Rhytidectomy, also known as “facelift” or “face-lift”, is a complex surgical procedure designed to release and reposition the soft tissues of the face, and to remove excess skin and fat. The combined effect of this procedure should be natural-appearing rejuvenation – restoring the patient’s face to a more youthful state. Depending on the approach used and the demands of each patient’s unique anatomy and aging process, however, results will not last forever. For patients who have already undergone a facelift elsewhere and who have experienced a recurrence of sagging or drooping jowls and neck, Dr. Ransom offers a secondary facelift.

Dr. Ransom tailors his facelift approach to the specific anatomy of each patient, and works closely with each individual to satisfy specific goals – all the while making sure that, in the end, “you still look like you” …just a younger, more vibrant “you”! Dr. Ransom is a specialist in revision plastic surgery and revision facelift surgery. Despite an overall improvement in the facial contours, having a facelift cannot stop the passage of time. As such, some patients will require a second – and typically more limited – facelift, sometimes referred to as a “tuck up”.

A variety of approaches can be used in secondary rhytidectomy, and Dr. Ransom specifically targets the areas that need rejuvenation or refinement This helps to limit the total amount of surgery and promotes a faster recovery. In cases where significant correction of an inadequate or unsatisfactory primary facelift is needed, a revision rhytidectomy (revision facelift) may be required. This is especially true when patients have had skin-only facelifts, which can lead to an unaesthetic facial contour and early recurrence of jowls and drooping neck tissues.

A secondary facelift may be performed under conscious sedation and can be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures (such as upper and lower eyelid lift, lip lift, or implants) and skin resurfacing (such as lasers). After the procedure, the face will appear puffy or swollen. A soft cotton dressing is used to wrap the face and neck for about 24 hours, after which a light bandage may be applied. Some bruising will occur, but pain is limited. Patients are generally able to return to work in about a week, though direct or prolonged sun exposure should be avoided during the healing process. For more information about revision rhytidectomy, please contact Dr. Ransom or schedule your confidential consultation today!

Who is a candidate?

Patients who have already had a facelift may undergo a secondary facelift. These patients typically were satisfied with the results of their first facelift, but have continued to age and experienced some recurrence of drooping skin, neck bands, or jowls. Depending on your age and the type of facelift that you had, this recurrence is often a few years or even a decade later. Most secondary facelifts are less invasive than the primary surgery. Patients who have had a facelift more recently and are not happy with the results or feel that there could be more improvement may require a revision facelift (please see the Revision Facelift page). Dr. Ransom would be happy to discuss options with you during your confidential consultation. Please call today to schedule.

Dr. Evan Ransom is an Ivy League-educated and Ivy League trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He is a Double Board Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and fellowship-trained in facial plastic, reconstructive, and laser surgery. His practice is in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving patients from San Francisco, Oakland, Marin County, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, Walnut Creek, the East Bay, and all over Northern California.