Facelift Revision Surgery Procedure Steps

Facelift Revision 

Cosmetic problems with the primary facelift and post-surgical deformities are common reasons for many patients to seek a revision facelift cosmetic surgery. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explain the steps involved in facelift revision procedure.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hisham Seify provides facelift revision surgery to patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and surrounding locations.

Need for a Facelift Revision Procedure

A potential issue with the primary facelift surgery in some cases may be the appearance of overly tight skin (often known as the “wind-swept” deformity). This condition is most prominent near the corners of the mouth because the posterior pulling stretches the skin in this region in an undesirable manner creating an unappealing contour and an “operated” appearance.

A similar issue may occur in the neck area as well when the neck skin is tightened without the treatment of the neck muscles. This causes the appearance of two tight bands in the anterior neck (the medial edges of the platysma muscles) known as the “cobra neck” deformity.

In both of these deformities, the patient requires a revision facelift plastic surgery. The revision facelift will involve more in-depth dissection and focus on repositioning the deep connective muscle and tissue layers of the neck and face.

Some other typical problems after traditional facelifts are an incomplete treatment or an early recurrence of the jowls as well as continuous droopiness of the cheek region (known as mid-face ptosis). While these issues are different, they occur due to the same reason-the incomplete release of the soft tissues of the face.

The surgeon can make sure that the patient does not experience these problems by performing a more comprehensive facelift, yet not placing a more substantial incision. On top of this, patients who have undergone a facelift in the past but have faced these problems can choose a revision facelift procedure for the treatment of the jowls and lifting the cheeks.

Steps in the Revision Facelift Procedure

Anesthesia

Administering the anesthesia is the initial step in any major plastic surgery procedure such as a facelift. The surgeon may choose general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. The decision on the type of anesthesia to be used will be taken before the surgery and depends on the patient’s ability to undergo general anesthesia, which the surgeon will evaluate beforehand.

Incision Placement

The surgeon will place incisions after the anesthesia to perform the revision procedure. In order to minimize the appearance of any resulting scarring, the surgeon will place the incisions as discreetly as possible. The incision is typically positioned within the hairline. However, the extent of the incisions may differ on the basis of the revision facelift technique that the surgeon will use.

Muscle and Skin Tightening

The surgeon will lift the skin of the face through the incisions. They will then remove or redistribute surplus fats, tighten the underlying sagging muscles, and trim away the extra facial skin.

After enhancing the facial contours, the surgeon will drape the skin back smoothly and tightly making use of sutures and staples. After this, they will apply a bandage to the incision sites to support the healing of the area.

Combining Other Procedures with Facelift Revision

The patient may choose to combine a facelift revision with other procedures to accomplish more comprehensive outcomes, in consultation with the surgeon. The surgeon may perform facial and neck liposuction to remove fatty pockets in the area, enhancing the facial contours.

Accomplished and reliable cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hisham Seify receives patients from Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and other suburbs and neighborhoods in this region of the nation for facelift revision surgery.