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FACE LIFT (RHYTIDECTOMY) SURGERY

Face Lift Cosmetic Surgery

Facelift Surgery (whether it is a surgical face lift or non-surgical facelift or weekend face lift) restores a smoother and more pleasing contour to your face and neck. It can help you look as good as you feel, and perhaps feel younger than you are.

Among the many options are procedures such as a short scar face lift, mini face lift, weekend face lifting... The list goes on and on. Non surgical face lifts are also a possibility. Among the hottest trends in this area are endoscopic face lifts, midface lifting, and short scar lifts. The term "face lift in a bottle" usually refers to Botox.

Face Lift Surgery is here to stay. The results are even more natural than ever, as a greater emphasis is placed on looking more youthful and rejuvenated - not simply looking tighter!

Dr. Speron has a tremendous amount of experience with face lift surgery in Chicago. It is one of the most common procedures that he performs. He is able to offer all types of options to his patients:

A consultation is necessary to be considered for this procedure.

  • He performs all the various S-scar face lift, mini face lift, mid face lift and neck lift approaches including minimally invasive and short-scar approaches He does not typically use drains for facial lifting surgery
  • He offers the pain pump, if patients request it (his patients typically take narcotics for < 24 hours even without this)
  • He offers the pain pump for post-op comfort
  • All patients receive "nerve blocks" during surgery, which means the pain cycle is controlled from the very beginning

Scar Treatment After Surgery

Laser Treatment Procedures

Explore best methods to tend to your scar on your road to recovery...


Face Lift Information

The Deep-Plane Facelift
Soft tissue, skin and muscle are lifted vertically as one unit instead of as separate layers, for a natural, youthful rejuvenation. 

The Endoscopic Facelift 
This version relies on an endoscope for additional visualization and elevation of the skin. Instead of lifting everything as one unit, the SMAS layer and skin are lifted separately to resuspend the tissues and provide lasting correction. 

The Ponytail Facelift 
This less-invasive facelift requires smaller incisions behind the ears and into the hairline to minimally lift the upper face. 

The Mini-Facelift
Is the best option for all patients for their lower face.

Add Ons:

Midface Lift
A face lift doesn’t fully lift the mid face or cheek.

Neck Lift
This further lifts the neck.

Fat Grafting
Not everyone needs fat transfer, but those who do will get a more natural result. 

Botox
Browlift Injecting neurotoxin precisely above the brow can give some lift and open up the eyes. 

Chin Augmentation
Usually this is done with injectables nowadays and not a chin implant.

Lip Lifts
This shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip, which lengthens with age.

Blepharoplasty 
Removing the extra skin above and underneath the eyes gives a more awake and complete look. 

Lasers 
Surgery alone doesn’t improve the texture or quality of the skin, which is why a laser treatment may also be recommended

Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for a natural face lift or mini face lift:

  • a deep line, or fold, running from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth
  • jowls, or loss of a well-defined jaw line associated with youthfulness.
  • deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging of the "highlight" areas of the cheekbones
  • loose skin, wrinkles, vertical "cords" or excess fatty tissue in the neck

A natural face lift or mini face lift can improve all of these problems. It cannot, however, correct conditions such as sagging eyebrows, excess skin and fatty deposits in the upper and lower eyelids, or wrinkles around the mouth. Dr. Speron can provide further face lift information if you have an interest in other procedures to treat these areas. Please read the rest of our face lift information. We would also be happy to mail you some more face lift information if you would email us your information.

Weekend Face Lift Surgery

(Also known as mini face lift or short scar face lift or weekend face lift

Your Personal Weekend Face Lift Surgery Consultation

During the initial mini face lift or weekend face lift consultation, Dr. Speron will ask you to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. Sometimes, patients may focus their attention on excess skin in the upper eyelids and not realize that sagging of their eyebrows contributes to this skin redundancy. You should be very frank in discussing anything about your appearance that bothers you, as well as what you hope to achieve with weekend face lift surgery. This will help Dr. Speron to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

In evaluating you for weekend face lift surgery, Dr. Speron will assess the thickness, texture and elasticity of your skin, and the severity of wrinkles and folds. Your hairline will be examined to determine where incisions can be discreetly placed. All of these factors, as well as your bone structure and underlying tissues, will be considered in developing an individual surgical plan.

Dr. Speron may discuss with you additional procedures that can be performed along with a weekend face lift in order to address all the concerns you have identified. For example, a weekend face lift is frequently combined with a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nasal reshaping or skin treatments such as a fotofacial, chemical peel, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

Dr. Speron has a tremendous amount of experience with face lift surgery in Chicago. It is one of the most common procedures he performs. He is able to offer all types of options to his patients:

  • he performs all the various S-scar face lift, mini face lift, mid face lift and neck lift approaches including minimally invasive and short-scar approaches
  • he does not typically use drains for face lift surgery
  • he offers the pain pump, if patients request it (his patients typically take narcotics for < 24 hours even without this)
  • all patients receive "nerve blocks" during surgery when they are asleep, which means the pain cycle is controlled from the very beginning

Dr. Speron is one of the leading face lift, short scar face lift, mini face lift and weekend face lift surgeons in the Chicago area and offers a wealth of expertise with all of these types of procedures.

Face Lift Surgery & Mid Face Lift Surgery

How Cosmetic Face Lift Surgery & Mid Face Lift Surgery is Performed

Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from a cosmetic surgery face lift. Dr. Speron will select the surgical technique that he feels will obtain the best face lift outcome for you.

Although there are many variations to the face lift and mid face lift procedures, generally an incision is hidden in the natural contour of your ear, then extends around the earlobe and back into the hairline. A short scar face lift does not have the incision behind your ear. The mid face lift usually also requires a small intraoral incision. Following face lift surgery and mid face lift surgery, incisions can be easily concealed by your hair or with makeup. There may also be a small incision hidden underneath your chin if a stronger neck lift is desired.

Most face lift incisions are placed within the hairline and within natural contours in front of and behind (shown in lighter black) the ear.

Sometimes the deeper tissues (grey shaded area) may also need to be repositioned in order to restore a more youthful contour to the face.

After the skin has been pulled up and back, the excess (grey shaded area) is removed.

Through the discreet face lift and mid face lift incisions, Dr. Speron is able to free the skin from the underlying tissues to the extent necessary for the particular surgical technique selected. After the skin has been pulled up and back, the excess is removed. In some instances, the deeper tissues may also need to be repositioned in order to restore a more youthful contour to your face. If necessary, a small incision beneath the chin permits the removal of fatty tissue in that area and smoothing of the cord-like structures of the underlying muscle in the neck (neck lift).

Dr. Speron has a tremendous amount of experience with face lift surgery in Chicago. It is one of the most common procedures he performs. He is able to offer all types of options to his patients:

  • he performs all the various S-scar face lift, mini face lift, mid face lift and neck lift approaches including minimally invasive and short-scar approaches
  • he does not typically use drains for face lift surgery
  • he offers the pain pump, if patients request it (his patients typically take narcotics for < 24 hours even without this)
  • all patients receive "nerve blocks" during surgery when they are asleep, which means the pain cycle is controlled from the very beginning

Dr. Speron is one of the leading face lift, short scar face lift, mini face lift and weekend face lift surgeons in the Chicago area and offers a wealth of expertise with all of these types of procedures.:

Understanding Rhytidectomy (Face Lift) Surgery Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from face lift surgery are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people undergo successful face lift surgery, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.

I understand that every Face Lift surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision?

The subject of risks and potential complications of face lift surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection and reactions to anesthesia. While plastic surgeons are trained in techniques for safely manipulating facial skin and tissue, injury to underlying structures is possible, though it is usually only temporary. Face lift incisions are most often inconspicuous, but this is not entirely predictable due to individual variations in healing.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after surgery.

Plastic Surgery Face Lift

Your Face Lift Surgical Experience

The goal of Dr. Speron and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. your surgeon will advise you and provide additional preoperative instructions. If your hair if very short, you may want to let it grow enough to cover your incisions while they heal. If you are overweight you have a realistic desire to lose more that 15 pounds, you should discuss this with your surgeon.

If your plastic surgery face lift will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery.

Your plastic surgery face lift may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the face lift surgical procedure. You and Dr. Speron will have decided in advance what type of anesthesia is to be used, either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulation in your blood.

When face lift surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. A bandage may have been wrapped around your face to be closely monitored. A bandage may have minimize swelling. Sometimes small tubes will have been inserted beneath the skin to drain away fluids that might otherwise accumulate, but you will not feel these at all. It fact, there is surprisingly little discomfort from the surgery.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.

After face lift surgery, you will be asked to restrict your activities and simply relax for a few days. Elevating your head when you sleep will help to minimize swelling and bruising. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications, and you should not smoke or be exposed to heavy secondary smoke for a while.

Any bandages and drain tubes will usually be removed in one or two days. At that time, you will notice puffiness and discoloration which may be more pronounced in some portions of your face than others. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry caused by this variance in swelling and bruising, which is perfectly normal. Generally, the greatest amount of swelling occurs 24 to 48 hours after surgery, but it may take several weeks before all puffiness is resolved. Most bruising will disappear within two weeks. After a few days, you will be permitted to wear makeup which will help conceal and discoloration. You will also experience some numbness in the facial area, which may be present for several weeks or longer. Your stitches will be removed from four to seven days after surgery.

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within two weeks and begin to exercise three to four weeks after plastic surgery face lift. You will be instructed to temporarily avoid exposure to direct sunlight and, for the long-term, to be conscientious about the use of a sunblock to protect your skin.

Results of Your Chicago Facelift Surgery

The results of your facelift may be dramatic or subtle, depending on how you look before surgery as well as the specific goals that you and your plastic surgeon have established. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks for an accurate picture of your "new look." Additional minor changes, or settling, may occur over several months.

Post Surgical Face Lift Care

The results of your facelift surgery can be maintained with the use of clinical skin care products. Dr. Speron recommends the neaclearplus Liquid Oxygen Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser, Rejuvenating Facial Toner , and Sun Block Protection to retain the results of your facelift procedure. Each product is fortified with liquid oxygen, the most powerful ingredient in anti-aging.

neaclearplus Liquid Oxygen Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser:

  • Cleanses the skin with the power of essential vitamins and oxygen
  • Clears delicate facial skin of toxic environmental impurities
  • Maintains youthful appearance of the skin after facial surgery

neaclearplus Liquid Oxygen Rejuvenating Facial Toner:

  • Promotes healing and wellness of delicate facial skin
  • Tightens the skin, maintaining post-surgical results
  • Removes every trace of dirt while leaving the skin soft and smooth

neaclearplus Liquid Oxygen Sun Block Protectionr:

  • Prevents sun damage and the increase of fine lines on the face
  • Protects against harmful UV rays that cause skin cancer
  • Smoothes the skin to maintain youthful post-surgical results

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Chicago FaceLift Plastic Surgeon

You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Your surgeon will encourage you to schedule routine follow-up evaluations at the frequency recommended for your age group and the procedure performed.

Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.

Most people who have facelifts are in their 40s to 60, which is when facial aging becomes more apparent. Deeper wrinkles and sagging skin comes around as the skin's collagen production drops as the years go by.

The ponytail lift is a minimally-invasive technique that avoids the typical facelift incisions and hides them in the hairline. It tightens a patient's face by pulling the brows, forehead, and cheeks upward. However, because no skin is removed during the process, people who choose a ponytail lift rather than a regular facelift are those who want to see smaller improvements, rather than the more dramatic improvement as seen with a facelift.

It is less invasive compared to a traditional facelift with all the scars. But a mini or S scar facelift actually has quicker recovery than a ponytail facelift. This is especially true for the postoperative swelling seen with a ponytail facelift.

The results of this surgery are temporary as facial aging will continue but you can expect them to last for 5 to 7 years at best.

With a mini facelift I tell my patients it's usually 7-15 years. I don't think it's any different than a traditional facelift. Patients are not waiting till her 80s to get a facelift. Most patients start in their 30s and 40s.



Most surgeons will lift the muscle or SMAS in 1 direction. I have evolved my technique over the years to lift it in 3 separate directions, which results in much more powerful lift, as well as a more natural look. The 3 vectors are determined the day of surgery, depending on what priorities the patient has in terms of jowls, jawline, neck etc. Even though this improves the midface about 30% and the neck, further work can be done with a midface or cheek lift, as well as additional work to the neck, depending on the patient's examination and their expectations.

There are four different options to improve a neck. Depending on how much extra skin you have, fat, and how lax your muscles are these options will be discussed during your private consultation. First option is just liposuction. Second option is a mini neck lift through a small scar in the submental crease. This pulls the neck medially or inward. Next option is a mini lateral neck lift, which has two small scars, and pulls the neck laterally or out to the side. Finally, the last two options are a T or Z neck lift, where the submental skin excess is removed and a full neck lift, which includes the T or Z scar as well as a vertical scar all the way down to the sternal notch. This last option is the most aggressive, but has the most scarring.

In a lower blepharoplasty, typically a canthopexy is done at the same time to tighten the loose orbicularis muscle and give a more natural look while diminishing ectropion or lateral scleral show.

A Midface or cheek lift is done through the same incision as a lower blepharoplasty with the addition of a small incision in the hairline. The muscle is lifted in two directions, one with the lower blepharoplasty and canthopexy, and secondly, in a different vector superiorly to lift the mid face or cheek. Most people lift this laterally, but I have changed my approach, because that did not look as natural and it was not as powerful a lift. The midface or cheek ages and descends downward. Please remember that with a mid face or cheek lift, you are also getting a lower blepharoplasty at the same time. It is included and not a separate procedure.

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Critical-Questions

By Dr. SAM SPERON

When I first published The 7 Critical Questions to Ask Before Letting Any Surgeon Touch You, I had no idea that it would be so popularly received. Since its publication, this brief guide has helped thousands like you to more safely navigate the world of cosmetic surgery. The 7 Questions have been updated and a bonus section, Applying the 7 Questions, has just been added. Be my guest to read, learn and share.