How long before a facelift can be redone, 1 year post op.

Question

I had a full face lift one year ago but my mouth is downturned and my lower face just looks droopy. when can I have the lower face redone? My surgeon did say that he likes to be conservative. I'm 55 years old

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Revision face lift can be done any time after initial procedure depending of the severity of residual "deformity". However, most plastic surgeons would probably suggest to wait about 1 year until "deformity" is stable and well defined so the surgeon can decide what type of procedure(s) to select to improve result. In person evaluation is needed for more accurate evaluation and planning. Good luck.

Marc Pacifico, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Many thanks for posting your question.There is no fixed time for having a secondary facelift, but as a rule, for any plastic surgery, waiting at least a year is the minimum we would recommend. This is due to all the scar tissue (internal and external) needing time to mature and soften.Without any pictures it is hard to comment further, but my recommendation would be to discuss your concerns with your surgeon, and possibly seek a second opinion. Good luck taking things forwards

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

Hi Dod62,Thank you for sharing your Question,It is advisable to wait at least a year before having a revision Facelift, you might like to consider alternative non surgical methods.I would advise you speaking with your chosen surgeon with regards to your requirements and outcome.All the best and good luck

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear dod62The timing of a secondary facelift depends on the changes you want to make , the amount of skin laxity and technically what the surgeon thinks they can achieve.  There are other options than face lifting such as fat grafting and fillers.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Ritchie Younger, MD · Answer

Facelift remains the gold standard for natural appearing facial rejuvenation.  Occasionally we see people who undergo a phenomenon called "stretchback" following primary facelift surgery, whereby the skin relaxes excessively during the first year or two following their surgery-and indeed if we wait for things to settle out for about 18 months-we may be compelled to re-enter the face to optimize their final result.  In an ideal world-we usually would wait these 18 months to allow for complete resolution of swelling, allow the scars to settle, and the longer you wait the easier that the technical aspects of the surgery become.  Most facelift patients go for 5 to 15 years of continued aging before they consider a revision, but some patient's tissues are such that they can start to excessively relax and thus benefit from an earlier re-entrance of the face to resolve this stretchback laxity that will sometimes unpredictably occur.  WE all want to see fantastic results, and this is another quill in our quiver to address post facelift issues-the goal being a happy, happy patient !!

Ritu Chopra, MD · Answer

Generally I tell people to wait about a year to 18 months for consideration of a revision. At that time all the aspects of aging need to once again be addressed; that being laxity of the skin, decrease in subcutaneous volume and finally the texture of the skin. Depending on what is needed that will dictate the type of revision. Pictures would obviously would tell the story of what needs to be done. I hope this helps!

Richard Balikian, MD · Answer

In my experience if a revision is necessary, I will have my patient wait until they are one year post op. As you know you can still be swollen and healing up until that mark. It is possible filler can help give you volume. But you may not need a surgical procedure. A vampire facelift maybe exactly what you need. When patients are pursuing a facial
rejuvenation, they want to treat their shape, texture, color and size. Unlike
most procedures, the Vampire Facelift offers a way of restoring shape, and improving tone and texture, as well as literally
rejuvenating new and younger tissue!

Christian D. Jacob, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be best to wait a full year.  Perhaps adding pre-operative skin resurfacing/tightening with a fractional ablative laser will help your results be more lasting.

Jason S. Cooper, MD · Answer

There is no specific timing for when to revise a facelift. It is arbitrary.  Things to consider before revising your facelift should go beyond allowing swelling to resolve.  It's also important to make sure that scars have healed and are not still inflamed and irritated.  More important than those issues is to clarify with the surgeon what different approach will be taken during the revision of the facelift in order to avoid the same outcome. Minor skin revisions can be performed within the first 3-6 months.  However a major revision should not be entertained for at least 10-12 months.  This time frame allows swelling, scarring, overall healing as well as discussion to take place.

Raghu Athre, MD · Answer

You can have a revision facelift at anytime.  Maybe...you might not need a lift.  You might need some volume, etc.  However, from a safety standpoint I feel you should be ok for a lift at any time.

How long before a facelift can be redone, 1 year post op.

Answers (12)

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