Sydney, Australia Revision Facelift

What Is a Revision Facelift?

A revision facelift surgery, also known as a secondary facelift, is a cosmetic procedure performed to correct or improve the results of a previous facelift. While facelifts can produce excellent, long-lasting results, sometimes the initial surgery may not meet the patient’s expectations or complications might arise, leading to the need for a corrective procedure. A revision facelift addresses these issues, aiming to restore natural facial contours, smooth out irregularities, and resolve aesthetic or functional concerns resulting from the first surgery.

Revision facelifts are frequently more complex than primary facelifts due to the presence of scar tissue and altered anatomy, requiring a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to navigate these challenges safely.

Common Reasons Why Facelifts Fail?

While facelifts aim to provide a refreshed appearance, several factors can lead to less-than-ideal outcomes:

Pixie Ear Deformity

Pixie ear deformity occurs when the earlobe is pulled downward and appears attached directly to the face without its natural curvature, resembling a pixie-like shape. This issue commonly arises as a complication of facelift surgery when too much tension is applied to the skin near the ears during the procedure.  The deformity can be corrected through revision surgery be lifting and supporting the deep layers (SMAS & platysma) to reduce tension on the overlying skin and reshaping the earlobe to a natural shape.

Hairline Distortion

Hairline distortion is a frequent complication that can occur following a facelift, if the incisions or skin tension are not managed carefully. This creates an unnatural shift in the hairline, especially around the temples or sideburns, where the hairline can be raised or moved, giving an uneven or distorted appearance.

Correcting hairline distortion by carefully repositioning the hair-bearing skin and ensures that incisions are closed with no tension to give a fine scar that is less visible, to restore a natural hairline.

Neck Contour Issues

Can arise after a facelift if the neck area is not properly addressed during the procedure. These issues might include residual sagging, uneven tightening of the skin, or an unnatural appearance in the neck and jawline region. Sometimes, the underlying muscles (platysma) are not adequately tightened, leading to banding or irregular contours that detract from the overall results of the facelift.

To correct neck contour issues, a revision facelift can involve additional tightening of the underlying muscles, removal or redistribution of excess skin, or fat removal to restore a smoother neck contour.

Poor Scarring

While scarring is an inevitable part of any cosmetic procedure, some patients may experience more visible or uneven scars due to improper incision placement, poor wound healing, or excessive tension during closure. This can lead to raised, thickened, or widened scars that stand out against the surrounding skin, making the surgery more noticeable.

Other contributing factors to poor scarring include infections, smoking, and genetic predispositions to hypertrophic or keloid scarring. In some cases, scars may darken or become more visible over time, particularly if proper aftercare or sun protection isn’t followed. Scar revision procedures often involve repositioning the scars to less visible areas, using advanced suturing techniques, or incorporating laser treatments to soften the appearance of the scars.

Nerve Damage

The facial nerve, which controls facial muscle movement, can be injured during surgery, leading to temporary or permanent issues. Common symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, muscle weakness, or, in severe cases, partial facial paralysis. Most often, nerve damage is temporary and resolves over several months as the nerves heal. However, in rare cases, permanent nerve injury may result in lasting asymmetry or difficulty with facial movements.

If nerve damage occurs, in extreme cases, corrective surgery to repair the damaged nerve or improve facial symmetry. However, the best approach is prevention and ensuring that your surgeon has significant experience in performing facelifts with minimal risk to the facial nerves.

Skin Too Tight

Over-tightening the skin can create a stretched or unnatural appearance, sometimes referred to as the “windblown” look, which can be aesthetically unpleasing. When too much skin is pulled, the face can appear too tight or unnatural, leading to an “overdone” look.

Lateral Sweep Deformity

A lateral sweep deformity is when parallel lines appear along the cheek to the ears and is due to an imbalance between excessive traction of the skin and inadequate support of the underlying SMAS and platysma layers. Experience in complete release of the retaining ligaments and support of the fascial layers is crucial to prevent this occurring and can be corrected with revision surgery

Weight Fluctuations

Significant weight gain or loss after a facelift can alter the results, as changes in facial fat can impact skin tightness and facial contours. Significant weight fluctuations after a facelift can alter the aesthetic results, causing skin sagging or stretching in areas that had previously been tightened.

Results Didn’t Last

If the facelift techniques used were not durable, or if the skin’s elasticity was not adequately addressed, while the initial outcomes of surgery may have been achieved the results may fade sooner than expected. In some cases, facelifts may not last as long as expected due to various factors such as poor surgical technique, skin type, lifestyle choices, or natural aging.

The Importance of an Experienced Plastic Surgeon

When considering a revision facelift, the importance of selecting an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr Turner cannot be overstated. Unlike a primary facelift, revision surgery is far more complex and requires a higher level of surgical skill. The surgeon must work with previously operated-on tissues that may have scar tissue, altered facial anatomy, and compromised skin elasticity, all of which present significant challenges.

They have a deep understanding of facial anatomy and the surgical techniques necessary to correct issues such as asymmetry, scarring, or unnatural tightness from the previous procedure. Additionally, they will know how to approach the revision in a way that minimizes the risk of complications while achieving a natural and refreshed appearance. Dr Turner brings years of experience and a commitment to personalized patient care, ensuring that each procedure is tailored to the individual’s unique needs and goals.

How Long Should a Facelift Last?

A well-performed facelift can provide long-lasting results, typically ranging from 7 to 10 years. However, the exact longevity depends on several factors such as the patient’s age, skin type, lifestyle, and the quality of the surgical technique used. While a facelift can significantly reduce the visible signs of aging by tightening the skin and underlying muscles, the aging process continues post-surgery. Over time, the skin’s natural elasticity diminishes, and gravity, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits like smoking or poor diet can further influence how long the results last.

For patients who experience premature sagging or other issues after a facelift, a revision procedure may be necessary to correct those concerns and diminish ageing changes. Many patients find that even years after their surgery, their face still looks rejuvenated compared to if they had never undergone the procedure, but subtle changes may warrant a touch-up or revision.

How Can a Facelift Be Fixed?

If you are dissatisfied with the results of your initial facelift, there are several ways a revision procedure can improve the outcome. The correction largely depends on the specific issues presented:

• Correcting Scarring: Visible scars can be revised by excising the old scar tissue and re-closing the incisions with a different technique to minimize tension and improve healing.
• Improving Neck Contour: If the neck area was not adequately addressed, a revision neck lift can involve additional muscle repositioning, fat contouring and skin removal to smooth out the neck contour.
• Restoring Symmetry: Adjustments can be made to achieve a more balanced appearance, particularly in cases where one side of the face looks tighter or higher than the other.
• Relaxing Over-Tightened Skin: If the skin was pulled too tightly during the original surgery, a revision can release some tension, leading to a more natural and relaxed appearance.
• Addressing Underlying Musculature: Sometimes, the initial facelift may not have effectively targeted the deeper layers of the face (SMAS). A revision can focus on these layers to achieve a longer lasting result.

How Long After a Facelift Can You Have Surgery?

The appropriate timing for revision surgery after a facelift is crucial to ensure optimal results and minimize complications. Most surgeons recommend waiting at least a year before considering a revision facelift. This period allows your tissues to fully heal from the initial surgery and for any swelling to subside, revealing the final outcome of your facelift. Jumping into revision surgery too soon can lead to additional complications, as the healing tissues are still delicate and may not respond well to further surgical intervention.

In some cases, surgeons may suggest waiting even longer, depending on the extent of the original facelift and the patient’s healing progress. For instance, if the patient has undergone extensive changes or has experienced delayed healing, it might be advisable to allow more time before considering corrective surgery.

How Many Times Can I Get a Facelift?

There is no hard limit to how many facelifts a person can have over their lifetime. However, multiple facelifts should be spaced out adequately to allow for full recovery between surgeries and to ensure that the skin and underlying tissues remain healthy. The number of facelifts an individual can have also depends on factors like skin quality, facial anatomy, and age. Some patients may undergo two or three facelifts over their lifetime, typically spaced about 7 to 10 years apart.

Each successive facelift must be approached with extra caution since repeated procedures on the same tissues can increase the risk of complications like scarring or poor skin elasticity. Dr Turner assesses each case individually to ensure that further surgeries will provide a safe and effective outcome.

Recovery after Revision Facelift Surgery

Recovery after a revision facelift is a gradual process, with initial swelling and bruising subsiding within the first few weeks. Most patients can resume regular activities in two to three weeks, though complete healing and final results may take more than six months.

Dr. Turner offers personalized post-operative care, emphasizing the importance of following instructions to manage discomfort, minimize swelling, and ensure smooth recovery. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting during the early stages. Light walking is encouraged to promote circulation.

Following all post-operative care, including protecting the skin from sun exposure, is vital to prevent complications and achieve lasting results.

See our detailed guide on recovery after facelift surgery

Risks and Complications

Like any surgical procedure, revision facelift carries certain risks and potential complications. It is important for patients to be fully aware of these before deciding to undergo surgery. Dr. Turner will discuss them in detail during your consultation, ensuring you have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the potential outcomes.

Common risks include infection, bleeding, scarring, and temporary numbness or swelling, which typically subside during recovery. Less common but possible complications involve nerve damage, which could affect facial sensation or movement, and reactions to anaesthesia. Rarely, patients may experience hair loss at incision sites, skin discoloration, or delayed wound healing, leading to more noticeable scarring. Adhering to post-operative care instructions is essential for minimizing complications and ensuring a smooth recovery.

See our detailed guide on risks and complications after facelift surgery

What Is the Cost of a Revision Facelift in Sydney?

The cost of a revision facelift in Sydney can range widely from $10,000 to over $45,000, depending on various factors such as the complexity of the procedure, the expertise of the surgeon, and the facility where the surgery is performed. Revision surgeries are generally more expensive than primary facelifts because they involve correcting previous surgeries, working with scar tissue, and addressing other complications, which require a higher level of surgical skill and precision.

Several factors can impact the overall cost of a revision facelift:

• Surgical Complexity: Correcting asymmetry, adjusting facial contours, or dealing with complications from the previous surgery can add to the procedure’s complexity and, therefore, the cost.
• Additional Procedures: Sometimes, other procedures like neck lifts, fat grafting, or eyelid surgery may be necessary to achieve the desired result, which can increase the total price.
• Surgeon’s Experience: The more skilled and experienced the surgeon, the higher their fees are likely to be. However, investing in a highly qualified surgeon ensures the best possible outcome, especially with a revision procedure.

Revision facelift surgery is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and is generally not covered by health insurance. Please consult Dr Turners clinic for more detailed pricing information specific to your situation.