The city of Chicago is a hotspot for cosmetic procedures of all types, everything from rhinoplasties to breast augmentations, but especially the face lifts. Some of the top cosmetic surgeons reside in Chicago, so whether you live here or not it is the ideal place to have your surgery performed.

Before you start the search for a facelift surgeon in Chicago, Illinois, there are a few things that need to be done. Here’s what you need to know about the process of undergoing a facelift, even before you go under the knife.

What is the purpose of a facelift?

A facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, is an invasive procedure that involves physically lifting the face (hence the name face lift). You might be wondering why this is necessary. Over the years, the skin on our body is affected by a number of things, including age, sun, smoking, and illness. Some people are more affected by these things than others.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your sagging facial skin, you could be a good candidate for a face lift. The purpose of having this procedure done is to life the sinking facial tissues and even make the skin appear smoother.

Is it dangerous?

A facelift is considered to be an invasive procedure, so there are definitely some risks involved. If complications do arise, patients could experience, scarring, bleeding, infection, or loss of sensation in the face. These things are unlikely to happen, especially if you invest time looking for a top-rated surgeon who has plenty of experience performing face lifts.

What will the surgeon actually be doing?

The steps involved in a face lift might sound scary, but millions of face lifts have been performed with success. The procedure requires a thin incision to be made from the temple winding to the back of the earlobe. This incision is made along the hairline so it won’t be noticed once you have undergone the healing phase.

After the incision has been made, the surgeon will remove any skin, fat, and tissue that shouldn’t be there. Then sutures will be added to hold the remaining tissues in place. The incision is then closed with more stitches and bandages are applied to the area. This is what’s called the full face lift, but there is also the option to have a mini lift. The mini lift is less invasive but still considered to be a serious cosmetic procedure.

How long is the recovery period?

This depends on each individual patient and their healing process, but generally speaking you should be fully recovered within 2 or 3 weeks. You’ll definitely experience some swelling and bruising within the first week, but your doctor will prescribe the proper medications to keep pain at a minimum. Ten days into the healing process you’ll be required to visit your surgeon for a follow-up. This is when he examines you to ensure that you are properly healing.

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