The postman always rings twice. The facial plastic surgeon, only
sometimes. But the good news is that a
“secondary” facelift can produce results that last nearly as long as an initial facelift procedure.
According to Dr. Jason Diamond, MD, FACS in Beverly Hills, California, a
recent article in the March issue of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery®, the
official medical journal of the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons (ASPS),
provided valuable insight into the results of a “secondary” facelift performed
an average of a decade after an initial facelift surgery.
Of the 60 patients undergoing a second facelift
during the 20 year period of time covered by the study, 10 later underwent a
third facelift procedure. The time between the second and third procedures was
7.5 years which suggests that the results of the secondary facelift lasted
approximately as long as those of the initial procedure.
While individual results may vary, it is advisable
to visit a top-rated facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Jason Diamond to discuss
whether the secondary facelift (rhytidectomy) is right for you.
The complication rate after secondary rhytidectomy
was about five percent. Consistent with previous studies, the risk of
complications was about the same after secondary versus primary facelift
surgery. In contrast to some reports, there was no increase in the rate of
facial nerve injury after secondary facelift.
Dr. Jason Diamond reviews each procedure with each
of his patients, setting appropriate goals and expectations to ensure a safe
and successful surgery.
