Considering Facelift After Failed Ultherapy?

There is no good way to tighten the skin. Attempts using various topical treatments invariably lead to failure. It is not surprising that you now need a facelift. If excess skin is part of the problem that only a facelift will work.

A facelift could certainly be performed to improve the face and neck after previous conservative therapy has failed. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of
facelifts, necklifts facelift revisions, and facial procedures each
year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo
galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth
Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

A facelift that is planned well and executed precisely generally provides very gratifying results. The fact that you had problems in the past does not mean you will in the future especially with good technique and experienced hands.

If your only concern was that Ultherapy was not effective, then I would recommend further discussion with your Plastic Surgeon. However, given your concerns with multiple procedures performed previously you would probably benefit from a second (or third) opinion if only for reassurance. In my experience, people who will benefit from a facelift do not get similar improvement with Ulthera. It does provide improvement but not to the degree that people are seeking and at a high price point to boot. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACSLone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ultherapy is a non-invasive procedure which attempts to tighen the neck and SMAS area. The procedure is not a substitue for a facelift. There is no contraindication to having a facelift performed after Ulthera.

If you did not get good results from Ultherapy, then a facelift is the next step.  Should be no contraindications due to the non-invasive treatment, so find a good facial plastic surgeon for a consultation.

It is always reasonable to consider surgical facial rejuvenation after a failed non-surgical rejuvenation.  Sounds like you might wish to select a different plastic surgeon which is always fine.  Best of luck.  

Ultherapy: Does it work for everybody? No.  If you were more of a facelift candidate to begin with, your disappointment is understandable. Ultherapy works best in patients in their 40's and 50's, but is not able to provide results remotely close to a facelift. Ultherapy is a soft tissue tightener, not a "nonsurgical facelift".  The complications that your describe do not necessarily portend difficulties with a facelift.  In order to avoid problems, be very selective in your choice of a Surgeon; make sure that you see a Surgeon who dedicates the vast majority of his/her time to the aging face.  Board certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery are acceptable, and beware of Surgeons who spend more time putting others down than focusing on their own work.

 

Ultherapy is a form of skin tightening, similar to many other modalities.  In my practice I routinely see patients that come in for a facelift after rather disappointing results with these non-surgical skin tightening modalities.  In your particular case your history of post-surgery healing does not put you in increased risk category.  If performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon with excellent record you should achieve a great result.  Prior Ultherapy treatment a few months ago should not be a problem.

Ultherapy is a no surgical technique to lift tissue of the face nd neck. When deciding whether to do Ultherapy versus surgery, there are several factors that are important, such as age, medical problems, and current medications. Also, your expectations are important. Ultherapy is not a replacement for surgery, but it is certainly a good non surgical option. You should wait several months, about six months, after Ultherapy before deciding about surgery. After about six months, surgery certainly is an option.