Chicago's First Hidden-Incision Deep Plane Facelift

The Stealth Lift™

A full deep plane face and neck lift — with no visible scars in front of your ears.

Wear your hair up. Pull it back. Live your life without a telltale sign. Developed by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jay Keni.

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The Problem

The #1 Fear About Facelifts
Isn't the Surgery — It's the Scars

You've thought about a facelift. Maybe for months. Maybe for years. But something holds you back: the idea of a visible scar running in front of your ear that announces to everyone what you've had done.


Traditional facelifts — even the most advanced deep plane techniques — require an incision that extends from the temple, down in front of the ear, and around the earlobe. Skilled surgeons can minimize these scars, but they're there. And for many patients, that's a dealbreaker.


What if it didn't have to be?

The Solution

Introducing The Stealth Lift™

The Stealth Lift™ is a next-generation deep plane facelift that eliminates the traditional preauricular (in front of the ear) incision entirely.


Instead, Dr. Keni approaches the mid-face and lower face through a small incision concealed within the temple hair, and addresses the neck through an incision hidden behind the ear. The result is a full deep plane repositioning of the face and neck — with scars that are virtually undetectable, even with your hair pulled back.

This is not a mini-lift. This is not a thread lift. This is not a skin-tightening device.
This is a true surgical facelift.
The Technique

How The Stealth Lift™ Works

Traditional Deep Plane Facelift

Incision runs from the temple → in front of the ear → around the earlobe → behind the ear

  • ✓ Deep plane repositioning
  • ✗ Visible preauricular scar
  • ✓ Addresses face and neck
  • ✓ Long-lasting results (10+ years)

The Stealth Lift™

Temple incision (hidden in hair) + postauricular incision (behind the ear)

  • ✓ Deep plane repositioning
  • ✓ No preauricular scar
  • ✓ Addresses face and neck
  • ✓ Long-lasting results (10+ years)
  • ✓ Wear hair up with confidence
Compare

How It Compares

The Stealth Lift™ Traditional Deep Plane Mini Facelift Thread Lift
Deep plane repositioning ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✗ No ✗ No
No preauricular scar ✓ Yes ✗ No ✗ No ✓ Yes
Addresses neck ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ⚠ Limited ✗ No
Longevity 10+ years 10+ years 5–7 years 1–3 months
Natural results ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ⚠ Varies ⚠ Varies
Typical downtime 10–14 days 10–14 days 7–10 days 3–5 days
Is It Right for You?

Ideal Candidates

The Stealth Lift™ may be right if you:

  • ✓ Want deep plane results without visible scars
  • ✓ Wear your hair up or back frequently
  • ✓ Have mild to moderate facial aging with jowling or neck laxity
  • ✓ Are in good health and a non-smoker
  • ✓ Value discretion — looking refreshed, not "done"

It may not be ideal if you:

  • ✗ Have significant excess skin requiring extensive removal
  • ✗ Have advanced skin and soft tissue aging requiring a traditional deep plane facelift approach

Dr. Keni will always recommend the technique that delivers the best result — never the one that's simply easier to market.

Recovery

What to Expect

Because incisions are hidden within the hair and behind the ear, there is no visible healing along the front of the ear — making it even easier to return to normal life discreetly.

Day 1
Surgery, followed by placement of compression dressing. Mild discomfort managed with medication. Rest at home.
Day 2
Dressing typically removed. Mild to moderate bruising and swelling. Most patients are comfortable and mobile.
Day 3
Post-operative check-in and drain removal, if placed.
Week 1
Bruising begins to fade. Swelling continues to improve. Light activity resumes.
Day 10
Post-operative check-in with stitch removal.
Day 14
Most patients feel confident returning to social and professional life.
Weeks 4–6
Swelling continues to resolve. Results become increasingly apparent.
Months 3–6
Final results take shape as all swelling resolves and tissues settle into their new position.
Your Surgeon

Dr. Sanjay "Jay" Keni

Double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, serving the greater Chicago area. Dr. Keni's entire career has been solely dedicated to the face — and The Stealth Lift™ represents the culmination of years of surgical refinement.

◆
Board Certified
American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
◆
Board Certified
American Board of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery
◆
Residency
Northwestern University, Chicago — a world premier teaching institution
◆
Fellowship and Practice Trained
Training on the East Coast followed by practicing at one of the busiest facial plastic surgery practices in Beverly Hills, CA
Get In Touch

Schedule a Consultation

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Stealth Lift™ as effective as a traditional deep plane facelift?
For appropriate candidates, yes. The Stealth Lift™ achieves deep plane repositioning through a different incision approach. The structural work beneath the skin is equivalent. Dr. Keni will evaluate whether your anatomy is best suited for The Stealth Lift™ or a traditional approach.
Can I wear my hair up after The Stealth Lift™?
Yes — this is one of the key advantages. Because there are no incisions in front of the ear, you can wear your hair in a ponytail, updo, or pulled back without exposing any surgical evidence.
Will anyone be able to tell I had surgery?
The goal is a refreshed, natural appearance — not an operated look. Even close friends and family typically cannot identify evidence of surgery. You will simply look like a well-rested version of yourself.
How long do results last?
Like a traditional deep plane facelift, results are long-lasting — typically 10 years or more. You will continue to age naturally, but from a more youthful starting point.
Is this the same as a thread lift?
No. Thread lifts use temporary sutures that typically last 1–3 months. The Stealth Lift™ is a true surgical procedure that repositions the deep structural layers of the face for durable, long-lasting results.
How is this different from a "mini facelift"?
Mini facelifts typically address only the lower face with a limited dissection and do not reposition the deep plane. The Stealth Lift™ is a comprehensive deep plane procedure — it simply uses a more discreet incision strategy.

Find Us

FaceLove Facial Plastic Surgery — One TransAm Plaza Dr., Suite 312, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Schedule Your Consultation
FaceLove Facial Plastic Surgery One TransAm Plaza Dr., Suite 312
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

📞 630.613.9660

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