Should I dissolve fillers and opt for fat grafting during facelift?

I think dissolving the filler prior to surgery is a great idea. The filler can distort natural tissue planes and removing it will help your facelift surgeon better identify these planes and reposition the deep structures (SMAS) more appropriately. I personally feel fat transfer can be more predictable, natural and elegant than fillers in the long term. Thanks!

Hi,

Choosing between dissolving fillers and opting for fat grafting during a facelift depends on your aesthetic goals and the condition of your facial tissues.

If existing fillers interfere with surgical procedure, expected outcomes, or create inconsistencies, dissolving them prior to surgery could be beneficial. But if the fillers are well-adapted into tissues or aesthetic units and if the fillers do not interfere with the surgical procedures, there is no need to touch them at all.

Fat grafting, on the other hand, uses your own fat cells to restore volume, offering a very natural and long-lasting result. Incorporating fat grafting during a facelift can enhance facial contours and improve overall harmony.
But in our practice, to decrease the operation time, to decrease facial swelling and to increase the precision of the fat injections we usually prefer to perform fat injections 6-12 months after the facelift procedure.

So, it's important to discuss these options before the operation to develop a personalized plan.

My comments and recommendations are solely based on your text and are subject to change. I always recommend a face-to-face consultation with a specialist to plan the treatment.

Best wishes, Dr. Surmeli.

It is best to get a facelift after the fillers dissolve over time on their own. However, if you are in a time crunch you can dissolve the fillers. Keep in mind only Hyaluronic Acid fillers can be dissolved. Fat grafting can be done at the same time as the facelift.
Regards
Dr. J