Edit. Elevate. Align.
A facelift that looked good on day one can change with time. Laxity returns sooner than expected. The neck softens. Hollow areas show up where volume was trimmed or lost. Scar position may bother you in certain lights. If this sounds familiar, you’re likely weighing what can be corrected and how to avoid the same issues next time. This page explains the revision facelift in clear terms: what it can correct, how Dr. William C. Harris plans the operation, what recovery looks like, and how a secondary lift can restore balance to your facial contours without a “re-done” look.
Dr. Harris is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills. His practice focuses on face and neck procedures only. That focus matters for revision surgery, where anatomy, scarring, and prior technique guide every decision.
Revision Facelift at Harris Facial Plastic Surgery
A revision facelift is performed within a few years of the initial facelift procedure—often in the one to five year window—to address concerns like residual sagging, scar placement, asymmetry, or results that didn’t meet expectations. It’s considered corrective surgery, requiring a high level of technical skill to work with scar tissue and previously altered facial anatomy.
Dr. Harris evaluates the face in motion and at rest, then studies how your first lift changed tissue planes. He looks at scar position, hairline shifts, earlobe shape, and how the SMAS and deep plane were handled. Many revision procedures benefit from a deep plane facelift approach. The deep plane works in the supportive layer under the skin, so both the skin and the deeper tissues move together. Releasing key ligaments and lifting the support layer softens nasolabial folds, defines the jawline, and tightens sagging skin without surface tension. That strategy often delivers natural results that hold up over time.
Volume is the other pillar. If the initial facelift procedure reduced fullness too aggressively—or if the natural aging process continued with weight change—facial fat grafting can rebuild the midface, prejowl area, and mouth corners. The goal isn’t “more”; it’s structure and light, placed with restraint.
A secondary facelift is planned 8–10 years or more after a successful first lift, when the natural aging process brings back laxity, jowling, or skin looseness. This procedure is performed eight or more years after the original surgery, primarily because of the natural aging process. Even the best facelift results won’t halt time, and facial tissues eventually show renewed laxity, jowling, or skin looseness. A secondary facelift restores a youthful appearance when the face once again begins to show signs of aging. Unlike revision, the goal isn’t to fix a prior issue but to refresh results that once looked excellent.
| Feature | Revision Facelift | Secondary Facelift |
| Timing | Performed within a few years of the initial facelift | Performed 8–12+ years after the initial facelift |
| Reason | Corrects issues such as asymmetry, lingering sagging skin, or unsatisfactory results from a prior facelift | Addresses natural signs of aging that return over time despite a successful first facelift |
| Focus | Refining or repairing previous surgical work | Refreshing and extending the results of the original surgery |
| Complexity | More complex due to scar tissue and altered anatomy | Less about repair, more about restoring youthfulness |
| Techniques | May involve scar revision, fat grafting, or advanced approaches like deep plane facelift to correct prior issues | Often similar to the original lift, sometimes combined with neck lift or facial fat grafting |
| Ideal Patient | Someone dissatisfied with results of a previous facelift or experiencing early recurrence of sagging | Someone happy with their first facelift but showing new aging changes after 8–12 years |
A revision facelift is about solving problems left behind by a prior surgery. Some patients notice asymmetry, lingering laxity, or scar placement that draws unwanted attention. Revision surgery aims to restore balance, soften irregularities, and give the face a more natural, harmonious look. Because scar tissue and altered anatomy make these cases more complex, choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience is critical.
Key benefits include:
A secondary facelift is different in purpose. It isn’t about fixing mistakes—it’s about maintaining results when time has passed and natural aging has returned. Even the best primary facelift can’t freeze facial tissues forever. A secondary lift restores definition, refines contours, and maintains facial harmony years after the original procedure.
Key benefits include:
Good candidates for a revision facelift in Beverly Hills have had a previous facelift (or mini facelift) and now see one or more of the following: early jowling, recurrent neck laxity, midface flattening, scars that draw the eye, or earlobe changes. Some patients never achieved their desired results with the initial procedure and want measured, structural improvement rather than a bigger pull.
Health and expectations matter. You should be medically cleared for a surgical procedure, at a stable weight, and committed to recovery instructions that minimize swelling and protect incisions. If you smoke or vape, you’ll be asked to stop well in advance. Blood-thinning medications and certain supplements are paused with your prescribing clinician’s guidance. Bring any operative notes or photos from the first lift; they help map the previous planes and plan a safer facelift revision.
Many patients ask about timing. A few weeks after an initial facelift is too early; tissues are still settling. Dr. Harris typically recommends waiting until the face and neck reach a new baseline. In practical terms, that’s months—not days—after the first operation. During your initial consultation, he’ll review timing and outline a plan that respects healing biology and your calendar.
These changes reflect descent in the deep support layers or limited work on the first pass. A deep plane release and lift improves the lower face without surface tension, sharpening the jaw in a way that looks at home on your features.
Vertical bands and a soft cervicomental angle call for focused platysmaplasty and a neck lift. Dr. Harris corrects the muscle bands, rebalances the midline, and restores definition under the chin.
Over-resection or weight loss can flatten the cheek. Facial fat grafting replaces structural volume, so light moves across the face again. The change is subtle on purpose, tuned to your facial anatomy.
A visible line that sits too high or a tethered earlobe draws attention. Scar revision, careful redraping, and earlobe repair can clean the outline and return a natural facial appearance.
When the first lift relied on surface pull, the skin could look tight without deeper support. A deep plane facelift revision shifts the work under the skin so both the skin and deep layers sit in balance.
Planning starts with listening. You’ll explain what bothers you, where you saw improvement, and what never felt right. Dr. Harris then examines the face and neck, notes scar paths and hairline shifts, checks nerve function, and tests skin quality. He studies how you animate—smile lines, lip pull, chin movement—because natural-looking results depend on real motion, not just still photos.
The plan is sequenced, often in this order:
You’ll review the map before surgery, so expectations and technique match.
Revision facelift surgery takes place in an accredited Beverly Hills setting with a board-certified anesthesia team, consistent with AAAASF/OR safety protocols. Most patients choose general anesthesia; selected cases can be done with deep sedation. Incisions trace or refine prior lines around the ear, tucked into natural curves to hide them in daily life.
Dr. Harris works in the deep plane under the SMAS to release key retaining ligaments and reposition the true support layer. This approach improves the lower face and midface with less dependence on skin tension. In the neck, he repairs the platysma through a small incision under the chin, corrects banding, and restores the angle under the jaw. If volume is thin through the cheek or prejowl, he places facial fat grafting in measured amounts to lift shadows and stabilize the contour.
Skin is then redraped without strain and sutured with fine stitches. Drains are placed only when needed. A light dressing supports the new shape as you wake and move to recovery. Total time varies with scope and any combined work; most patients return home the same day with detailed instructions.
Expect swelling and bruising across the lower face and neck in the first week. Stiffness is typical early on. A structured plan limits discomfort: head elevation, cool compresses, medication as directed, and early follow-ups. Dr. Harris gives you a clear list of activity limits to minimize swelling and protect deep work while it settles. Gentle walks are encouraged. Strenuous exercise waits until you’re cleared.
Sutures are removed in stages. Makeup covers most discoloration by two weeks for many patients. Sensation near the incisions takes time to normalize. You’ll notice steady refinement through weeks four to eight as swelling fades. The recovery period varies with the scope of revision and any multiple procedures performed; Dr. Harris will set expectations for your case at consultation.
Final shape continues to improve over several months as the facial skin relaxes into its new support. Patients often describe the change in simple terms: a jawline that reads clean again, a neck that looks consistent from every angle, and light that moves across the cheek without harsh shadows.
A traditional facelift or SMAS plication tightens the surface layer and folds or advances the SMAS without full release. It can help some faces, but in revision settings—where scarring and altered vectors exist—surface tension risks a pulled look or short-lived gain. A deep plane facelift releases the retaining ligaments and moves the deeper support as a unit. That reduces stress on the skin, improves heavy folds, and provides structure that behaves more like your younger support system. In revision cases, this difference often means a softer look at rest and a more stable outcome when you animate.
Revision surgery can be combined with targeted work if it supports balance:
Dr. Harris builds combinations only when they improve safety, proportion, and the likelihood of a stable, youthful appearance. If staging is wiser—due to prior scarring, skin quality, or your calendar—he’ll tell you.
Injectables and skin treatments can help maintain quality after surgery. Dermal fillers can fine-tune small shadows; neuromodulators keep certain lines quiet. Resurfacing methods improve texture and support collagen. These cosmetic procedures don’t replace a surgical lift when support is the issue, but they can extend the quality between operations and keep the skin in good condition as the aging process continues.
Pricing for a revision facelift in Beverly Hills varies with complexity: deep plane work, platysmaplasty, fat transfer, scar revision, and any combined procedures. Your detailed quote includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia with a board-certified provider, an accredited facility, supplies, and planned follow-ups. Revision work often takes longer than a primary facelift, so fees reflect added planning and operative time. You’ll receive a written estimate after your exam and surgical map. If you’re weighing financing, the office can review options during your visit.
William C. Harris, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist whose practice centers on the face and neck. He treats revision surgery as its own discipline: detailed analysis, modest incision design, deep plane correction, and measured volume where structure needs help. Patients value his calm, direct style and the predictable follow-up schedule that keeps recovery on track. In a city with many options, his work stands on quiet hallmarks—clean lines, balanced volume, and a natural appearance that reads well from every angle, in any light.
Start with a candid assessment. Bring prior operative notes and photos if you have them. Dr. Harris will examine the face and neck, explain what can be improved safely, and outline a plan that respects both your anatomy and your goals. Call (818) 501-3223 or request an appointment online to schedule your initial consultation for a revision facelift in Beverly Hills.
When jowls return early, the neck bands or soften again, scars or earlobes draw attention, or the facelift results never matched your goals. A consult defines what can be corrected and how.
Patients describe tightness more than pain. A structured medication plan, head elevation, and early follow-ups keep recovery manageable. Most return to daily tasks in a couple of weeks.
Plan two weeks of social downtime. Swelling improves steadily over the next month. Exercise resumes when cleared. Final refinement develops over several months.
Incisions follow natural curves around the ear and hairline. In many cases, prior scars are improved or repositioned. Scar care starts early to support quiet healing.
Yes. It can pair with a neck lift, mid facelift, or facial fat grafting when needed. Dr. Harris combines or stages procedures based on safety, proportion, and your goals.
It’s common in Los Angeles to see previous surgeries. Dr. Harris evaluates vascularity, scar paths, and nerve function, then plans a facelift revision procedure that puts safety first and targets high-value changes.
If you have under-treated areas or early relaxation after a mini facelift or primary lift, you may benefit from a focused secondary procedure. An exam will clarify timing and options.
If you are considering plastic surgery, choose the doctor who goes above and beyond for his patients. Dr. William Harris makes it his mission to deliver artful, innovative, and detailed surgical and non-surgical procedures to help you live more beautifully every day. Schedule a consultation today to start your journey.
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