Mr Christopher West, plastic surgeon Book a consultation
Mr Christopher West in blue scrubs and a red theatre cap in an operating theatre.

Revision face and neck lift

For patients who want to refresh an earlier facelift or improve its result.

Book a consultation Questions and answers

The operation

Modern facelift techniques give long-lasting results when done well, but they cannot stop the signs of ageing. For this reason many people choose to have another facelift when the signs of ageing have returned. In other situations, patients may not be happy with the early results of facelift surgery and want early improvement or correction. Revision surgery, whatever the reason, is challenging and should only be performed by surgeons experienced in it.

As with primary surgery, Mr West's favoured technique in revision cases is a deep plane facelift and neck lift. It can avoid much of the scarring associated with the first operation and allows greater release of the tissues and tension-free suspension, giving a natural, long-lasting result.

It also allows deeper structures to be treated that might have been missed during the first operation, including deep fat, muscles and the salivary glands. Mr West has spent extra time training with leading surgeons from across the globe in revision extended deep plane face and neck lift surgery.

In theatre
4 to 5 hours
Anaesthetic
General or deep sedation
Downtime
2 to 3 weeks
Exercise
3 to 4 weeks
Suited to
An ageing face, jowls, sagging or loose skin, facial descent or being unhappy with previous surgery.
How it works
Full release of the deep ligaments allows a tension-free, natural lift, combined with deep reduction of the neck structures.
The result
Long-lasting, natural facial rejuvenation.
The operating lights above the theatre table.

Step by step

From the first consultation to your recovery.

  1. Your consultation

    Book a consultation online or call the team. Consultations are in York and Leeds, with virtual consultations for patients travelling from further afield.

  2. The day of surgery

    You will meet the consultant anaesthetist, who will discuss the anaesthetic with you.

    Once in theatre and asleep, Mr West marks the planned incisions carefully. Through incisions in the hairline and around the ear, the skin and superficial fat are lifted off the SMAS layer. Dissection then continues in the deep plane below the SMAS to free the tissue further before stitches secure the lift.

    Excess skin is removed before the skin is closed with small sutures. Temporary drains are placed and removed before you leave. Antibiotic ointment is applied to the incisions and a compression garment is fitted.

  3. Recovery

    Following surgery you will be transferred to the dedicated recovery area, where you will be looked after by our expert staff. Once you are awake and feeling well we will make sure all aftercare is explained and follow-up appointments are arranged before you leave.

What patients say

Reviews from Mr West's Google profile, published as written.

Read every review on Google

Frequently asked questions

The questions patients ask most often. Anything specific to one patient is covered at the consultation.

What is the difference between a VR lift, a face and neck lift and a deep plane face and neck lift?

The VR or short scar facelift is designed to treat moderate jowls and laxity of the lower face. It is not the best procedure for neck laxity. A face and neck lift is an extension of the short scar facelift where the scar extends behind the ear. This allows the structures of the neck to be tightened and lifted and is the main difference between the two. A deep plane facelift uses the same scars as a face and neck lift, but the dissection goes under the SMAS layer into the deep plane to lift the facial structures.

What are the follow-up or aftercare procedures?

Sutures are removed after 10 days and scar massage begins after 2 weeks. A further review appointment is usually made 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Mr West and the team will be on hand to help and support you with your recovery.

How long do the results last?

Plastic surgery cannot stop the ageing process. It resets the clock, so after surgery you will age in a similar way from a much younger starting point.

When can I start playing sports again?

Light activity is fine after 2 weeks. Vigorous exercise should be avoided for at least 4 weeks. Anything that makes your face red, such as bending over or lifting anything heavy, should be avoided for the first 3 weeks.

When can I wash my hair?

Hair can be gently washed the day after surgery using a mild shampoo.

Book a consultation

A consultation with Mr West covers the anatomy, what surgery can realistically achieve and the risks involved. A fixed written quote follows afterwards.

Surgery is only planned after this assessment, with time to reflect before any decision. Virtual consultations are available for patients travelling from further afield.

Book a consultation
A patient is welcomed at the reception desk of the Coppergate Clinic in York.