Face/Neck Revisions

The aging process of the face and neck involves the gradual loss of skin elasticity, muscle tone, and volume, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines. Additionally, factors such as sun exposure, genetics, and lifestyle choices can accelerate these issues. Facelifts and neck lifts can help counteract these changes.

Even with an optimal outcome from an initial facelift or neck lift, the natural aging process continues, prompting many individuals to opt for a follow-up procedure to regain the rejuvenating effects they previously enjoyed.

When performing revision facelifts, additional procedures such as fat grafting, laser resurfacing, deep neck contouring, submandibular gland modification, lip lifts, and buccal fat pad repositioning can significantly enhance the results. These complementary treatments help refine your overall appearance, ensuring a more natural and rejuvenated look.

In some cases, individuals may require a more comprehensive deep plane facelift to address concerns. This can be a better option for a revision because it addresses deeper layers of facial tissue, providing longer-lasting results. This technique also reduces tension on the skin, minimizing the risk of an overly tight appearance.

A word of caution: revision surgery for a facelift or neck lift demands a significantly higher level of surgical skill and precision than the initial procedure. Even if the initial surgery was successful and complication-free, the anatomy of the muscles and nerves often changes, creating new landmarks that the surgeon may not be familiar with. The surgeon’s expertise in understanding three-dimensional anatomy, facial nerve pathways, and facial aesthetics, combined with extensive experience in performing such surgeries, is crucial for achieving optimal results.

Make sure you ask your surgeon about their general approach to revisions and review their before-and-after gallery, in addition to discussing the risks and benefits of various techniques. Also consider getting at least two opinions, as you consider alternative solutions.

Revision facelifts and neck lifts are advanced surgical procedures designed to refine and enhance the results of an initial facelift or neck lift. These surgeries are often necessary due to changes in facial anatomy over time or to correct unsatisfactory outcomes from the first procedure. The techniques used in revision surgeries are more intricate and tailored to address specific issues, making them highly specialized.

In revision facelifts, surgeons frequently employ the deep plane facelift technique, which targets the deeper layers of facial tissue. This approach helps to yield a youthful-looking appearance without producing a “worked on” look that can result from less advanced methods.

Additional procedures such as fat grafting can restore lost volume, while laser resurfacing can improve skin texture and tone. Deep neck contouring, submandibular gland modification, lip lifts, and buccal fat pad repositioning are other techniques that can be utilized to achieve a harmonious appearance.

For patients who prefer non-surgical options, treatments such as fillers, laser resurfacing, and energy-based devices like Thermage®, Ultherapy®, Morpheus8™, and SylfirmX® offer alternatives, though they generally provide more limited results than surgical procedures. While these treatments are effective for maintaining the effects of an initial surgery, they are generally less capable of reversing advanced signs of aging compared to surgical methods.

Before you go

Preparing for a revision facelift and neck lift involves several important steps. During your preoperative visit, your surgeon will review your medical history, discuss your goals, and provide detailed instructions on what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. In the days leading up to the surgery, you should follow any specific guidelines given by your surgeon, such as stopping certain medications, avoiding smoking, and arranging for someone to drive you home post-surgery. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and ensure you have all necessary supplies for your recovery period at home.

During the procedure

On the day of your revision facelift and neck lift, you will first meet with the anesthesiologist to discuss the anesthesia plan. Revision surgery is very often performed under sedation or general anesthesia depending on the procedure and your preferences; in any case, you will be pain-free.

During the procedure, the surgeon will use advanced techniques to refine and enhance the results of your initial surgery, which may involve deep plane facelifts, fat grafting, and other complementary procedures. Incisions are typically concealed around the ears and under the chin, but they may need to be modified depending on the specifics of your initial surgery. Often, the surgeon can also improve any unsatisfactory scarring from your first surgery, enhancing the aesthetic outcome.

After the surgery is completed, you will gradually wake up in the recovery room, where medical staff will closely monitor you to ensure your vital signs are stable. Depending on your surgeon’s recommendations, you may either be discharged to go home with a caregiver or stay overnight in a recovery center for further observation.

Face & Neck Revision Aftercare 

After surgery, you may or may not have temporary drains to deal with excess blood and fluid, depending on the revision surgery you have received and your surgeon’s preference. It is not uncommon to notice bruising, swelling, and a feeling of tension in the face or neck. Your facial and neck swelling may be more pronounced in the first few days if you have salivary gland modification or laser resurfacing.

Pain is usually managed with over-the-counter medicines and prescription pain medication, as needed. You will be given detailed written instructions about what to do after surgery and any necessary prescriptions.

The satisfaction rate for revision surgery in the hands of a super expert surgeon is extremely high. Though perfect results are never guaranteed, the procedure typically yields significant aesthetic and functional improvements.