Facelift & Neck Lift Surgery in Chicago and Chicago North Shore

If you have sagging skin on the cheek, jowl, or neck area, chances are you are a candidate for facelift surgery. However, you will need to consult with Dr. Wiener regarding your suitability for these types of procedures. It is possible that during your consultation with Dr. Wiener, other options may be better suited for your needs.

Depending on the extent of your facelift procedure and the extent of your skin and tissue laxity, results can allow typical patients to appear 5 to 10 years younger, but this is extremely subjective and really depends on the extent of the procedure and any additional procedures.

Typical recoveries from a more limited Neck lift or Mini-Face Lift can be as short as 1 to 2 weeks, while the more extensive face and neck lifts, combined, can be in the 2-week range (but make-up can be applied within a few days.) It is important to remember that some degree of swelling can persist in the face for weeks or even months after any of these types of procedures, but it is usually subtle. Typically, within 2 to 3 weeks, most patients are able to return to regular social interactions.

All of these procedures use some type of incision. These incisions are typically done within the hairline or following the natural contours of the front or back of the ear, or beneath the chin. All of these incisions will leave a permanent scar. The closure of each of these incisions is done with great care. Incisions typically fade and soften over time. Though they are permanent marks, the incisions are usually undetectable at conversational distances.

Typically the Face or Neck Lift surgery does not involve significant discomfort. There is, however, mild discomfort and swelling, which improves rapidly over the one to two week recovery period. Most discomfort after facelift surgery is easily controlled with oral pain medication.

Yes, Dr. Wiener is skilled in rejuvenating your natural features. He will not change the personality of your face during facelift surgery, he will merely improve and rejuvenate what you have, restoring much the fullness and youthfulness that you have lost over the years. Most patients will say that after their recovery from their facelift or neck lift surgery, friends ask them if they have been on vacation or lost weight.

During your extensive consultation with Dr. Wiener in Chicago IL, all of the risks and limitations of these procedures will be discussed in detail. Some of the risks of facelift surgery include:

• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Infections
• Nerve damage
• Asymmetry of the face
• Prolonged swelling
• Poor scarring to certain areas

It is unusual for these complications to occur. Patients who are smokers have a higher risk for some types of complications.

Again, this depends on the extent of the procedure. Typically, light low impact procedures can be started as early as 3 weeks after the procedure. This can include a stationary bike or elliptical machine, or brisk walking. More extensive activities, such as weightlifting, jogging or swimming should be restarted 6 weeks after the procedure.

Results depend on the extent of the procedure and the quality and elasticity of your skin, to begin with. It is important to remember that with any of these procedures, we are simply turning back the clock a few years. The aging process will continue. Most patients, however, will not need any further significant procedures for 5 to 10 years. There may, however, be a need for additional procedures such as Eyelid Lifts, Brow Lifts, Laser Resurfacing, Light Laser Peels or Fat Transfer in order to maintain results depending upon the overall skin quality. Maintaining your skin through a regimen of good skin care products and periodic light laser or chemical peels is also key in maintaining your facelift results. Our registered aesthetician and nurses will formulate a plan that will work best for you!

Absolutely not. Smoking is significantly detrimental to the healing process, especially in procedures such as a facelift or neck lift where the skin’s natural blood supply is altered during the procedure. Patients who are smokers must abstain from smoking for a minimum of 3 weeks prior to and 3 weeks after surgery. Smokers are also at increased risk for complications, even if they do stop prior to surgery. Smoking up to the surgical date can result in severe complications. Be sure to discuss these details with Dr. Wiener during your consultation.

Yes. A neck lift can be performed on its own for patients whose primary concerns are loose neck skin, muscle banding, or fullness under the chin. This option works well when the cheeks and midface remain relatively firm and lifted. During a consultation, the surgeon evaluates facial structure, skin quality, and aging patterns to determine whether a neck lift alone will provide a balanced result.

Yes. A neck lift is one of the most reliable ways to address what is commonly referred to as a “turkey neck.” This appearance is typically caused by a combination of loose skin and weakened neck muscles. By tightening the underlying muscle and removing excess skin, a neck lift restores smoother contours and a firmer neckline that cannot be achieved with non-surgical treatments alone.

A neck lift does not change your facial features or face shape. Instead, it improves the transition between the face, jawline, and neck. By refining this area, the lower face often appears more defined and proportionate, but patients still look like themselves. The goal is a refreshed, natural appearance rather than a noticeable alteration.