Is it okay to get Voluma for temporal hollowing following a pterional craniotomy? (Photos)

Voluma should work well, be safe and be quite stable for a long time in the areas you describe, as long as it is injected on the temporal bone.Good luck!

I suggest you check with your neurosurgeon to be sure no bone is missing in the area you wish to inject. If your cranium is intact then Voluma, Lyft and Sculptra are all good options. If there's no bone between the skin and brain tissue then you should avoid injections altogether.Good luck. Dr. ALDO 

Voluma would be an option for treating your temporal hollowing.  Voluma is not permanent however and typically lasts up to 2 years.  Afterwards you would likely need more filler.  Also, the amount of filler required to fill your temporal hollowing adequately would be quite expensive (difficult to tell just from the picture but I would predict at least ~4 syringes).  Thus, if you factor in the initial cost of treatment as well as the need for more every 1.5 - 2 years you are looking at spending a lot of money. 
I agree with other responses in that fat transfer would likely be a cost efficient, more permanent option for you.  Fat is typically harvested from your abdomen or thighs and injected into the volume deficient area.  Not all fat takes and you may need more then one procedure but the fat that survives is permanent.
As long as there is no bone defect where you had the craniotomy, then fat transfer and filler are both safe.  There should not be any issue with your previous surgery.  Both procedures would treat the hollowing, it just depends on preference, downtime, degree of correction and acceptance with needing more in the future.  I would set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon to go over this in detail and determine what is best for you.

Yes, this area can be improved with fillers (Voluma, Juvederm, Radiesse) or Sculptra. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

I have treated a great deal of patients in your circumstance and I prefer Sculptra for this area.  I would check with your surgeon before any injections area performed.  Please consult a board certified dermatologist for the best cosmetic results.  Best, Dr. Green

Voluma would be a completely safe option in this setting provided there are no large bone defects at  the site of the craniotomy.  However, it would not be the most cost effective option.  Based on the photos you provided I would estimate the volume deficit in your left temple to be at least 7 cc.  Assuming that Allergan is not donating product for a promotional/educational program and assuming an average rate of $700.00 per vial then you can expect to start at around $5,000.00 of Voluma which will last 1 to 2 yrs before it needs to be augmented.  More cost effective choices would be fat transfer which may take 2 sessions to get right but will have much longer longevity.  My recommendation would be to augment the deficit at the bone level with a bone replacement product such as hydroxappatite cement which can be inserted with an endoscopic assisted minimal access through the existing scalp incision.  This will create an excellent foundation. The contour can be "fine-tuned" at later date.  Typically, my office has enjoyed good long-lasting success with this approach and we have been able to gain insurance benefits for these types of repairs. Good luck,Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC, FACS.

Volume replacement is a great option and previous surgery here is not a contradiction. This should be done using sterile technique and the injection should be done slowly and carefully.You might consider fat transfer for a more permanent solution here, which could be done under local. Likely a couple of procedures will be necessary, but in the long run this might be a more definitive approach.Best of luck,

Hello velochica,
Filler is a great option to address hollowness in areas of the face. Injectable filler created for the purpose of rejuvenating the face without surgery.  When injected into the sub dermis of the cheeks and midface, the natural fat pads that seem to have vanished over time are replaced by the long-lasting product. Voluma is able to deliver a natural-looking lift to the face because of the sculptable smooth gel, hyaluronic acid that has been crossed-linked with Vycross technology for optimal results. Another option is Bellafill or even fat grafting to the area. Next step for you is to schedule a consultation with a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best Wishes.