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Are Some Surgeons Able to Deal with a 3rd Facelift, and Others Not?

asked 9 months ago by Lilacs in Kansas City, MO, USA
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 313 times
Tags: choosing a surgeon, revision

I have had 2 facelifts, both bad. My lower face is too low on my face and it has been tightened under my cheeks, making my face look narrow, hollow, and sad. I feel the sides and under cheeks need to be taken apart, and relifted, more vertically, probably with incision up into the hairline. I'm having a hard time finding anyone in the Kansas City area who is not afraid of scar tissue and nerve damage in a third facelift. Are some surgeons able to deal with this, and others are not?

22 answers to Are Some Surgeons Able to Deal with a 3rd Facelift, and Others Not?

Can a 3rd Facelift be Done

I'm sorry you're not happy with your previous work, but a 3rd facelift can be done by an experienced surgeon who will explain possible complications and establish reasonable goals. From your description it may be necessary to redrape the facial skin without removing anything. As we age we lose facial volume - it may be that you need facial augmentation with fat grafting without another facelift.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

A Short Scar Vertical Facelift Is An Option For A Revision Facelift

By your description, it sounds that a Vertical Facelift may be a good option for you as you consider a third procedure. The Vertical Lift (MACS-lift) provides: An upward, not backward vector of lift Does not advance your hairline in the temple Causes less distortion than repeating a traditional facelift. A Vertical Lift is usually safe to perform as a revision procedure if you are healthy. As with any procedure, some volume replacement and upper face or brow... more

Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Revision Facelift

Typically scar tissue is not an insurmountable problem with facelifts but if you are feeling too tight and pulled additional surgery might not be for you. Other procedures might better soften or naturalize your look. We need to talk. Come in for a discussion of multiple options.

Hannah Vargas, MD
Kansas City Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.vargasfaceandskin.com

3rd face lift not an issue

It would serve you best if you could submit pictures, however, it sounds like you would benefit from facial fillers. Sounds like you are on the right track by consulting different surgeons. Don't give up! Just make sure that the person you do decide on is a Board Certified Plastic surgeon with experience on repeat facelifts. Best wishes, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Third facelift

As patients start with mini lifts at a earlier age, a third facelift has become much more common. You are correct in that hairline incisions often work best because of the tendency to sweep the skin off of the face and side burn area with a repeated lift. Also volume replacement becomes even more critical as we age and fat grafting to hollow areas can help. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Multiple face lifts , further work desired

Keep looking for a surgeon who feels comfortable and confident he/she can improve you. See someone older (over 50) who can show examples of results in cases like yours. This is where experience counts . Sometimes simpler techniques like an extended skin only lift with or without fat transfer might work. In other cases facial implants or subperiosteal approachs may help. When there has been prior work, I am always concerned that motor nerve branches are encased in scar tissue and could be... more

Sheldon S. Kabaker, MD
Oakland Facial Plastic Surgeon

3rd face lift

Before seeking a third face lift, you may want to consider a facial recontouring procedure such as fat grafting. This can give a lifted look without subjecting you to a 3rd major surgery.

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Revision Face Lift Procedures-Secondary and Tertiary Face Lifts

It is very possible to safetly perform a third time face lift even with previous scarring. It sounds as if the deep tissues need to be lifted separately from the skin using a high-SMAS procedure. If the skin flaps are elevated carefully, a SMAS flap can still be raised in secondary and tertiary procedures. The hollowness may need to be addressed with the addition of some fat grafting. The difficult issue in many of these secondary and tertiary face lift... more

Michael Sundine, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Facelift - #3?

I think one would have to conclude that some surgeons are inherently more experienced at specific procedures than others are and so it's possible that some surgeons can "deal with this" and others can't. As always, it is in your best interest to spend whatever amount of time is required to investigate your concerns, what you want done in view of what you've had done and make yourself comfortable with the entire process. In the end, it comes down to what you... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Is third time a charm?

Without a picture it is hard to say. However, from your descrition it sounds like all you may need is facial fillers such as Scultpra. You may want to ask your doctor for more information or other options.

Christopher W. Chase, MD
Chattanooga Plastic Surgeon

www.aprs.md

Revision facelifts, mini lift, lite lifts

Most experienced plastic surgeons can do any revisions. You should always check on the experience of the doctor. Revisions can be more challenging. The corrections more difficult. You must also be realistic about the improvements

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.pacificcenterplasticsurgery.com

Third facelift, fillers combined with facelifts

Having a third facelift is not always a problem. This request has been considered often by patients who remain healthy and vibrant and outgoing, in spite of the age of the patient. The bigger issue is whether this is what you truly need. It may be that volume replacement with fat or fillers is more the need for you. Vertical elevation of the relaxed facial tissue may be necessary, but supplementaion with fillers may also be indicated. Only with a professional... more

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Repeat Facelift Surgeries

A "redo" facelift does require more finesse than a primary one, but it sounds like you have analyzed some features of your face that could be improved. A lift with more upward vector gives rejuvenation in the upper face. It sounds like this portion of your face was not addressed in your prior procedures. Fat grafting can enhance shape of your face and soften the result. Lipostructure (fat grafting) can also improve skin quality if you have... more

Mary Lee Peters, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Are Some Surgeons Able to Deal with a 3rd Facelift, and Others Not?

Absolutely, not all plastic and cosmetic surgeons are created equal. Training, experience and aesthetic judgement all vary among surgeons. I have performed Face Lifts for over 20 years and IMHO, it's the shape of the face after the Face Lift has been performed that dictates how good...or bad the face looks. You should have several consults with well experienced Face Lift surgeons to get their opinions about what should be done and don't be surprised if you get very... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Revision facelift surgeons have been doing these for many years.

Revision facelift surgeons have been doing these for many years and therefore, have a great deal of experience.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Are Some Surgeons Able to Deal with a 3rd Facelift, and Others Not?

Better to use a very experienced facelift surgeon who has done secondary and third facelifts. Seek many opinions in person. Good Luck.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Third face lift

While third face lifts are not that common, an experienced surgeon should be able to do it. Perhaps they are telling you to quit while you are ahead? Things can be made worse. You sound extremely precise in your expectations for a face lift, and perhaps that is scaring them off.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Choosing

I don't find any issues with a third lift. However it is hard to advise you as to what you need with seeing you or good pictures.

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

While a third facelift may be exactly what you need, there may be other options.

The facelift continues to be the most powerful cosmetic surgery that we have. However it is an envelope tightening procedure. In many cases these surgeries are complimented with volume restoration. This might be as straight forward as using hyaluronic acid fillers that can last well over a year or revolumizing with facial fat transfer. Only a personal consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgeon will answer the question if these options are best for you. more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Your picture would have helped

I do not think the issue is that you had 3 face lifts,but the scar tissue or other concerns. Please send us picture for better evaluation.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Third Facelift?

Yes, surgeons experienced in facelift surgery, and who have a special interest in this, should be able to help you. The most important thing will be to have good communication between yourself and the surgeon in order to improve the chances of success. The surgeon should also be honest with what they think they can and might not be able to improve. Good luck.

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

Have you considered non surgical options?

What you seem to be describing sounds more like 'volume loss' than 'sagging skin'. You may want to consider a fat grafting or a fat transfer procedure to improve the hollowing instead of another facelift, a surgeon experienced in facelifts and fat trasnfer will be able to evaluate your particular situation and discuss options for you.