FACESURGICAL
Facelift in Delafield
Facial tissue repositioned for a firmer jawline and midface
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that repositions sagging facial tissues to reduce visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck. The surgery addresses jowls, deep nasolabial folds, loose skin along the jawline, and platysmal bands in the neck by lifting and tightening the underlying muscular layer (SMAS) and removing excess skin. Dr. Lucas Boehm performs deep plane facelifts at Consona in Delafield, Wisconsin.
At a Glance
- Approximately 77,933 facelift procedures were performed in the United States in 2025, a 13% increase over the prior year[4]
- Facelift surgery has an overall complication rate of approximately 1.8%, comparable to other cosmetic surgical procedures[7]
- Patient satisfaction studies report approximately 97% of patients describing facial improvement as very good or beyond expectations at one year[8]
- Hematoma is the most common complication, occurring in approximately 1% of cases, with most presenting within the first 24 hours[7]
Before & after
Real faces, real results.
Before & after
Face & Neck Lift
Before & after
Face & Neck Lift
Before & after
Face & Neck Lift
Individual results vary. Photos shown with patient consent.
Overview
Rhytidectomy is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures. An estimated 77,933 facelifts took place across the country in 2025. The surgery addresses tissue laxity caused by age, gravity, and sun exposure across the mid and lower face, jawline, and neck.
Facelift techniques include SMAS plication, SMAS imbrication, extended SMAS, and the deep plane facelift. Dr. Boehm performs the deep plane approach. It releases the retaining ligaments that tether the midface, then repositions the facial soft tissue and the underlying SMAS layer together as one unit. This differs from lifting the skin and suspending the muscle layer separately.
With the lift supported by deeper tissue, tension does not land at the skin surface, where it can produce a pulled appearance. This permits repositioning of the midface and jawline without relying on tightened skin to hold the result.
Facelift results are long-lasting, but surgery does not stop the aging process. Research indicates that approximately 97% of patients report very good or better improvement at one year. The face continues to age naturally, and some patients choose a secondary procedure years later.
What to expect
- Consultation to discuss goals, review medical history, and develop a surgical plan
- Pre-operative evaluation including physical examination and any necessary laboratory tests
- Administration of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia
- Incisions placed along the hairline, around the ear, and potentially under the chin
- Elevation and separation of the skin from the underlying SMAS layer
- Repositioning and tightening of the SMAS and deeper facial tissues
- Sculpting or redistribution of facial fat as needed
- Redraping and trimming of excess skin
- Closure of incisions with sutures and possible placement of temporary drains
- Application of dressings and a supportive facial wrap
How a facelift works
- The incision typically begins in the hairline at the temple, continues around the front of the ear, and passes behind the earlobe into the lower scalp. A small incision beneath the chin may be added when the neck is addressed.
- In the general facelift sequence, the skin is separated from the underlying tissues and the SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is identified and repositioned. Depending on the technique, the SMAS may be plicated, imbricated, or elevated as a composite flap with the overlying skin.
- Excess or displaced fat in the face, jowls, and neck may be sculpted, redistributed, or removed to restore facial contours. The skin is then redraped over the repositioned tissues, excess skin is trimmed, and the incisions are closed with sutures. Temporary drainage tubes may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation.
- For the deep plane technique Dr. Boehm performs, dissection continues beneath the SMAS rather than stopping above it. The zygomatic and masseteric attachments, which tether the midface, are released directly. The skin and SMAS are advanced together as a single composite flap instead of being lifted and tightened as separate layers.
- Because the composite flap moves as one unit and the skin is not separately undermined, deep tissue holds the repositioning and the incision line is closed under comparatively little tension. This is the principal difference between the deep plane approach and the plication and imbrication techniques.
When it's recommended
- Sagging skin and tissue laxity in the mid and lower face
- Jowling along the jawline
- Deep nasolabial folds (creases from nose to mouth corners)
- Loss of definition along the jawline and chin
- Platysmal bands and loose skin in the neck
- Volume redistribution and descent of facial fat pads
- Mild to moderate skin laxity in patients seeking facial rejuvenation
Is a facelift right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Recovery & aftercare
- Dressings and drains are typically removed within 1 to 2 days after surgery
- Sutures are removed in approximately 5 to 10 days depending on location
- Bruising and swelling are expected and typically peak at 2 to 3 days, then gradually subside over 2 to 3 weeks
- Most patients can return to non-strenuous work within 2 weeks
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks
- Numbness around the incision sites is common and typically resolves over several months
- Final results continue to improve as swelling resolves over 3 to 6 months
Alternatives
- Non-surgical skin tightening procedures (radiofrequency, ultrasound-based treatments)
- Injectable fillers to restore facial volume
- Thread lift for mild skin laxity
- Botox for dynamic wrinkles
- Laser skin resurfacing for surface texture improvement
- Neck lift as a standalone procedure for neck-specific concerns
- Mini facelift for patients with mild to moderate aging
How much does a facelift cost?
A facelift at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $20,000. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Dr. Lucas Boehm performs the surgery. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the only surgeon at Consona. He completed plastic surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, followed by an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville. His fifteen peer-reviewed papers appear in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery. The physician who assesses your face at consultation also performs your surgery and sees you at follow-up. Documented face and neck lift cases are available in the surgical gallery for patients who want to evaluate his aesthetic directly.
- A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is surgery that lifts and tightens sagging facial tissues to reduce visible signs of aging. It addresses jowls, deep creases, loose skin along the jawline, and neck laxity by repositioning deeper tissue layers and removing excess skin.
- Yes. The deep plane facelift is the technique Dr. Boehm performs and the focus of his facial surgery work. Rather than lifting the skin and tightening the SMAS separately, this approach releases the ligaments holding the midface down and moves the skin, fat, and muscle as one unit. The tension is carried by deeper tissue rather than by the skin. Whether this approach is appropriate depends on your anatomy and how your face has aged, which is assessed during consultation.
- Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, so you do not feel pain during the procedure. Most patients experience tightness, mild discomfort, and swelling afterward. Prescribed pain medication can manage the discomfort, which typically improves significantly within the first week.
- Facelift surgery has a well-established safety profile when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Studies involving over 11,000 patients report an overall complication rate of approximately 1.8%. As with any surgery, facelift surgery carries risks, and those risks are discussed during consultation.
- Facelift results are long-lasting and typically maintain noticeable improvement for 5 to 10 years or more. Aging continues after surgery, but most patients report looking younger than they would have without the procedure. Some choose a secondary facelift years later.
- Most patients return to non-strenuous activities in about 2 weeks. Bruising and swelling typically peak around days 2 to 3, then gradually subside over 2 to 3 weeks. Strenuous exercise is avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Final results become apparent as residual swelling resolves over 3 to 6 months.
- Facelift surgery may not be appropriate for someone who actively smokes, has uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, takes blood thinners without medical clearance, or has a condition that impairs wound healing. A thorough pre-operative evaluation helps determine whether the procedure is suitable for an individual patient.
- No. Facelift surgery at Consona is elective aesthetic surgery, so it is paid privately. The figure shown on this page is the ballpark cost for a deep plane face and neck lift. The total changes when neck work, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting is performed at the same time. Qualified borrowers can finance surgical procedures over 12 months at 0% interest.
Facelift risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active smoking or nicotine use (significantly increases risk of skin flap necrosis)
- Uncontrolled diabetes or conditions that impair wound healing
- Bleeding disorders or unmanaged anticoagulation therapy
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Active infection at the planned surgical site
- Connective tissue disorders that compromise healing
- History of keloid or hypertrophic scar formation
- Unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes
Possible risks
- Hematoma (the most common complication, occurring in approximately 1% of cases)
- Infection at the surgical site
- Temporary or permanent nerve injury affecting facial movement or sensation
- Skin flap necrosis, particularly in smokers
- Scarring, though incisions are placed to minimize visibility
- Asymmetry between the two sides of the face
- Hair loss near the incision lines (temporary or permanent)
- Unfavorable scarring including widened or hypertrophic scars
- Seroma (fluid accumulation beneath the skin)
- Need for revision surgery
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 9 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12