Remove cheek filler before facelift? (Photo)

Question

Last year when I turned 40 everyone said i looked 25 but in just a few short months my cheeks fell and I developed jowls. I gott cheek filler but now want a facelift. Should i remove the filler before the facelift and lower bleph?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Yes, fillers are likely the cause of your jowls. At first fillers can be good. The problem is that most commonly used so-called “smooth” fillers drift after placement. They tend to drift down the face. They can drift as low as the jawline. Unwanted volume there makes you look older. On top of this, old filler do not simply disappear after 12 months. They tend to persist for many, many years. As they age, they are slowly broken down. In the process, they hold more water volume due to the changing composition of the filler, this extra volume does not look right. This extra volume in the lower face makes us look older. The solution is to remove all old hyaluronic acid filler. I believe when you do this, you will immediately realize that you don’t need a facelift.

Charles Chalekson, MD · Answer

Hello Practical432323!We request our facelift patients to not have filler within a year of having their face consultation to determine the best treatment plan for them. There are several modalities that can be reasonable and effective solutions prior to a facelift. I suggest you wait a year after your filler dissolves and then see a couple of trusted board certified plastic surgeons that offer a variety of services such as filler, fat grafting, Renuvion, Ellacore, and facelift options. They should discuss your areas of concern, provide you with options that may work for you to provide optimal results with the downtime, budget and degree of correction that works for you.

Mark G. Albert, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question. I highly recommend removing all filler prior to facelift (ideally 1.5-3 months prior) to get you back to a blank canvas and maximize your facelift/bleph result. The facelift can be done wide awake using local anesthesia and oral medications to help you relax. Patients do incredibly well with this and it avoids the side effects of general anesthesia.
Mark G. Albert, M.D., F.A.C.S.New York, NY

Cem Berkay Sinaci, MD · Answer

If you have that chance, It would be better to reposition the soft tissues during the operation and give the volume back with fat grafting at the same time. The fillers can be melted in a couple of hours, so that is also possible to do it one day before the surgery.

Andrew L. Greensmith, MBChB, FRACS · Answer

It is much better to have the filler remoced before a facelift as it makes thet tissue planes more normal and easier for the surgeon to work in . In addition fillers can cause significant lymphatic obstruction and so this means that patients experience more post facelift surgeyr swelling

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

I don't believe it is necessary to remove the cheek  filler before facelift surgery. Many surgeons including myself will recommend fat grafting or cheek implants as part of the facelift surgery. Facelift surgery includes restoration of lost volume and sagging. Discuss these considerations with your surgeon.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I would not see any reason to have the cheek filler removed before having a facelift.  The surgery for the facelift should be able to be performed with the cheek filler in place.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

You do not have to remove cheek filler before having a facelift.  I see facial fillers all the time when performing facelifts and it dos not require removal preoperatively. Consult with a Facial Plastic Surgeon before making any decisions.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, remove the cheek filler before getting a facelift. Fat transfers might be something that could be added during your lift if desired.

Jeffrey S. Yager, MD · Answer

Personally, I would not require a patient to remove filler prior to surgery. I just have to be aware of it so I can adjust. Others surgeons like to have all out as they feel they can be more accurate. Ask your surgeon.

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