Hello, and welcome to
my
practice! I'm Dr. Stefan Mark
Szczerba (pronounced
Sher-ba).
I am a board
certified
Chicago plastic
surgeon with fellowship
training in cosmetic plastic surgery. This level of
training represents 9 years of training after medical school and is matched by only by a handful of plastic surgeons in the Chicagoland area. I have three offices in the
Chicago
area where we offer
both cosmetic and
plastic
surgery treatments
as well
as aesthetician
services
and non-invasive
procedures such as
Botox,
dermal fillers
and skin
resurfacing
treatments.
You can find everything
you
need for your
personal image
transformation
at one
of my conveniently
located offices in
and
around
Chicago.
I look
forward to
meeting
with you to
discuss your
makeover
desires.
10400 W. Higgins Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 853-9900
1786 Moon Lake Boulevard, #205
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
(847) 885-1200
900 N. Kingsbury Street, Suite 130-N
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 286-1642
3226 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-1800
FACE LIFT
INTRODUCTION TO THE FACE LIFT
A face lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed to reposition the layers of the facial area including muscles, the layer of tissue called the SMAS that surrounds the muscles and obviously the skin, in both men and women who are experiencing signs of facial aging. The goal is to restore a more youthful appearance of the facial skin and the facial structures while maintaining the natural look of 10 to 15 years prior.
As a result of his extensive training in face lift techniques both at Emory University and at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattan, Dr. Stefan Mark Szczerba’s face lift procedures are based upon proven techniques rather than “the newest thing” on TV and in ads. He takes no shortcuts in his procedures and offers both minor and total makeover approaches to the face. Since a face lift is a very complex procedure, the plan for each patient needs to be individually tailored to each patient, working with Dr. Szczerba, to match the goals that the patient has to the facial structure and aging changes each patient’s face presents.
For the outcome to be natural and the scars to be practically imperceptible, it requires the skill of an expert plastic surgeon, like Dr. Szczerba, because, unlike other parts of the body, your face is there for all to see.
At your consultation, Dr. Szczerba will use computer imaging to help you see the potential results of your face lift procedure.
GOOD CANDIDATES FOR A FACE LIFT
Healthy men and women experiencing signs of facial and neck aging who can no longer achieve their desired youthful appearance with Botox®, peels, laser treatments and/or fillers are ideal candidates for a face lift. Chicago, Hoffman Estates and Rosemont are three locations in which face lift procedures are performed by Dr. Szczerba.
Every patient is different and will have unique aging changes. Generally, patients who are around 45 to 50 years old usually consider a "mini" face lift with very short and well-hidden scars.
After the age of 45, when there are usually more aging changes, a more advanced approach to your face lift may be required. Some patients have aging changes in their neck in combination with aging changes of their face, and a neck lift may be added to achieve the desired outcome. This combination can be done at any age in which there is neck drooping along with facial sagging. Other patients will have changes in the eyelid, cheek and brow area and that may also be addressed at the time of face lift surgery. Total facial rejuvenation includes eye lift, brow lift, a cheek lift along with the face lift and neck lift, and frequently requires fat grafting for volume and skin resurfacing. Dr. Szczerba will tailor your face lift procedure to your needs. Prior to surgery, through the use of computer imaging, he can show you images of your face both before and after the procedure, to help you understand the anticipated results.
At your consultation at Dr. Szczerba’s plastic surgery in Chicago, Hoffman Estates or Rosemont, you and Dr. Szczerba will thoroughly discuss all the recommended options and will decide, together, which procedures will create a natural and long-lasting result.
HOW A FACE LIFT IS PERFORMED
Dr. Szczerba performs a signature procedure called the MACS Lift. The MACS lift tightens the SMAS layer (the layer of the face that envelops the facial muscles) without cutting and removing the SMAS. Instead, the SMAS layer is carefully imbricated to preserve the fullness of youth and only a "short scar" is needed to accommodate the extra skin. When there is significant skin that needs to be trimmed to create a natural outcome, the incisions can be carefully extended into planned locations to hide the scars.
The MACS lift has several additional benefits compared with more traditional face lifting procedures:
- The MACS lift elevates the face in a vertical direction. This results in a much more youthful appearance than does a face lift that focuses on pulling the tissue and skin back toward the ears.
- The MACS face lift can be performed under local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, though general anesthesia is certainly available if you prefer it.
- Recovery time is faster with a MACS lift compared with traditional face lifts.
- There is virtually no scar behind the ear.
- The MACS lift results in a very youthful cheek appearance.
- The MACS lift maintains facial fullness, which is a hallmark of a young face.
The difference between the MACS lift and the long-scar face lift:
The MACS lift is most appropriate for patients with little neck sagging, who are experiencing primarily a flattened face due to the falling of the cheek area. In a MACS lift, the incision is placed front of the ear and into the hairline rather than behind the ears (see diagram).
The long scar face lift is appropriate for those with sagging that extends into the neck area. This procedure is called a “long scar” face lift because the incisions are placed both in front of and behind the ear to accommodate the lifting of the neck area. For further information on the neck lift procedure, please see Neck Lift.
Depending on the amount of fullness you require to create a more youthful appearance, Dr. Szczerba may recommend injecting your own fat to certain parts of your cheek and face. By harvesting and transferring your own fat to areas that need more fullness, you are transferring your body’s own stem cells within the fat that are now well known to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin itself!
RECOVERY FROM A FACE LIFT
Most patients recover fairly rapidly from Dr. Szczerba’s face lift procedures. You will wish to take time from work and social activities for approximately one to two weeks because all patients inevitably have some bruising and swelling with any facial procedure. Depending on the technique used, you may have a drain inserted to remove excess fluid; this is generally removed in a day or two.
Our patients are instructed to wear a neck support to help contour the neck, if neck rejuvenation has been performed with the face lift.
The improvements from face lift and neck lift surgery generally last ten to fifteen years. However you will always look much younger than if you decided not to do surgery! Combined with a careful diet and exercise and avoiding the known things that damage your skin such as the sun, alcohol, and smoking, you can lengthen the effects.
