Is a Revision Facelift Painful?

You will be under general anesthesia for the duration of the surgery so that you won’t feel any pain. Many of our Washington, DC, patients are pleasantly surprised at how manageable the recovery period is. You are prescribed strong pain medication to help you tolerate the swelling and bruising, which is more uncomfortable than painful. If you experience any unusual pain, please contact our office immediately.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You’ll likely need 6-8 appointments over several months. After your initial consultation and surgical appointment, you will need to return to our office for a series of check-in appointments. These are a necessary part of the journey because Dr. Economides will need to remove bandages, check incision sites, remove sutures, and monitor your healing.

How Long Until I See Results?

Since your face will be swollen and bruised for the first couple of weeks, you won’t be able to see much improvement for about 2-4 weeks. As your tissues continue to heal and your swelling and bruising subside, you’ll slowly see your results improve over several weeks, with final results typically reaching around the 3 to 6-month mark.

How Soon Can I Travel After a Revision Facelift?

This is a common question, especially for individuals who flew into Washington, DC, for their revision facelift. It’s critical not to fly too soon after your surgery, as this can cause increased bleeding, swelling, bruising, and deep vein thrombosis. We recommend waiting at least 10-14 days before short flights and 4-6 weeks before long flights. You can go on short car rides within 5 to 10 days. Always make sure to get up and stretch every hour to promote blood circulation.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Revision Facelift?

Some of the risks you may encounter after your revision facelift include the following: Swelling Bruising Bleeding Abnormal scarring Infection Asymmetry Facial nerve damage Contour irregularities Hairline distortion

Revision Facelift

Chevy Chase, MD

Restore Previous Results

Introduction to Revision Facelift in Chevy Chase, MD

Whether you are looking to restore your youthful facial contours for a second time or correct unsatisfactory results of a previous facelift, you can achieve an incredible facial rejuvenation at Ikon Plastic Surgery with a revision facelift.

Here in Chevy Chase, MD, Dr. James M. Economides serves patients across the Washington, DC, area looking to refresh their youthful facial appearance with natural-looking, long-lasting results. He always personalizes each revision facelift to match his patients’ specific needs and goals so that they can have a one-of-a-kind experience.

Learn more about the revision facelift by reading below, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Economides to see if you qualify!

Mature woman with blonde hair in white tank top touching face, contemplating cosmetic procedure - in Chevy Chase, MD

What is a Revision Facelift?

A revision facelift, or secondary facelift, is a cosmetic procedure performed to correct, update, or improve the results of a previous facelift. The procedure addresses any outcomes from the previous surgery that the patient doesn’t enjoy. This can be due to a change in aesthetic preferences, a refresh of their youthful facial contours, or features that did not heal properly.

This procedure can only be performed by a plastic surgeon with extensive experience, as they are navigating tissue and anatomy that has already been altered. Dr. Economides has successfully performed this procedure thousands of times, building trust with his patients.

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Revision Facelift?

The best candidates for a revision facelift should be in the Washington, DC, area, although many patients travel from outside the area seeking Dr. Economides’ expertise. Here are some qualities the best revision facelift candidates share:

You have fully recovered from a previous facelift
You are dissatisfied with the results of your previous facelift
You want to refresh your facial appearance to achieve a more youthful look
You have physical signs of aging, such as sagging skin, deep folds and wrinkles, and jowling
You have good overall health and do not smoke
You have reasonable expectations for the outcomes of the procedure

What Are the Benefits of a Revision Facelift?

A revision facelift performed by Dr. Economides helps our Washington, DC, patients achieve several benefits. Some of the benefits our patients enjoy the most are:

Boost in confidence
Smoother skin
Defined facial features
A more sculpted jawline
More natural-looking, youthful appearance
Youthful contours
Reduced jowling
Removal of excess skin and fat

Professional woman in black blazer discussing documents with client across wooden table in office setting - in Chevy Chase, MD

How to Begin Your Revision Facelift Journey

To begin your revision facelift journey, schedule a consultation with Dr. Economides at Ikon Plastic Surgery. Our office is in Chevy Chase, MD, just outside Washington, DC. The consultation will involve the following:

Share your current aesthetic goals with Dr. Economides
Discuss the results of your previous facelift as Dr. Economides examines your facial features, neck, and skin quality
Review your medical history and the details of your previous facelift
Discuss the possibility of adding additional procedures
Create a unique treatment plan that matches your current goals and preferences

You may ask questions at any time to ensure you completely understand the procedure.

What to Expect on the Day of Revision Facelift Surgery

When you arrive at our surgical facility in Chevy Chase, MD, just outside Washington, DC, you will be warmly greeted by our team, who will check that you have arranged for someone to pick you up after your surgery.

You’ll be led to an operating room and review your treatment plan with Dr. Economides. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have. Dr. Economides will make lines with a surgical pen, typically along the same lines as your initial facelift, such as hidden in the hairline around the temples, wrapping around the front of the ears, and finishing in the lower scalp. This minimizes scarring and ensures the incisions are accurate and precise.

The procedure begins with our anesthesiologist administering general anesthesia, putting you into a deep state of relaxation. Dr. Economides will create the incisions along the marked lines, reposition the underlying tissues, and strategically remove or redrape excess skin and fat. Then, he’ll close the incisions with sutures to tighten the deeper facial tissues.

Surgical bandages will be wrapped around your head to minimize swelling. You’ll wake up in a recovery room and be given time to adjust to the grogginess from the anesthesia before going home.

Doctor James Economides in white coat reviewing medical information on laptop at modern clinic desk - in Chevy Chase, MD

Combining My Revision Facelift with Other Procedures

During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to share all of your aesthetic goals and concerns. While a revision facelift produces exceptional results in the mid- and lower face, you can combine it with other procedures to achieve total facial rejuvenation. Some procedures frequently combined with a revision facelift include:

A brow lift repositions your forehead, reduces wrinkles, and lifts sagging skin to rejuvenate the upper third of your face. It is an excellent procedure to combine with a revision facelift, as it helps achieve balanced facial proportions.

Brow Lift Recovery

Immediately After Surgery

After your facelift revision, your face will be wrapped in surgical bandages to help minimize swelling and support healing tissues. Swelling, bruising, and soreness are expected during the first several days; spend this time resting and taking your prescribed pain medication as directed. Because revision surgery involves working through existing scar tissue, recovery may take slightly longer than it did after your primary facelift.

The First Week

Rest with your head elevated while sleeping or relaxing to help reduce swelling. Continue drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced, nutritious diet to support healthy tissue repair and wound healing. It’s also important to avoid direct sun exposure during the first 1 to 2 weeks, as heat can increase postoperative swelling.

Weeks 2-4

Light walking is encouraged within the first couple of days to promote healthy circulation, but strenuous exercise should still be avoided. Swelling and bruising will continue to improve as your tissues heal, and you’ll attend follow-up appointments so Dr. Economides can monitor your progress and ensure your recovery is on track.

Months 4-6 and Beyond

Most patients can gradually resume more strenuous exercise after about 4 to 6 weeks, depending on their healing progress and Dr. Economides’ recommendations. As swelling continues to resolve over the following months, your refined facial contours become increasingly visible, revealing the refreshed, natural-looking results of your revision facelift.

How Much Does a Revision Facelift Cost in Washington, DC?

The cost of a revision facelift in Chevy Chase, MD, and Washington, DC, depends on the extent of the procedure, how many additional procedures you combine with it, whether general anesthesia is required, facility fees, and the provider’s experience.

You’ll go over the cost in detail during your consultation, and you can discuss financing options with one of our patient coordinators to find a solution that works for you.

Why Choose Dr. Economides?

At Ikon Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics, Dr. James M. Economides has a depth of knowledge that translates directly into patient care — attentive, accurate, and always personal. His mission is simple: help patients look and feel like the most refined version of themself. He always takes a personalized, patient-focused approach, deeply evaluating your goals, facial anatomy after your first facelift, and any additional procedures you’d like to combine.

Dr. Economides is Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a proud Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and has been recognized as a Top Doctor every year since 2019, reflecting not only his technical excellence but the level of trust his patients consistently place in him.