Facelift
Facial Restoration & Renewal
As people age, their skin may become less firm, and they may develop wrinkles, heavier facial features, and areas of hollowness. Together, these changes can significantly affect a person’s appearance. Dr. Sauerhammer performs facelift surgery for Appleton and Green Bay patients to reverse these signs of aging. She focuses on natural-looking rejuvenation of the mid and lower face. The procedure addresses lax skin, jowls, double chin, hollows, and other areas of need.
Patients rely on Dr. Sauerhammer for her skill and experience. She is the only fellowship-trained craniofacial plastic surgeon in northern Wisconsin. Previously, she was a member of the team that conducted the first full-face transplant in the United States. As a specialist with Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery, she brings advanced surgical techniques and a practiced eye for aesthetics to every procedure.
A facelift (or rhytidectomy) is a cosmetic surgery that lifts and tightens facial tissue to reduce signs of aging. Modern facelift surgery focuses on repositioning the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and deeper tissues rather than only tightening the skin. This approach produces results that look natural, last longer, and maintain soft, graceful movement.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Sauerhammer may recommend a deep plane facelift, a SMAS facelift, or a mini facelift for more subtle refinement.
A facelift targets:
A facelift is the most effective way to address significant signs of aging in the mid-face and neck. Surgery can resolve a variety of concerns and is highly personalized to each patient’s needs.
In a standard facelift, Dr. Sauerhammer will remove excess skin and reposition facial features in a higher, more youthful position. She will also contour areas of need, including the cheeks and neck.
The improvement from your facelift will last significantly longer than a non-surgical treatment. Your appearance should age at a normal rate, reflecting a younger physical state.
Your facelift procedure takes place in our private, AAAHC-certified surgical suite, offering tranquility and discretion. After anesthesia is administered, Dr. Sauerhammer creates careful incisions around the ears, sometimes extending into the hairline, to access the deeper tissues.
During the facelift surgery, she elevates and repositions the underlying facial muscles, deeper tissues, and SMAS layer before removing excess skin. This ensures both improved structure and natural movement. The incisions are then closed with meticulous technique to minimize visibility.
Each facelift is personalized to match your facial features, bone structure, degree of facial aging, and desired outcome.
A facelift targets:
Dr. Sauerhammer offers patients nearly 15 years of experience and specialization in rejuvenating procedures for the body, breasts, and face. Her practice also includes transgender confirmation, reconstructive procedures, and noninvasive cosmetic treatment. She is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
A facelift focuses on the midface, lower face, and jawline, and may extend to the neck. Many patients combine facelift surgery with eyelid surgery, or an eyelid lift, to address the upper face.
Some of the factors that can affect the price include:
We encourage you to come in for a consultation to discuss your goals, review your needs, and receive a personalized treatment plan.
Patients in Appleton and Green Bay choose Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery because of the skill, experience, and personal attention that our team provides. Learn what other people in our community have to say about our doctors and their treatment.
Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery provides Appleton and Green Bay patients with several treatment options for facial aging, including facelift and non-surgical injectables. You may be a candidate for facelift surgery if:
During your initial consultation, Dr. Sauerhammer will talk with you about what you would like to accomplish with treatment and will perform a comprehensive examination. Her approach is to provide the most conservative care that also achieves your goals. For most people, this means starting with non-surgical injectable treatment.
Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery offers the full line of Allergan® products — including JUVEDERM® VOLUMA®, VOLLURE™, VOLBELLA®, and ULTRA PLUS — as well as BOTOX®, Restylane®, and KYBELLA®. These injectable solutions can resolve fine lines and wrinkles, add fullness and firmness, and reduce the appearance of a double chin. The results range from months to years in duration. Once injectable treatments are no longer achieving your desired results, Dr. Sauerhammer will help you explore your options with a facelift.
Dr. Sauerhammer is committed to truly understanding your unique goals and devotes herself to providing high-quality, life-changing results for every patient, every time. If you are ready to learn more about how the Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery can help you achieve your ideal image, call our office today to request a consultation!
Dr. Sauerhammer performs facelift surgery under general anesthesia. Typically, Appleton and Green Bay patients will have two surgical drains in place afterward, which Dr. Sauerhammer will remove during a follow-up appointment the next day. After surgery, you will wear a facial compression dressing to help with swelling and bruising, which should subside after two weeks. Long-lasting local anesthesia will improve your comfort during your recovery.
Usually, facelift patients see an immediate reduction in signs of facial aging. Most describe the results as a “refreshed version” of themselves. Dr. Sauerhammer will place incisions in a way that the resulting scars will be well hidden, and these scars typically flatten and fade within one year.
Early results appear within several weeks, with more refined contours emerging over the next three to six months.
A surgical facelift often lasts 10–15 years, depending on genetics, lifestyle, and the aging process. Your results will continue to look natural as you age, thanks to deeper structural correction.
Patients choose our practice for the combination of elevated aesthetic services, a welcoming environment, and a surgeon known for her elegant, natural approach. Dr. Sauerhammer’s expertise in facial anatomy, facelift techniques, and deep plane surgery enables her to achieve balanced, refined outcomes tailored to each patient’s goals.
Our private, AAAHC-certified surgical suite ensures comfort, safety, and a beautifully supported experience from consultation to final result.
Options include deep plane facelift, SMAS facelift, and mini facelift. Dr. Sauerhammer will recommend the technique that matches your facial aging and desired results.
Discomfort is typically well-managed with medication. Most patients describe the feeling as tightness rather than sharp pain.
While temporary changes in sensation can occur, significant facial nerve injury is rare in the hands of an experienced facial plastic surgeon.
Incisions are placed discreetly around the ears and sometimes into the hairline. Once healed, they tend to be very subtle.
Yes. Common pairings include neck lift, eyelid surgery, facial fat grafting, and nonsurgical skin treatments.
No. Since facelift surgery is considered cosmetic, insurance does not cover the procedure.
At the Wisconsin Institute of Plastic Surgery, you can enjoy a range of cosmetic procedures and dedicated care in our offices in Appleton and Green Bay. As a double-board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sauerhammer specializes in rejuvenating surgical solutions, including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and facelifts, designed to help you look and feel your best. We seamlessly integrate all our plastic surgery services with skilled dermatology care and aesthetic specialists: Megan MacCarthy, PA-C, Colleen Van Egeren, PA-C, and Amanda Olsen, PA-C. They prioritize your goals through comprehensive evaluations and advanced techniques to help you achieve optimal and long-lasting results.
