

• Deflation: As we age, we lose facial fat volume. This is usually most noticeable as hollowness just below the cheeks or the descent of fat in the jaw, neck or other parts of the face.
• Radial Expansion: Facial ligaments weaken over time and the attached tissue separates, causing a loss of definition in the jaw line and more pronounced jowls.
• Neck Sagging: As muscles loosen, fat accumulates under the chin. At the same time, the skin loses elasticity, causing fullness around the jaw and neck.

There is no way to definitively stop the aging process; however, through facial rejuvenation, we can slow it down and restore you to a more youthful version of yourself. While it is not an anti-aging cure, a well-performed facelift can greatly rejuvenate the face and neck and give you a much younger-looking appearance.

Always consult with your plastic surgeon before deciding to undergo a facelift. Make sure you understand the potential risks and recovery period associated with the procedure. If looking younger is your goal, your surgeon may be able to recommend other procedures that, when coupled with a facelift, will help restore balance and harmony to your face and body.

At the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, we thoroughly review your medical history, speak with you about your expectations, and provide you with an extensive overview of the procedure.

There are several different methods for performing a facelift, which are often dictated by the desired results of the individual patient. To begin, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. Incisions are made around the front and back of the ear and along the hairline to hide any scarring that may occur. Underneath the skin, facial tissue is lifted, reshaped and re-suspended. The patient’s own fat cells are distributed in the face and neck to correct the deflation and restore facial aesthetic balance. The cheeks are elevated to a more youthful position, and additional fat transfers may be used to lift and fill the cheeks to give a younger overall appearance.

Depending on your individual needs, your plastic surgeon may also use techniques in wrinkle reduction or skin resurfacing during the procedure. Drains maybe placed depending upon the type of facelift performed. Lastly, the incisions are closed with skin sutures.

As an outpatient procedure, facelift patients are released the day of surgery to return home. Patients should keep their head elevated for the first night and use ice packs to reduce swelling. The face will be bandaged after a facelift, but it can be removed by your doctor within a day or two after surgery.

Some bruising and swelling is normal, and sutures can be removed within a week after surgery. It is always important to follow your doctor’s instructions after any surgical procedure and attend follow-up examinations.

Although patients can typically return to normal activity about two weeks after the procedure, the swelling of the face and neck may not completely resolve for two to three months. The full effects of a facelift may not be entirely noticeable until the swelling has gone down completely.

There are always potential risks associated with any surgery. Potential risks of a facelift may include:

• Infection
• Hematoma (blood clot)
• Facial nerve weakness
• Fluid accumulation
• Skin discoloration

Always make sure that the surgeon performing the procedure is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and that the surgery is being carried out in an accredited surgical facility.

The cost of this type of procedure depends largely on the location of the clinic, the surgeon, and the patient’s needs. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a facelift is around $7,000, though it can easily range up to $15,000 and above.

The Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago provides every patient with a detailed breakdown of costs after an initial consultation. It is rare that your health insurance provider will cover any of the costs associated with a facelift.

If you would like to learn more about facelifts for men, or you have questions about the procedure, give us a call to schedule a consultation. We will make sure that you understand the entire procedure all the way through recovery, and we are always upfront about the associated costs and potential risks involved with plastic surgery. If a more youthful and natural-looking appearance is what you desire, contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago today.

All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.