When it comes to something as personal as your face, experience matters.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeons bring decades of skill and artistry to every facelift. Dr. David Janssen is trusted by patients from Green Bay, Oshkosh, Appleton and beyond for his ability to restore firmer contours that look natural and never obvious or overdone.
In our youth, our faces are typically V-shaped: the fat is elevated, the skin is tight, and the platysma muscles in the neck are one continuous sheet. But over time, tissues loosen, facial fat descends, and the neck muscles weaken and separate, contributing to an aged appearance.
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that repositions these underlying structures and removes excess skin to reduce the visible signs of aging and restore youthful contours.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, Dr. Janssen performs a modern evolution of the facelift, utilizing two highly refined techniques: the MACS lift (minimal access cranial suspension) and the LSD neck lift (lateral skin displacement).
Together, these advanced techniques allow for comprehensive rejuvenation with less trauma, a faster recovery and natural-looking results that age gracefully with you.
With a traditional facelift, your surgeon will make a longer incision at the hairline near the temples, which extends around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Through this incision, they may redistribute fat, reposition the underlying tissues and lift the deeper layers of the face and muscles. A second incision may also be placed under the chin to address signs of aging in the neck. Once the desired results have been achieved, your surgeon will re-drape the skin over your newly lifted contours, trim the excess away and close the incisions with sutures.
Developed in Belgium, the MACS lift achieves similar lifting power through a shorter incision that stops in front of the ear. Using two vertical suspension sutures anchored to the sturdy tendon and “gristle” tissue beneath the cheekbone, Dr. Janssen lifts the jowls and lower cheeks naturally upward. The first suture is durable and similar to heavy test fishing line, while the second is more rounded. This technique minimizes tension on the skin for natural-looking results. Because there is less separation of the skin from the underlying tissues, there is less swelling and a significantly lower risk of nerve damage.
For patients with loose neck skin or vertical bands, Dr. Janssen adds the LSD neck lift by extending the MACS incision. Using endoscopic visualization beneath the platysma muscle, he releases and repositions the muscle to eliminate banding and improve definition. Because the muscle is divided and resuspended, these results are both natural and long-lasting.
When evaluating their facial contours in the mirror, many patients instinctively lift their cheeks upward instead of pulling them back. The MACS lift mirrors that natural direction, placing sutures in the sturdy tendon and muscle beneath the cheekbone. These sutures vertically lift the jowls, nasolabial fold fat, and even the neck when needed, and allow excess skin to be trimmed without tension, restoring youthful balance without an overly tight appearance.
A short, zig-zag incision is placed in front of the sideburns on both sides of the face, following the natural hairline, going behind the tragus and ending just below the earlobes. This provides access to the deeper facial layers with less skin undermining, which reduces bleeding, swelling and the risk of nerve injury. Once healed, the scar is well-hidden and barely noticeable.
By coming in from the outer part of the platysma muscle and working beneath it, Dr. Janssen can directly address neck banding and muscle laxity without large incisions under the chin. This approach redefines the neck and jawline, delivering permanent, natural-looking results.
Because the underlying structures are repositioned and lifted vertically, not horizontally, Dr. Janssen’s facelift results look more natural and hold up better over time. Most patients enjoy improvement for 10–15 years or longer, depending on lifestyle and skin quality.
A facelift focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, targeting the cheeks, jawline and neck. It addresses visible signs of aging, such as:
Each face ages differently, so you may not need improvement in all of these areas. During your consultation, Dr. Janssen will assess your concerns and create a personalized surgical plan based on individual factors, such as your goals and facial anatomy.
If you want your outward appearance to better match your inner vitality, a facelift with Dr. Janssen can dramatically reduce the visible signs of aging. While nonsurgical rejuvenation can help delay the need for a facelift, the profound improvements most patients are seeking can only be achieved surgically. Ideal candidates for this transformative procedure are:
The best candidates are typically in their 40s to 70s, though your concerns and skin quality matter more than your specific age. You should be emotionally prepared for the recovery process and committed to following all pre- and post-op instructions for optimal results.
Every facelift begins with a detailed consultation, where Dr. Janssen will evaluate your needs, discuss your aesthetic goals and review your medical history to ensure you’re a candidate for surgery. You’ll also receive detailed information about the procedure and have an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. We offer both in-person consultations at our Oshkosh and Appleton locations, plus virtual consultations for your convenience.
How you prepare for surgery plays an important role in your recovery and final results. Pre-op prep may include lab work to gain medical clearance, adjusting certain medications, and discontinuing the use of aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs or herbal supplements that can increase bleeding at least two weeks before surgery. Patients will also be asked to follow other guidelines, such as stopping smoking and limiting alcohol intake, to allow for proper healing.
Your facelift procedure may be performed at an accredited outpatient surgical facility or hospital. Since general anesthesia will be used, you’ll need to have someone to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours. The surgery itself lasts a few hours, but this can vary depending on the technique used. The MACS facelift takes about 2.5-3 hours, compared to 3.5-8 hours for traditional facelifts.
Dr. Janssen will begin by making a short, carefully planned incision starting in the fold in front of the ear, following the hairline to the sideburns in a zig-zag pattern. This placement makes it virtually invisible once healed. Through this incision, Dr. Janssen places two or three sutures in the deeper facial tissues to vertically lift sagging features. During this process, excess skin will appear on the lower eyelids and around the sideburns, which will be removed. Dr. Janssen then restores the earlobe to its original position and meticulously closes the incisions.
Each facelift is tailored to an individual’s unique needs and goals. Depending on your concerns, our skilled surgeons may recommend including other procedures in your surgical plan for more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face and neck. Many patients combine their facelift with a neck lift, brow lift or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to achieve beautiful, balanced results.
Immediately after surgery, you’ll have a protective bandage around your face to minimize bruising and swelling. These side effects peak around day three and gradually improve as healing progresses. You may also have small drainage tubes to remove excess fluid that collects under the skin.
Pain is generally manageable with prescribed medication. You’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions covering wound care, activity restrictions and when to follow up with our office. It is important that the incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the recovery process. We also recommend avoiding any clothing that goes over the head.
Most patients take one week off from work after surgery and can return to desk work in five to seven days, while more strenuous activities and exercise can be resumed after three weeks. “Social downtime” can last for 10 to 20 days as bruising and swelling continue to subside.
Your new, youthful contours will begin to develop as healing progresses. Your final results will appear in about four to six weeks and continue to improve over several months. During this time, incision lines will also begin to mature and fade until they’re barely noticeable. Following all post-op instructions closely, including those involving incision care, activity restrictions and sun exposure, will help ensure a smooth recovery and beautiful, long-term results.
A facelift won’t change your fundamental appearance or stop the natural aging process, but over the years, you will look younger than you would if you had not undergone this procedure. Additional procedures may be recommended to elevate and prolong your results, such as augmentation with fat grafting or fillers to restore facial fullness, and a brow lift or eyelid surgery.
Getting the most out of your investment means proper sun protection and a healthy lifestyle. Smoking, sun damage and stress can all accelerate the aging process, but good skincare habits can help you maintain a youthful appearance for years to come. Regular treatments at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery Medispa can also complement and prolong your surgical results. Some of our favorite procedures after a facelift include ProFractional laser resurfacing to improve skin tone and texture.
Before & Afters
Fox Valley Plastic Surgery is Wisconsin’s most advanced surgical facility, where enhanced safety protocols meet cutting-edge technology. We’ve served 50,000+ patients since opening over 30 years ago, and our approach continues to ensure that every aspect of your care receives the expert attention you deserve, from your first consultation to your final post-op follow-up.
Dr. Janssen combines decades of experience with a warm, patient-first approach. Board-certified and fellowship-trained in plastic surgery, he delivers beautiful results that are natural and balanced, enhancing your appearance without altering what makes you unique. Patients love his thoughtfulness and ability to make even complex surgeries feel manageable.
Dr. Janssen is especially known for his expertise with the MACS lift, a modern, less-invasive approach to facelift surgery that can refresh your appearance with subtlety and precision. By using shorter incisions and lifting the facial tissues vertically, he achieves natural-looking results that avoid the “pulled” or windswept appearance associated with older techniques.
“Dr. Janssen was amazing. Very honest and personable. He and his staff made me feel very comfortable throughout the whole process. Very quick response time on questions. Very knowledgeable in what they do. So glad I chose Fox Valley Plastic Surgery for my procedure!!”
— Katiejo S.
A traditional facelift uses longer incisions around the ear and sometimes under the chin to lift deeper facial layers, offering strong correction but with more downtime. The MACS lift uses a shorter incision in front of the ear and lifts tissues vertically with sutures, creating less tension on the skin and significantly reducing the risk of nerve injury and prolonged swelling. Both rejuvenate the lower face, but the MACS lift emphasizes subtlety and a smoother, more refreshed appearance.
While a facelift can’t stop the aging process entirely, most patients enjoy significant improvement for 10-15 years. Good skincare and sun protection can help maintain your results.
There is no “right age” for a facelift. That being said, most patients are between 40 and 70 years old, when the signs of aging start to become more noticeable and significant enough for surgery. Patients in their 30s may benefit more from nonsurgical treatments like dermal fillers, neurotoxins, chemical peels or advanced laser resurfacing.
The MACS lift is specifically designed to create natural-looking results. Rather than the “windswept” appearance that can come from traditional facelifts, the MACS lift enhances your natural beauty without altering your fundamental appearance. Our patients love their results, and people notice that they look more refreshed, but aren’t able to put their finger on why.
Most patients can begin wearing makeup again seven to 10 days after surgery, once initial healing has occurred. We’ll provide specific guidelines about which products to avoid initially and when it’s safe to resume your normal makeup and skincare routine.
A facelift is considered the gold standard for facial rejuvenation, providing comprehensive and long-lasting results. Nonsurgical treatments can help delay or reduce the signs of aging, but cannot adequately address significant skin laxity, jowling or volume loss. During your consultation, we’ll assess your concerns to determine which approach is right for you.
Like any surgical procedure, a facelift does involve some risks. Dr. Janssen will review these with you during your consultation to ensure that you fully understand the potential risks and complications so you can make an informed decision. The risks of facelift surgery may include:
The cost of facelift surgery can vary depending on your goals and the techniques used. Facility fees and the type of anesthesia also play a role. At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, our team will provide you with a personalized quote based on your surgical plan. Financing is available through CareCredit or Alphaeon, often with zero-interest promotional offers, and we offer discounts for multiple procedures: 15% off the surgeon’s fee for your second procedure and 30% off for the third. After your first surgery, the operating room fee is reduced by 50% for any additional procedures, and anesthesia costs are based only on time.
Ready to discover how a facelift can help you turn back the clock and restore your natural beauty? Contact Fox Valley Plastic Surgery at 920-233-1540 to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Janssen, or request an appointment through our online form.
