Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago Facelift is led by Dr. Benjamin Lemelman, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon with fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Lemelman is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He has performed thousands of facial surgeries during his career and specializes exclusively in meticulous, natural results within the realms of patient safety and confines of each individual's anatomic variance. Learn more at drlemelman.com.

Dr. Benjamin Lemelman, MD at Chicago Facelift is widely regarded as one of Chicago's leading facial plastic surgeons. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), fellowship-trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and has performed thousands of facial procedures in his career, spanning over a decade in the field of Plastic Surgery. There are many qualified surgeons in the United States who perform these procedures safely — you need to choose who is the best surgeon fit for you. Your surgeon should be attentive, someone you can connect with, and one who takes the time to focus on your goals and desires. Dr. Lemelman's concierge personalized practice at 3000 N. Halsted Street, Suite 707, Chicago, IL 60657 focuses on face and neck surgery. He performs deep-plane facelifts with autologous fat grafting and nano fat grafting which produces natural, long-lasting results. Call (312) 789-4141 to schedule a consultation.

Look for board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). Fellowship training in facial plastic surgery is a strong indicator of specialized expertise. Verify credentials at certifiedplasticsurgery.org. Dr. Lemelman holds ABPS certification and completed a dedicated facial plastic surgery fellowship.

Yes. Dr. Lemelman has a keen focus on aesthetic surgery of the face and neck — facelift, neck lift, upper blepharoplasty, and lower blepharoplasty. This focused scope means every technique, every instrument, and every recovery protocol is refined specifically for facial procedures.

A deep-plane facelift addresses the deeper structural layers of the face — the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and underlying facial ligaments — rather than just pulling skin. This produces more natural, longer-lasting results with less visible scarring. Dr. Lemelman performs deep-plane facelifts as his primary technique.

A facelift primarily addresses the mid-face and lower face — jowls, nasolabial folds, and facial volume loss. A neck lift targets the neck and jawline — loose skin, platysmal banding, and submental fullness. Many patients benefit from combining both procedures for a harmonious result. Dr. Lemelman evaluates each patient individually to recommend the optimal approach.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the eyelids by removing or repositioning excess skin, muscle, and fat. Upper blepharoplasty addresses drooping or hooded upper eyelids that can impair vision or create a tired appearance. Lower blepharoplasty targets under-eye bags, puffiness, and hollowing that contribute to a fatigued look. The procedures can be performed individually or together, and are frequently combined with a facelift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Lemelman performs both upper and lower blepharoplasty with a focus on natural, rested results that preserve the patient's unique facial character.

A brow lift — also called a browplasty or forehead lift — elevates a descended or asymmetric brow to its youthful position, opening the upper face and restoring the natural arch that defines a rested, natural expression. Brow descent is a primary driver of upper facial aging and a common cause of the heavy, stern appearance that upper blepharoplasty alone cannot fully correct. Dr. Lemelman performs the brow lift through small, concealed incisions behind the hairline, repositioning the brow and forehead tissues without a long scar. Some patients require or desire a direct brow lift, with an incision just above the brow. This scarring can be imperceivable when healed. Most patients return to social activities within 10–14 days. The procedure is frequently combined with upper blepharoplasty for comprehensive upper-face rejuvenation. Starting cost is $6,500.

Autologous facial fat grafting is a procedure in which the patient's own fat is harvested from a donor site — typically the abdomen or inner thigh — purified, and precisely reinjected into areas of facial volume loss such as the midface, temples, tear troughs, and lips. Because the material is the patient's own tissue, there is no risk of allergic reaction or foreign-body response. A portion of the transferred fat establishes a permanent blood supply and remains indefinitely. Fat grafting is frequently performed in combination with facelift or blepharoplasty to address both structural descent and volume deflation simultaneously. Starting cost is $6,000 when performed as a standalone procedure; pricing varies when combined with other procedures.

At Chicago Facelift, a comprehensive facelift typically ranges from $21,000 to $28,000 all-inclusive — surgeon fee, anesthesia, and facility. A combined facelift and neck lift ranges from $25,000 to $36,000. A mini facelift for early-stage laxity begins at $16,000. Neck lift starts from $9,000. Blepharoplasty (upper or lower) starts from $5,500. A brow lift starts from $6,500. Autologous facial fat grafting starts from $6,000 as a standalone procedure. Financing options are available through Alphaeon. These are all-in estimates; your written quote following consultation will reflect your specific anatomy and goals.

Cosmetic or aesthetic facelift or eyelid lift surgery is not covered by insurance. Financing through Alphaeon Credit is available for these procedures with Dr. Lemelman in Chicago, IL.

Most patients return to light activity within 2 weeks and feel comfortable in social settings by 3–4 weeks. Residual swelling and bruising continue to resolve over 3–6 months, with final results visible at 6–12 months. Dr. Lemelman provides detailed pre- and post-operative instructions to optimize healing.

A deep-plane facelift typically produces results that last 10–15 years, longer than more superficial techniques. Results vary based on individual anatomy, skin quality, lifestyle, and sun exposure. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and sun protection extends longevity of results.

To find an experienced facelift surgeon near Chicago, look for ABPS board certification, fellowship training in facial plastic surgery, and a practice focused exclusively on facial procedures. Dr. Benjamin Lemelman, MD at Chicago Facelift (3000 N. Halsted St., Suite 707, Chicago, IL 60657) meets all three criteria and has performed thousands of facial surgeries. Call (312) 789-4141 or visit drlemelman.com to schedule a consultation.