Facelift Revision

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL

A facelift revision is a specialized procedure that corrects and improves the results of a previous facelift, as well as addresses any facial aging that may have occurred since then. (1)

A facelift revision uses precise techniques to restore your facial structure and shape—allowing you to correct each concern and achieve an appearance that truly feels authentic to you.

Dr. Karthik Shastri is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine who specializes in facial rejuvenation and facial reconstruction surgery. Dr. Shastri is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, demonstrating his dedication to performing to the highest standards.

To meet with Dr. Shastri and start discussing your treatment with him, please give us a call to reach our Glenview, Grayslake, or Lake Forest office.

About Facelift Revision

A facelift revision, also known as a secondary facelift, is a surgical procedure that can refine the results of a prior facelift. Dr. Shastri performs this procedure to address any deformities or irregularities that resulted from your previous procedures, address any new signs of visible aging, and help you improve any results you may not be happy with.

Benefits

Facelift revision offers several notable benefits, such as:

  • Restored Appearance: A facelift revision can correct the appearance of any irregular contours or deformities resulting from a previous procedure.
  • Improved Symmetry: This procedure can help address any imbalances or incomplete corrections across either side of the face.
  • Reduced Scaring: Dr. Shastri can perform a facelift revision to address any visible or poorly healed scarring, allowing for smoother skin.
  • Elevated Self-Esteem: You may experience improvements in your sense of self-confidence after finally achieving the results you originally wanted.
  • Personalized Treatment Plans: Dr. Shastri personalizes facelift revisions according to each patient’s medical history, goals, and pre-existing anatomy.
  • Lasting Results: The results of a revision facelift can last for several years, with many of Dr. Shastri’s patients experiencing their results for up to a decade.

Candidates

Facelift revisions are ideal for anyone interested in refining and correcting the results of a previous facelift, as well as any visible signs of aging that have developed since then. This procedure is especially effective when addressing concerns such as:

  • Hairline Distortions
  • Ear Deformities
  • Neck Banding
  • Poorly Healed Scars
  • Incomplete Corrections (2)

If you are interested in undergoing this procedure, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should also be a non-smoker or willing to quit using nicotine. Dr. Shastri will assess each patient’s candidacy during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Attending a personal consultation is the first step to enhancing your facial anatomy. During this consultation, Dr. Shastri will meet with you individually to discuss each aspect of your treatment. He will explain what a facelift revision is, how he performs them, and how they differ from primary facelifts. He will also perform a physical examination and ask you about your medical history, personal concerns, and aesthetic goals.

Dr. Shastri will use this discussion and evaluation to finalize your candidacy and create your personalized treatment plan. He will determine the most effective surgical strategies for your concerns, and he may recommend additional procedures that can enhance your results. As he does this, he will explain each step so that you have a full understanding of your procedure.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation and receive your own tailored plan, please give us a call.

Preparation

You will need to begin preparing for your facelift revision once you have scheduled it. To help you, Dr. Shastri will provide a full set of instructions, which may include:

  • Avoiding Specific Medications: Discontinue using any medications or supplements that may thin your blood.
  • Arranging Time Away: Prepare to take time away from your professional and personal responsibilities to allow your skin to heal.
  • Preparing Transportation: Have a trusted friend or family member drive you home after your procedure.
  • Filling Your Prescriptions: Before your facelift revision, pick up any medications you may need as you recover.
  • Abstaining From Substances: Avoid consuming any nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

Dr. Shastri performs each facelift revision on an outpatient basis at our accredited surgical center. On the day of your procedure, Dr. Shastri will meet with you one last time to reconfirm each detail of your treatment plan. A member of our team will then place you under general anesthesia.

Dr. Shastri will make an incision to access your underlying facial structures. He always strives to use the same incision placements as your primary procedure, but if this is not possible, he will make new ones in discreet locations. Dr. Shastri will then perform each of your corrections through these incisions. He may reshape or reposition soft tissues, strengthen your facial ligaments and muscles, elevate your neck and facial skin, and remove any excess skin or tissues. After carefully making these corrections, he will close each incision before you rest in our recovery suite.

Recovery

After your facelift revision, you may experience some swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the treated areas. These effects will subside on their own with time, but you may also manage them using prescription medications and plenty of rest. You can return to most of your daily activities after resting for approximately one to two weeks. However, you will need to refrain from any strenuous or laborious activities until Dr. Shastri has approved you to return.

Dr. Shastri will provide a full set of recovery instructions so you understand how to care for yourself as you heal. We ask that you follow each one closely, as aftercare is a key factor in achieving each of your desired results.

Results

You will be able to enjoy the full effects of your facelift revision once any residual swelling subsides and your facial tissues settle. Your exact results will depend on your original concerns, but you can expect to enjoy a more contoured and youthful-looking appearance that aligns with your aesthetic goals.

Corresponding Procedures

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are gel-like injectable treatments that can smooth visible signs of aging, improve facial volume, and augment certain features to improve your aesthetic appearance. Dermal fillers can be made from different materials and have different particle sizes and viscosities to address varying regions of the face, allowing you to target specific areas. These can pair nicely with a facelift if volume loss is contributing to an aged appearance.

Botox

Botox is an injectable formula that can smooth your skin to achieve a more youthful-looking appearance. This treatment is a neuromodulator, which means it relaxes the facial muscles responsible for the repeated contractions that create wrinkles, allowing your skin to smooth itself out. When patients get regular injections, they can prevent wrinkles from worsening or deepening—they may also be able to prevent new ones from forming. This treatment is temporary and wears off after about 3–4 months.

Cost of Facelift Revisions in Chicago, IL

Dr. Shastri personalizes each facelift revision to the patient, which means the cost of your procedure will vary. Once Dr. Shastri has met with you to discuss each detail of your treatment plan, he will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.

To learn more about our pricing, please give us a call.

FAQ

What is the difference between a primary facelift and a facelift revision?

A primary facelift is the initial facelift that a surgeon performs to elevate your appearance. In contrast, a facelift revision is a procedure that occurs after the primary to correct or refine its results.

Why would a patient want a facelift revision?

Dr. Shastri can perform facelift revisions to address less-than-satisfactory results from a previous facelift procedure or deformities that may have resulted from it. These often include concerns such as distortions around the hairline, ear deformities, neck pleats, recurrent neck banding, or poorly-healed scars.

Are facelift revisions more complex than primary facelifts?

Yes, plastic surgeons and other medical experts consider facelift revisions to be more complex procedures, as your surgeon will be operating on poorly healed and potentially scarred facial tissue.

Will my facelift revision leave new scars?

When he can, Dr. Shastri will use the same incision placements as your primary incisions to avoid creating new scars. If new incisions are necessary, Dr. Shastri will keep them in inconspicuous locations, and they will fade significantly as you heal.

How long will it take me to recover from my facelift revision?

Most of our patients can return to most of their daily activities after resting for one to two weeks; however, you will need to refrain from engaging in any strenuous activities until Dr. Shastri approves.

References

  1. Rasko YM, Beale E, Rohrich RJ. Secondary Rhytidectomy. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2012;130(6):1370-1378. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0b013e31826d9eea
  2. Dibbs RP, Chamata E, Ferry AM, Friedman JD. Revision Facelift and Neck Lift. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2021;35(02):088-097. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1727208