How soon after a facelift can you ascertain the need for fillers?

Question

How long do I need to wait after having a deep plane facelift to determine whether or not I need fillers?

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

Generally I would suggest waiting 3 to 6 months, after all of the swelling has resolved. If this is something you are considering before surgery you might discuss the possibility of fat transfer at the time of surgery. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. This is a conversation that can certainly be started when you have your consultation about your facelift procedure. But as a rule, I would wait 3-6 months until about 75% of your swelling has subsided to consult a certified and reputable injector about the need for fillers. Good luck!

Alan B. Brackup, MD, FACS · Answer

I would recommend waiting until the swelling is resolved ( at least 3 months) before you decide to add filler. If I have a patient pre operatively that is very thin I also talk about fat transfer at the same time as the lift for volume restoration.

Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD · Answer

After the face lift, there is some swelling that can add volume in some areas of the face, and in average, 3 months after the surgery about 75-80% of swelling is gone, then it will be a good time to check if there are areas that can benefit from a hyaluronic acid filler.  In some patient the swelling may last a little longer, then waiting 6 months is a better time, to decide if there is need of a filler.

Guy Cappuccino, MD · Answer

After a facelift, I would wait a minimum of 3 months to allow for resolution of swelling before making any determinations on whether filler is needed.  If there is any question at 3 months, I'd personally wait up to 6 months before deciding.  That being said, my personal opinion is that more mid-face volume is usually a good thing!

Deborah Sillins, MD · Answer

I would recommend 3-4 months to allow the swelling to subside. Many surgeons are injecting fat at the same time as the face lift.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

People do heal at different rates after a facelift, so the exact timing of when it can be determined if fillers are needed can vary.  In general, I would give it at least 3-6 months after the facelift before trying to determine if any fillers would be beneficial or not.

Michael Eisemann, MD · Answer

While there is no real “waiting period” after a facelift to decide if you need fillers, I would suggest that you wait at least three months (and preferably six months) for the majority of the swelling from your facelift to recede. It can take up to a year for all of the swelling to resolve, but most of it is gone by the six month mark. At that time you can see an experienced injector to ascertain the need for enhancements to your results. If your board certified plastic surgeon offers injections, I recommend consulting with them, as they are familiar with your facelift procedure and the structure of your face. Best of luck!Michael Eisemann M.D.

Plastic Surgeon
Houston, Texas

Plastic Surgeon
Houston, Texas

Leo McCafferty, MD · Answer

There can be subtle changes after a facelift that can persist up to a year.  I would wait at least 6 months before making any decisions on a commercial filler or utilizing your own fat as a filler.  My personal preference would be for you to see a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facelifts to help you determine what you need and the best timing.

Jonathan S. Jacobs, MD, DMD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is no specific time to wait but most feel the full change after the face lift won't be known for three months. That's when the need for fillers can be best determined. Best of luck!

How soon after a facelift can you ascertain the need for fillers?

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