Facial Cosmetic Procedures at UChicago Medicine

• Droopy upper lids that make eyes look heavy
• Sagging or droopy skin that blocks vision
• Puffy bags under the eyes
• Skin around the eyes looks loose or crepey
• A desire to look refreshed without looking surgically altered

Upper Eyelids

• The surgeon removes extra skin.
• Small pockets of fat are reshaped or removed.
• Incisions are hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid.

Lower Eyelids

• Under-eye fat is reduced or redistributed to smooth hollow areas.
• The skin at the natural groove where the lower eyelid meets the cheek is tightened and smoothed.
• Incisions are placed inside the eyelid or just under the lashes to help hide scars.

Brow Lift

• A brow lift raises the eyebrows and smooths the forehead to reduce deep furrows and a "heavy" expression caused by aging. It addresses the natural descent of the brows that occurs with age or anatomy.

• Brows sit lower than they used to
• A constant “tired,” “angry,” or “worried” expression
• Heavy upper lids that aren’t caused by excess eyelid skin alone
• Deep lines or furrows appear on the forehead

Each technique is chosen based on anatomy, goals, and what looks the most natural.

• Endoscopic Brow Lift: This minimally invasive procedure uses a small camera and tiny incisions hidden in the hairline to gently lift the brow.
• Coronal Brow Lift: This involves a longer incision across the scalp for significant lifting needs.
• Hairline Brow Lift (Pretrichial Lift): The incision is placed right at the hairline to lower a high forehead or to reduce hairline movement.
• Direct Brow Lift: An incision is made just above the brow to treat specific reconstructive needs. This approach is typically done on men or for specific reconstructive cases.

• A weak or recessed chin
• Desire for a stronger jawline or more balanced profile
• Enhance and balance the results of nose surgery (rhinoplasty)
• Better facial symmetry
• Improve neck definition

• A small incision is made inside the lower lip or under the chin
• A custom silicone implant is placed on the chin bone
• The implant is fixed in place to prevent shifting

This procedure can be combined with neck liposuction, jawline contouring or rhinoplasty.

• Jowls along the jawline
• Loose skin in the lower face
• Deep smile lines (nasolabial folds) form around the mouth
• Neck skin looks loose or has banding
• Restore a youthful contour

• Incisions are hidden around the ears, and sometimes the chin, hidden in natural creases
• The deeper layer of facial tissue (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System or SMAS) is lifted and tightened
• Excess skin is gently trimmed without stretching the face
• Neck muscles and fat can also be treated at the same time

• Cheeks look hollow or sunken
• Dark circles or grooves appear under the eyes
• Temples look thin or indented
• Marionette lines and smile-line softening
• Overall facial volume loss with aging
• Desire for a natural looking, long-lasting option instead of synthetic fillers

• Fat is gently taken from the abdomen or thighs using liposuction.
• The fat is cleaned and prepared for transfer.
• The fat is carefully layered into the face to create smooth, natural contours.

• Desire for more full lips without fillers
• Lips that roll inward or look thin with age
• A more balanced and youthful smile
• Drooping corners of the mouth (depending on technique)

• A small incision is made at the base of the nose
• A small strip of skin is removed
• The lip is lifted and secured in a higher position

• Loose or sagging neck skin (“turkey neck”)
• Vertical bands form on the neck
• Excess fat under the chin or along the jawline
• Undefined jaw contour
• Fat deposits under the chin persist despite weight loss

• Small incisions are placed around the ears or under the chin
• The neck muscles (platysma) are tightened or stitched together
• Excess fat is removed or repositioned
• Loose skin is trimmed away

A neck lift is often paired with a facelift for complete lower-face rejuvenation.

• Double chin or fullness under the jaw
• Lack of definition between the chin and neck
• Desire for a slimmer, more contoured profile

• Small, discreet incisions are hidden under the chin or behind ears
• A thin tube (cannula) gently removes excess fat
• The skin retracts to reveal a smoother contour

Neck liposuction is often combined with a facelift, chin augmentation or skin tightening techniques to achieve a smoother, more defined result.

• Droopy upper lids that make eyes look heavy
• Sagging or droopy skin that blocks vision
• Puffy bags under the eyes
• Skin around the eyes looks loose or crepey
• A desire to look refreshed without looking surgically altered

Upper Eyelids

• The surgeon removes extra skin.
• Small pockets of fat are reshaped or removed.
• Incisions are hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid.

Lower Eyelids

• Under-eye fat is reduced or redistributed to smooth hollow areas.
• The skin at the natural groove where the lower eyelid meets the cheek is tightened and smoothed.
• Incisions are placed inside the eyelid or just under the lashes to help hide scars.

Brow Lift

• A brow lift raises the eyebrows and smooths the forehead to reduce deep furrows and a "heavy" expression caused by aging. It addresses the natural descent of the brows that occurs with age or anatomy.

• Ears stick out or protrude from the head
• Ears are uneven or asymmetrical
• Correct ear deformities from birth or injury

• Incisions are hidden behind the ear
• Cartilage reshaped, folded or secured with sutures
• Stitches secure the ear in a natural position closer to the head

Otoplasty can be performed on adults and children (often ≥5–6 years old.)

• Desire to reshape the nose (reduce hump, narrow bridge, refine tip, adjust nostrils)
• The nose is crooked or asymmetrical
• Improve nasal breathing (septum or internal structures)
• Fix congenital deformities or trauma-related changes
• Combine cosmetic goals with functional improvement

• Open Rhinoplasty: A small incision is made on the skin between the nostrils for full visibility.
• Closed Rhinoplasty: All incisions are made inside the nostrils to avoid visible scarring.
• Structural Repair: Bone and cartilage are reshaped to improve both looks and breathing.
• Septum Correction: The internal wall of the nose is straightened to help airflow.

Yes, we offer revision rhinoplasty. Revision rhinoplasty corrects issues resulting from a previous nose surgery. This procedure is more complex than a primary rhinoplasty because the nose has scar tissue and altered anatomy. Often, the cartilage needed for structural support was removed during the first operation.

Our surgeons use advanced reconstructive techniques to rebuild the nasal framework safely. This improves both the shape of the nose and your ability to breathe.