Does cauterizing underneath face after a facelift cause dents in the cheeks?

Appropriate use of cautery in a facelift does not cause dimpling etc. Only excessive cautery or improper dissection technique can cause that. RegardsDr. J

Thank you for your question. It is not common for cautery to cause dents after a face lift. I would advise you to follow up with your original surgeon.

How would a surgeon cauterize under your face after a facelift?  Do you mean cauterize during a facelift?  Cautery is necessary for most patients undergoing a facelift although every once in a while I have encountered a patient that didn't need any cautery in my over 3000 facelift patients.

Thank you for your question. It is difficult to figure out what could be causing the contour irregularities you are describing without a physical exam or pictures. Often times, contour irregularities are due to fat, scar tissue, sutures, etc. Your surgeon should be able to give you more information. Hope that helps! 

There are a whole number if things that can cause dents in a facelift.  Using cautery is the least likely.  Insufficient undermining, liposuction of the cheeks, or fat injections are far more likely.  Almost all dents go away after a few months.  If any remain I think that completely redoing the side with the dent is far more likely to work than injecting fat.

Cauterizing under the skin during a facelift should not cause any dents to appear. Dents can be caused by the actual lift where tissue bunches above what would be considered a dent along the cheek in front of the upper ear. If that is the area, it will resolve on it's own within a few weeks to at most a couple months. If that is not the area, see your surgeon and discuss your concerns. Sometimes just placing filler in the area can allow for remodeling of the tissue and give you a permanent solution.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Rejuvenation SpecialistQuintessa

It is not common for cautery to cause dents after a face lift. Contour deformities after face lifting in the cheek can result from many aspects of the surgery. The dents may be normal result from facial swelling in the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. At months months post operation the cause of large indentations may be caused by tight skin  relative to the underlying facial volume. The facial tissue maybe lifted in such a way that an indentation has formed where is was not present prior to surgery. It could also be that more skin needs to be released. Its best to return to your surgeon and review prior photographs from before surgery as well during your healing process. 

Cauterizing underneath the skin flaps does not usually lead to dents. There are many reasons for dents to arise.  Best to post photos and/or speak to your surgeon.

Cauterizing underneath the face during a facelift in itself should not cause dents. Dents are created when fat is removed unevenly below the skin, the dissection plane is irregular, or if the SMAS layer is not properly tightened and sutured. Most dents can be fixed with fat transfer or fillers however this is best determined during an in-office evaluation. Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

 And in-Person examination is going be required to look at  the dents in the cheeks.  Fat necrosis can be caused from a variety of issues such as the normal healing process, a facelift, and excessive cautery.  They can also be caused from trauma.