Facelift after tightening procedures?

Question

64 year old caucasian female - in my 50s, I had Thermage, Ultherapy, and sculptra. I-was told in one consult that the tightening procedures I have had will made surgery more challenging. first time I have ever heard of this. Wondering if that is the experience of other plastic surgeon

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD · Answer

Yes, prior energy treatments and sculptra do make a facelift somewhat more challenging to perform.  That being said, it is certainly not impossible, and anyone who regularly performs facelifts in this day and age is very used to doing facelifts on people who have had prior tightening treatmnts, fillers, threads, etc.

Kevin Sadati, DO · Answer

Thermage and Ultherapy use heat or sound waves to target tissues beneath the skin, aiming to tighten and rejuvenate. However, these treatments can sometimes compromise the integrity of the underlying tissue over time. For individuals who have undergone these procedures and desire more significant, long-lasting results, the Preservation Deep Plane Facelift is the ideal solution. Unlike other facelifts, this advanced technique carefully lifts and repositions deeper facial tissues while preserving natural structures, ensuring minimal disruption and optimal blood supply. It offers a safer, more effective rejuvenation, delivering natural-looking, long-lasting results even for those with previous non-surgical skin-tightening treatments.

James M. Economides, MD, FACS · Answer

Non-invasive and minimally invasive tightening procedures have become very popular in recent years. 
Unfortunately these procedures are often performed by non-surgeon practitioners who do not have an eye to the future of their patient's rejuvenation needs.  It is still possible to have a facelift or necklift if you have had one of these procedures, but they increase the complexity of surgery by increasing scar tissue and tissue adherence.  As general rule of thumb: as the depth of treatment increases, so does the difficulty during surgery.  Procedures such as RF microneedling, which do not penetrate beneath the dermis have less scarring than those which are beneath the skin (fillers, threads, FaceTite, etc).

Brian M. Harmych, MD, FACS · Answer

In my practice, the majority of all facelift and deep plane facelift patient have had prior treatment, including fillers, neuromodulators, ultrasound and other energy-based therapies. Many patients have had prior facelift surgery, as well. While it is true that some of these treatments may increase the difficulty of a facelift or neck lift, an experienced surgeon will be able to explain precisely what challenges and limitations may be a result of prior treatment. However, (excluding serious prior complications from treatment) prior treatment (whether surgical or non-surgical) wouldn't increase the difficulty or chances of risks behind a small degree.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Previous non surgical procedures will have no impact on a facelift done later.  I don’t know why any surgeon with any experience would think that. Maybe to justify a higher fee

Facelift after tightening procedures?

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Facelift after tightening procedures?

Answers (7)

Answer: Facelift after non-surgical facial rejuvenation

Answer: Facelift after non-surgical facial rejuvenation

Answer: Facelift

Answer: Facelift

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Everything you need to know about Deep Plane Facelift

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