The Revision Facelift Procedure
A revision facelift is significantly more complex than the original procedure. Mr Juling Ong will spend time analysing your face to identify and address the issues with the previous surgery. In order to achieve facial balance and aesthetic, he will often combine a revision facelift with other procedures for a bespoke result.
Surgery Time
4 – 8 hours
Anaesthetic
General
Hospital Stay
Overnight stay
Time Off Work
2 weeks
Full Recovery
6 – 12 weeks
Revision facelifts aim to improve the outcome of facial rejuvenation surgery that has either left the patient feeling there has been slight improvement or there has been a less than satisfactory result. Revision facelifting surgery is technically more challenging for the surgeon. Patients also often have a greater degree of anxiety.
Issues that might affect your facelift result include:
• Skin deformity; skin tension deformities can present as a widened or thickened scar. The earlobe can also be distorted
• Vector deformity; during a facelift, Mr Ong will lift the tissues to the position they were in 10 or 15 years previously, but if the tissues have been lifted backwards rather than up, it can leave the face looking unnatural. A lateral sweep is when the parallel lines appear along the cheeks to the ear.
• Scar positioning; poor placement of the incision can affect the hairline
• Asymmetry; a common concern although no face is perfectly symmetrical
• Imbalance; just focusing on one area can produce a less than satisfactory result. An upper eyelid lift may require lifting of the upper face and a neck often needs to be addressed at the same time as the lower face
• Inappropriate surgery; if a surgeon suggests a mini facelift, it can seem a more attractive option with less downtime, but often it won’t deliver the outcome required
Mr Juling Ong will perform the procedure under general anaesthetic and may use the previous incisions or new incisions, depending on how the scars healed after the previous surgery. He will address issues such as scar tissue and skin tension. Still, it is important to be aware of the reduced predictability of the final outcome as the tissues have been previously manipulated.
Often, the procedure may take twice as long as the primary surgery. Mr Juling Ong may combine a revision facelift with fat grafting, liposuction, and custom facial implants, either simultaneously or with a staged approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I have a revision facelift?
Mr Juling Ong advises patients to wait at least a year after their initial surgery to ensure that all swelling has subsided and the scars have flattened, so a true assessment can be made. This will also make sure the patient is well recovered.
Am I a good candidate for a revision facelift?
You are a suitable candidate for a revision facelift if you wish to improve the outcome of a previous surgery or seek a touch-up as it’s been many years since your primary procedure. You should be a non-smoker in good health and have realistic expectations about what a revision facelift can achieve.
What is the recovery like after a revision facelift?
Often the downtime can be more extensive than after the initial procedure, as it can take longer for swelling to resolve.
During your consultation, Mr Juling Ong will explain all potential risks and discuss your treatment options in full. Please call us on 020 7927 6528 or email us at info@julingong.com to arrange an appointment.
