Question:
I had a facelift about 20 years ago and I feel like it is time for a booster shot surgery. How have facelifts improved since I had my first one in terms of recovery, scarring, and safety?
Answer:
If your first facelift was performed 20 years ago, it is very likely that a secondary facelift is in order at this time. Facelift procedures have changed to some degree in 20 years. What we have learned is that the majority of lifting and pull on the face does not come from skin tightening, but, rather elevation and repositioning of a very firm layer of tissue beneath the skin called the SMAS. The SMAS needs to be carefully dissected during your revision facelift in order to give you a pleasing and long lasting surgical result. The issues related to swelling and prolonged healing in a secondary facelift are usually tied into the scarring from your original facelift and difficulty in dissection because of the scarring. Safety is the primary concern in all surgical procedures that I perform. Making sure that your surgical result is pleasing, meets your expectations, and complication free are all part of the operative plan.
Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld