An article published in the March 2013 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has indicated that after a decade of post-surgically receiving a facelift, it’s safe to have it done again to achieve similarly lasting results with little chance for complications.

The report cites, Dr. Rob Rohrich of the University of Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. He states,

“Secondary rhytidectomy is a safe and effective procedure for continued surgical facial rejuvenation in the aging patient.”

For the last 20 years, Dr. Rohrich had performed more than 800 surgical facelifts procedures. His findings showed that the average patient was in their early 50’s. The longevity of their facelifts lasted about 10 years before the effects of aging took over.

Many previous facelift patients worry that having a secondary facelift will alter their look to the point of being fake or over stretched. However, conservative results have shown an overall improvement of those patients that have opted to undergo a secondary facelift after a decade or more. However, some unique surgical techniques may be required to achieve best results. Dr. Rohrich advocates the importance of the Five R’s to facelifts which include:

• Resect
• Release
• Reshape
• Refill
• Redrape

These technicques will enable a plastic surgeon to properly and safely restore the youth and correct appearance of primary facelift.

Complications from secondary facelifts have the same chance having problems as those of a primary facelift when performed a decade later.

When considering a secondary facelift it’s important to talk with your plastic surgeon about realistic expectations and surgical outcomes.