How many facelifts can one person have in their lifetime?

Question

If someone had facelift in their 40’s and needed a mini facelift to revise previous work bc hematoma left loose pockets and lots of scar tissue, a few years later. Will it preclude the person from having a facelift when they are older?

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

I strongly feel that it's very important to have an honest conversation with your surgeon about your particular situation, lifestyle, work environment and specifically which procedures you're having done so that you both have the most honest answer about your recovery and are realistic with expectations and results.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question . Having had a previous Facelift does not preclude you from having a secondary facelift. You will, however, need a surgeon skilled at secondary facelift procedures.
Please find an experienced Board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns.All the best!

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Having a previous facelift doesn't mean you cannot have enough one in the future.  The key is for a facelift to give you a nature and refreshed appearance.  Once your skin has started to loose laxity again and there would be enough laxity to perform another facelift, this can be done successfully with the correct surgeon and expectation.  All The Best

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is best that you are fully examined. It sounds like you have already had a face lift. I would advise you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination to discuss all possible treatment options and what your expectations are.

Alejandro J. Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  There is no limits in the number of facelifts a person can have in his lifetime.   Nevertheless, I have patient how have more than 3 but is unusual.

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the important question. It sounds like you had a lift and then a minor revision or an unscheduled second operation due to a hematoma? The issues here would have more to do with the type and location of any scar tissue that may have occurred from the prior surgeries. This could constrain the possibilities in the next surgery. While there is no set number of face or neck lifts that can be performed, each time an area is operated there can be complications and the healing can be compromised. Best of luck and take care!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

There is no limit to the number of facelifts that a person could have in their lifetime, but it is more an issue of when the procedure might be of benefit.  Everyone ages differently, and people have different types of skin, so some people may not need another facelift after the first.  Other people may have several over time.  It is possible to have a facelift after having had a hematoma from a previous procedure.

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS · Answer

In general, it doesn't preclude getting another facelift. Bleeding is a common occurrence after a facelift. Its not very common to have risks associated with facelift surgery, however, bleeding is at the top of that small list.   When a second facelift is performed, the surgeon is always aware that there is more scar tissue than performing a primary facelift, so the surgeon just prepares the approach that way. I regularly perform second and third facelifts on patients and the only difference i tell them is that the surgery requires more awareness in raising flaps; the deep plane approach requires more awareness due to prior scar tissue; the swelling and healing after takes a little longer due to the prior surgery.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Affectionate9741I completely understand your concern. However as we are performing face lifts on younger patients, vis-à-vis mini facelifts, secondary and even tertiary facelifts are not uncommon to combat the aging process as we get older.In your particular case, there should be no issues regarding another face lift in the future. However a healthy lifestyle including avoidance of sun damage, hydration and a solid skin care regimen will increase the longevity of your facelift.  Please check the link below which will direct you to a blog I wrote about this very subject! Good luck.

Robert W. Sheffield, MD · Answer

If you already had a facelift, it is acceptable to have a second one; there is no limit on the number of facelifts a person can have. A lot of conditions need to be evaluated before considering having a second or third facelift. Every patient needs to be assessed to ensure they are still an excellent candidate to go for the surgery again and to the full evaluation of the area. I recommend going for a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to do the full assessment and present the possible outcome.