Can a facelift be done safely in the future after having Bellafill?

Question

Hello. I'm 48 and 4 years ago had Bellafill. I was clueless then about the filler and am now concerned I won't ever be able to get a facelift in the future. 3 years in my nasolabial folds I had granulomas that were surgically removed. Come to find out, I had 9 injections, yes, in my nasolabial folds, upper lip, chin and jawline. Which i was trusting the injector and should have never had filler in the first place. My fault there. With that amount of Bellafill, is is possible to safely tet a facelift in the future? And if so, would the filler continue to change the outcome of the facelift? trying not to be depressed by the ever changing filler in my skin. Thank you for any helpfull advice. Katie

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

Yes, a facelift can often still be done after Bellafill, but it is more complex and should be planned by a surgeon who has experience with permanent fillers and revision-type facial surgery.
Bellafill is not like hyaluronic acid filler that can be dissolved. It can create long-term scar tissue, nodules, inflammation, or granulomas in some patients. Since you already had granulomas removed, your surgeon should know this history before any facelift planning.
The filler may affect the surgery depending on where it was placed and how deep it is. Bellafill in the nasolabial folds, upper lip, chin, and jawline may create scarred or firm areas that do not move naturally with lifting. It can also make dissection more difficult if the filler or granuloma tissue is in the surgical plane.
That does not mean surgery is impossible. A facelift works mainly by repositioning deeper tissues and redraping skin, so it may still be safely performed. But the result may be less predictable if filler-related inflammation, fibrosis, or contour irregularity is present.
Before considering surgery, I would recommend a careful in-person exam and possibly ultrasound or MRI to map areas of filler, nodules, or scar tissue. Any active inflammation or granuloma problem should be quiet before elective facelift surgery.
My advice would be not to blame yourself. Many patients were never fully informed about permanent fillers. Choose a facial plastic surgeon who is comfortable managing Bellafill complications, bring all records if possible, and ask specifically how the filler may affect surgical planes, skin redraping, and final contour. A facelift may still be possible, but it should be approached cautiously and realistically.

Can a facelift be done safely in the future after having Bellafill?

Answers (1)

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