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Brent Moelleken, MD answers: Skin discoloration after a MAC facelift

I had a mid-face lift in Argentina last year and they used the "MAC" or "MC" procedure. For almost 1 year I had discolorations that ran along both sides of my cheeks and down to just under my chin -- I imagine this is the path of the "purse stitches" used.

Mid-way through this healing period I went to another plastic surgeon, and he recommended a retinol topical cream -- but I can still see the line of the stitches.

Is there any way to correct his.  What should I do from here?  I will NEVER go offshore for another surgery -- but that is a whole separate story!


Brent Moelleken, MD
12 months ago

The good news is that your surgery has had sufficiently long so that your results are likely to be permanent.  That means that you are probably a candidate now for any revision procedures.

The solution to your problem depends on what exactly is going on.

In order to determine what your next step is, you should obtain a copy of your medical records, in their entirety.  Next, you should go to a plastic surgeon highly skilled in revision plastic surgery.  That surgeon should analyze you and your records carefully before proceeding with any firm recommendations.  You may even want to have more than one opinion.  It would simply be premature to you to render an opinion based on an internet posting, especially with no photographs.

The best solution to your problem might be as simple as applying a cream to as complex as having revision surgery with removal of the spanning sutures, performance of corrective lifts, revision of scars, etc.

As you have discovered, you are wise to avoid surgery in places where you are not protected by the laws and medical standards that offer significant protections to patients here. 

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