Submitted by Dr. Harmych

Revision Facelift | Cleveland, OH

Revision Facelift is commonly performed by Dr. Harmych. Dr. Harmych is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon, specializing in Facelift and Revision Facelift. Dr. Harmych is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Harmych focuses exclusively on facial plastic surgery procedures, such as revision facelift, deep plane facelift and revision neck lift.

Dr. Harmych is a recognized authority in all types of facelift procedures, including revision facelift and revision neck lift. Since Dr. Harmych performs a high volume of facelift procedures, it is our goal to make sure your experience not only meets, but exceeds your expectations – for both results and overall experience. Please contact us if you have additional questions or would like to learn more.

What is Revision Facelift?

Revision facelift, or secondary facelift, is necessary when the either a poor result or a complication occurs following a primary facelift procedure.

How often is Revision Facelift necessary?

Approximately 1-2% of all patients undergoing primary facelift surgery will require a secondary, or revision, facelift. Dr. Harmych is an experienced facelift surgeon and a reputable authority in this field. In Dr. Harmych’s practice, the risk of revision facelift is less than 1%.

Does Dr. Harmych perform many Revision Facelift operations?

Yes. Approximately 20% of all Dr. Harmych’s facelift cases are revision facelift. Dr. Harmych’s rate of revision facelift (for his own patients) is less than 1%.

What are the risk factors for Revision Facelift Surgery?

The two most common reasons why a patient may require revision facelift are (1) choosing the incorrect procedure, usually a procedure that is too minimal to completely address the patients needs and produce a satisfactory result, and (2) choosing an inexperienced surgeon that does not perform enough facelift surgery. Patients are often apprehensive about undergoing a procedure that sounds “too invasive” because they are worried about the surgery looking obvious or being “pulled too tight”. So, they seek out treatments labeled as minimally invasive with minimal downtime, minimal pain and minimal cost. Unfortunately, many of the procedures that are marketed and sold as such are minimally effective and may not adequately address their concerns, leaving them dissatisfied. Dr. Harmych is an experienced facelift surgeon who performs a high volume of facelift operations. Dr. Harmych can guide you in choosing the right procedure to achieve your goals. In Dr. Harmych’s experience the risk of revision, or secondary, surgery is less than 1%.

Indications for revision facelift

Poorly positioned facelift incisions

The facelift incisions should be inconspicuous, hidden in the natural creases around the ear, behind the tragal cartilage, and disguised within, or at, the hairline. Dr. Harmych has performed revision surgery to correct poorly placed incisions. Common issues include, incisions place too far in front of the ear, incisions placed to far from the earlobe crease or hairline to hide well. Examples of poorly positioned facelift incisions are shown below.

Facelift incisions affected by keloids or hypertrophic scarring

Patients with a history of excessive scarring, such as keloid formation, are not good candidates for facelift or neck lift surgery. However, Dr. Harmych has performed revision facelift in patients that, in spite of a known history of keloids, underwent a facelift procedure by other surgeons. Often, The keloid is so extensive that a revision facelift is necessary to close the skin without tension. Patients undergoing revision facelift for hypertrophic scarring require long term follow up for surveillance as keloids are known to recur. These patient often require scar treatments, such as steroid injection, to prevent the problem from recurring.

Contour irregularities and pleating of the skin

In most types of facelift operations, both the skin and deeper muscle and fascia tissue (SMAS tissue) must be moved. The are often moved independent of one another and often in different vectors or directions. In technical surgical terms, the tissues are advanced and rotated. If the rotation and advancement of either the deeper tissues or the skin is performed incorrectly, the patient may have noticeable changes, such as pleating, unusual folding, or gathering of the skin. Skin deformities are also often referred to as “dog ear deformities”. These are commonly seen in the submental area, as a consequence of platysmaplasty (or submentoplasty), often when patients choose this procedure as a “less-invasive” method of improving sagging skin in the neck. Patients with advanced aging and sagging skin in the neck with platysmal banding generally require both platysmaplasty and facelift. Platysmaplasty is too limited and ineffective as an isolated procedure for patients with severe aging in the neck. These patients often require revision facelift to achieve satisfactory results.

Recurrence of sagging neck skin or jowling

Often, recurrence of sagging neck skin and jowls is a result of neglecting to adequately reposition the deeper muscle and fascia (SMAS tissues). This is quite common for procedures that are designed as “skin-only” facelift operations, in which only the skin (and not the deep SMAS tissues) are lifted. These “skin only” procedures are often marketed as mini facelifts and sometimes even performed under general anesthesia.

Undergoing an inappropriate procedure

Since patients often want the least invasive, least expensive option that has the least amount of downtime, they often opt for less invasive and consequently, less effective procedures. However, sometime facial aging requires more advanced procedures than what patients initially think they need. One of the most common reasons why a patient may require secondary, or revision, facelift is undergoing a primary facelift procedure that was not advanced enough to fully address their needs. Many of these less invasive procedures are marketed as “mini facelift“. Unfortunately, many of these “mini” procedures do not fully address the deep tissues of the neck, such as the SMAS layer, and are destined to fail within a few months to years.

Timing of revision facelift

As a general rule, a person should wait at least 12 months prior to undergoing revision facelift. Some facelift complications may require revision prior to this time frame. Although, these issues are dealt with on a case by case basis.

Decreasing risk of revision facelift?

• Choose an experienced surgeon, that is board-certified in facial plastic surgery, and does a high volume of facelift procedures.
• Review many facelift before and after photographs
• Ask the surgeon how many of their own revisions / secondary surgery they do. A rate (surgeons own revision) higher than 1-2% should raise concern.
• Avoid facelift procedures that are minimally invasive, performed under local anesthesia, or procedures estimated for less than 3-5 hours. Even the most skilled facelift surgeons take 3-5 hours to perform a facelift procedure.

Considerations for revision facelift

Any procedure must be carefully selected and tailored for the unique needs of each person. Dr. Harmych is very honest and comforting when discussing his assessment of your facial aging, options for nonsurgical and surgical treatments and any limitations of treatments. With a complete understanding of your specific situation, you will feel comfortable proceeding with the most beneficial treatment option to help you achieve your desired results.

Keep in mind that all facial “lifting” procedures (including Facelift, Mini Facelift, Neck Lift, Deep Plane Facelift, SMAS lift, and others) all improve:

• Sagging skin in the neck
• Jowling
• Cheeks and nasolabial folds

Who is a Candidate for Revision Facelift?

Patients who are dissatisfied with the results of their primary facelift operation or patients whose facelift results did not last as long as expected may be candidates for revision facelift. If your primary facelift procedure was performed in beyond 10-15 years prior, you may be a candidate for revision, or secondary surgery.

Facelift Before and After Photos | Cleveland, Ohio

How is Revision Facelift Performed?

Revision facelift is usually done with general anesthesia. There may be some cases in which local anesthesia may be appropriate. Atlhough, this is rare.

Revision facelift can be performed with other surgical treatments such as eyelid surgery, laser skin resurfacing, chin implant or fat transplantation.

How long will the results of a Revision Facelift last?

Revision facelift results are permanent.

Revision facelift cost

Average cost of Revision facelift in Ohio is $11,300 with a range between $6500 and $25,000 (as reported by RealSelf). Dr. Harmych’s patients could expect the total cost to be within this range. Revision facelift is sometime more expensive than neck lift and facelift. The cost of revision facelift is northeast Ohio with vary based on surgeon experience, complexity, type of anesthesia and additional procedures.

Revision facelift recovery

Revision facelift is done on an outpatient basis. A gentle cotton dressing is worn for the first 24 hours. Many patients say that revision facelift was “not as bad” as the primary facelift procedure. There are usually no drains. Prescription pain medication may be required for 1-3 days. Mild discomfort, numbness, tightness and bruising may last several weeks. After 10-12 days, almost all patients feel confident returning to work and social activity. Most patients may resume full activity in about 3-4 weeks.

Learning more about Revision Facelift

Those considering revision facelift should carefully evaluate their surgeon’s training and credentials. Dr. Brian Harmych is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and is one of the only fellowship-trained Facial Plastic & Reconstructive revision facelift and neck lift surgeons in the Cleveland area. He has the knowledge and expertise to offer the best results.  Schedule a consultation with Dr. Harmych and learn more about your options for Revision Facelift in Cleveland, Ohio.

Services provided from the Cleveland office

Harmych Facial Plastic Surgery performs procedures and treatments on all areas of the face and neck including:

• Rhinoplasty (nose job)
• Earlobe Repair
• Eyelid Surgery
• Botox
• Lip Injection
• Otoplasty

Where should I go for Revision Facelift in northeast Ohio?

Harmych Facial Plastic Surgery is located in Beachwood, Ohio and proudly serves Cleveland and all of northeast Ohio. Schedule a consultation at our Beachwood location and see if either Revision Facelift is a good option for you.