Facelift

Aging is unfortunately a fact of life and the face and neck can be constant reminders. Skin type, heredity, sun exposure and lifestyle can also affect facial appearance. You may be concerned about looking old or tired, or perhaps you are expressing emotions on your face that do not match your true feelings.  

To restore and rejuvenate a more youthful appearance, a facelift may be performed to combat deep wrinkles, sagging jowls, loose skin or fatty deposits beneath the skin, bends in the neck or droopy eyelids.

• A full facelift may combine multiple procedures, such as forehead lift, eyelid surgery, mid facelift or lower facelift
• A mid facelift, or cheek lift, rejuvenates the face from the corners of the eyes to the sides of the mouth, lifting sagging muscle and skin that may have fallen as a result of aging
• A lower facelift combats deep lower wrinkles and sagging jowls and neck, repositioning underlying tissues and muscle, removing fatty deposits and tightening skin

What to expect

At your first visit, you will meet with the surgeon of your choice to discuss your concerns and to find out which procedures are most appropriate to include in your facelift. You will leave the consultation with a full understanding of what to expect with your customized plan, realistic expectations of outcomes, payment options and more, so that you can make the most informed decision for you.  

• You may be given general anesthesia, causing you to sleep during the procedure, or local anesthesia with sedation to numb and relax you
• Your hair may be parted in a way that will allow the incision marks to be as inconspicuous as possible. Typically, a single incision is made at the hair line and around the ear to tighten and re-suspend, or re-shape, the soft tissue in the face. An incision may also be made on the underside of the chin
• After the soft tissue has been re-suspended, or re-shaped, excess skin is then stretched and removed
• Bandages and possible drainage tubes are removed in a few days 
• Any non-absorbable sutures will be removed in seven to 10 days

As with any surgical procedure, pain, bruising and swelling may occur. Most patients can go back to work in one to two weeks following the procedure, and results will continue to be more evident within this time. 

Why you should choose Nebraska Medicine

You can rest assured that you are being taken care of by expert, board-certified Nebraska Medicine surgeons. Wes Heckman, MD, and Katie Geelan-Hansen, MD, are board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Their expertise focuses on surgery of the face, head, and neck. Both surgeons are recognized by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 

It is important to do your homework when considering cosmetic or reconstructive surgery to make an informed decision. Our well-trained surgeons will work on a customized approach to meeting your goals, with safety as a top priority. Schedule your consultation today by calling 402.559.5700.