Surgical Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Full surgical facelift performed by Dr. Michael Epstein, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of facial surgery experience. The procedure addresses mid-face descent, jowl formation, and neck laxity through SMAS repositioning and excess skin removal. Incisions are placed in the hairline and behind the ears. Surgery takes approximately two hours under monitored sedation with a board-certified anesthesiologist, with overnight observation recommended and a two-week recovery timeline.

The facelift program at Concierge Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery Chicago is led by Dr. Michael Epstein, a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed facial rejuvenation procedures for more than three decades. The surgical rhytidectomy addresses the structural causes of facial aging rather than surface-level changes alone. The technique involves repositioning the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer — the fibromuscular network underlying the skin — to restore natural anatomical position and create a refreshed, non-pulled result. Excess skin is then precisely trimmed and closed with incisions positioned along the hairline, in front of and behind the ears, and into the lower scalp where they heal with minimal visibility. The procedure is performed under monitored anesthesia care provided by a separate board-certified anesthesiologist and typically takes approximately two hours from incision to close. Patients are advised that overnight observation is recommended following surgery. Post-operative bruising and swelling are expected to subside substantially within two weeks, which aligns with the typical return-to-work timeline for most patients. Dr. Epstein's practice in Chicago's Gold Coast caters to patients from across the Chicago metropolitan area — including Lincoln Park, River North, Winnetka, Hinsdale, and the wider North Shore and western suburbs — who prefer a boutique surgical environment over a large hospital system. The practice also offers adjunct non-surgical skin tightening procedures that can complement surgical results. VIP membership provides a $1,000 discount on any surgical procedure for active members, and GreenSky and CareCredit financing options are available for surgical planning.