How long to wait for mini facelift touchup?

  Healing times vary from patient to patient.  On average, I find that most healing occurs in the first 10-14 days after surgery.  Even though most patients are very happy with how they look at this point, it is important to remember that the healing process is not over.  Between 2-12 weeks, there is still a mild to moderate amount of edema (swelling) that may give a false representation of the results. I  find that realistic representations of the final result occur at 3 months or later.   This is a good time to have an open discussion about the results that were achieved.  Re-evaluation may be warranted at 6 months to determine any plans for further treatment.  Should there be a decision to do more, 8-12 months after the original procedure would be ideal, in most cases, due to healing that is still occurring underneath the skin.  The type of procedure will be a factor in deciding if something can be done sooner. Provided that you are confident in your surgeon's experience with the procedure, he or she should be the best resource to help you determine what is normal throughout the healing process, as well as the most appropriate time for any additional treatment or procedures. (This would apply to both mini-facelift and mid-face lift. Your question mentions both.)    

Many patients have follow up surgery after
an initial facelift. Keep in mind, however, that ideally a second surgery
should not be necessary for many years. There is a risk that multiple surgeries
can lead to more distorted results, undermining any effort to achieve the most
elegant natural-looking appearance possible. Before scheduling a second
surgery, talk to your surgeon about your motivations and expectations. There
may be more appropriate anti-aging management options that you may want to
consider.

Thanks for your question.  I would wait a minimum of 6 months before re-lifting to be done safely. It would be better to wait a year though for the skin to relax if it is to do so. Also the feeling and blood vessels need to come back and at a year this process would be complete and make for a safer re lifting. 

It can be extremely frustrating to have to wait to fix a result that you are not happy about, but your surgeon is right about the timing.  The reason he wants you to wait 3-4 months is that this is how long it takes for you to completely heal from the original procedure.  You would need to see how things look after all the swelling has resolved before considering what to do during a touch-up.  I know it is hard to accept now, but there will be changes between now and then and you may even see significant improvements in how things look. 

It's peculiar that an acknowledgment would be made that a revision of a facelift can be established if you weeks after the procedure.. Nevertheless, I would suggest you wait until swelling and inflammation has substantially subsided. Six weeks would be the minimum but six months preferable.

At 14 days post procedure you are very early in the healing process and certainly too early to be making decision about revisions. The tissues of the face are swollen and oedematous at 2 weeks and revisions at that stage are certainly not advisable. I do not quite understand the information you have been given but if you are confident with your surgeon and their experience then you should follow their advice. With time if you feel unsure about which direction you are heading a second opinion can always be sought. For now the best advice is to let yourself heal and reassess your results in 12 months time, a lot can change between now and then. Best of luck.RegardsDr Guy Watts 

Healing time is usually 3 to 4months. And allows all the swelling to decrease in that timeframe. Best to discuss in person with your surgeon...

need to wait for the wounds to heal and the skin to soften before a touch up is done otherwise you dont know what you are dealing with and the tissues do not respond to the surgical manuveurs, two months at a minimum

You need adequate healing time for the final result to be seen which is necessary for a proper "touch up" with good results. Personally I would wait 6 months. A mini facelift does not typically include a platysmaplasty which is required for the best neck and jawline result.

In most cases  Plastic Surgeons would like the swelling and firmness under the skin to resolve before any revisions.  This could take at wait 4 to 6 months.  The overall result will be better if you can allow some time to pass before any revision surgery is done.  Also the extent of surgery may not have been sufficient to correct the degree of skin excess in the first place. Good LuckStanley P. Gulin, M.D.Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery