Fillers After Face Lift?

Question

I had a Face Lift and Neck Lift 2 months ago. Fat injections were also part of the Face Lift. I had a complication where one cheek got swollen and the fluid had to be aspirated. I think some of the fat was aspirated as well, as it looked like liquid fat in the syringe.

	Now, I have indents in that cheek. It's been six weeks since the aspiration and everything else looks great, but the indents seem here to stay. I had fillers (Restylane and Juvederm) before the Face Lift and they worked fine. Is it possible to fix this with fillers now? If not, how long do I have to wait? Are there any risks to having fillers after a Face Lift?

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Most of the fillers used now last quite a while.  Swelling after a facelift, on the other hand, changes almost weekly.  The risk is that you could use a hyaluronic acid filler and then the swelling might change.  The hyaluronic acid filler will then be excessive in the area it was injected.
If there is one particular area that is really objectionable, it may be reasonable to put a shorter acting filler such as Prevelle in to minimize this risk but still deal with asymmetries or "dents".
Your plastic surgeon can guide you through the decision process.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Fillers following a face lift makes perfect sense. This is because  you age by three factors - sagging (through gravity and time), loss of volume (counteracted by fillers), and skin texture (determined by environmental and genetic factors). Your fillers should enhance your effect of the lifting if placed appropriately by addressing one of the causes of aging..Most often one of these factors are more out of balance than another and therefore your procedures should customize for what is most needed. Often fillers alone can "stall" the inevitable as they only correct one aspect of aging.

	Facelift and Skin resurfacing procedures (laser, Ulthera or Thermage ) and fillers are synergistic so as long as you wait until the Sculptra injection site is soft you should do fine. Not a problem and there is no problem with the timing for a facelift. Sculptra, Radiesse, Jeuvederm, Restylane and other fillers address volume issues, resurfacing procedures corrects surface flaws associated with aging and face lifting addresses the sagging loose skin. Resurfacing procedures address skin texture, color variation (e.g. sun spots)- so all three are synergistic and complementary. It is very common in my practice to do all three approaches to rejuvenation at the same time

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Your face will continue to change for at least 6 months after your surgery. I suggest that you wait until your face has "settled" and not changed for at  least a month and then consider injectable fillers. Best of Luck,  Dr. Clevens

Alejandro J. Quiroz, MD · Answer

It is not unusual to have this indentaton in your face after you have fluid collected under your skin.  You can inyect restylene or juviderm if it is extremily  uncanforable for you but most likely it will desapear with time.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

It is entirely possible to correct deficiencies in the cheek and mid face with fillers. Some fillers can last a year and others can last several years but require multiple treatments. After several months, it should be safe to proceed.

Andrew T. Lyos, MD, FACS · Answer

The healing process takes months after a face and neck lift. It is not uncommon for one side to be slightly delayed compared to the other. This is especially true when one side had a small fluid collection. Fluid collections typically are either seromas or small blood collections (hematomas). When aspirated, there is commonly a small depression which improves with time. As you are 2 months post-operatively, I would recommend conservative management with message. Most of these irregularities improve with time and I advise patience. You should wait before having any filler injected until there is no day to day fluctuations in swelling and you facial appearance has not changed for a month or so. I generally recommend waiting 5 to 6 months prior to considering any treatment. If a filler is required, I would use a shorter acting hyaluronic acid (HA) product such as Prevelle. If there is still a contour deformity once the Prevelle has gone away, I would consider fat transfer.

	I would discussing your concerns with your surgeon.

	Best Regards, Andrew Lyos, MD, FACS

Fillers After Face Lift?

Answers (15)

Answer: Fillers after facelift

Answer: Fillers after facelift

Answer: Fillers Following Face Lift Makes Sense for most

Answer: Fillers Following Face Lift Makes Sense for most

Answer: I Suggest Waiting

Answer: I Suggest Waiting

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Answer: Neck lift

Answer: Neck lift

Answer: Correcting depressions after a facelift

Answer: Correcting depressions after a facelift

Answer: Healing after a face and neck lift

Answer: Healing after a face and neck lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Fillers After Face Lift?

Answers (15)

Answer: Fillers after facelift

Answer: Fillers after facelift

Answer: Fillers Following Face Lift Makes Sense for most

Answer: Fillers Following Face Lift Makes Sense for most

Answer: I Suggest Waiting

Answer: I Suggest Waiting

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Answer: Neck lift

Answer: Neck lift

Answer: Correcting depressions after a facelift

Answer: Correcting depressions after a facelift

Answer: Healing after a face and neck lift

Answer: Healing after a face and neck lift

Browse related questions

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.