Strange dent in left cheek after deep plane facelift/neck lift. Options? (photos)

Question

Six months ago I had extensive surgery - deep plane facelift, deep neck lift, upper blepharoplasty, and revision rhinoplasty. I am still left with this very noticeable indent in my left cheek. When I smile the lump and dent bunch up under my eye, and is quite uncomfortable. When I'm not smiling it looks like I have a razor sharp cheek bone. Can this still be swelling? It feels like something is "stuck" under the skin, preventing me from smiling naturally.

Mark McRae, MD · Answer

Hi there thank you for your question. 
In this case the answer is best found with your surgeon however there are several possibilities. Yes there could still be a component of swelling at 6 months but this should be improving. This could also be due to treatment of the smas layer of the face and could represent an area of overlap or plication where the face was lifted. Typically if this is the case it would likely be fairly symmetric. This should decrease with time. Was facial fat grafting performed? If so perhaps there was assymetric absorption in a given anatomic fat pad. Finally your own bodies healing response is not 100 % predictable and may contribute to a problem such as this. Either way your surgeon should be able to give you insight into possible solutions. I would start with massage to help clear out any lymphatic and swelling contribution. Do this every hour and sweep toward the ear. This will also help your scar tissue mature more quickly and help correct this if it is due to your healing response and scarring. You should continue to see improvements with this for the next 6 months. Do not wait to see your surgeon however as they will know what is best in your case and can provide you with a game plan to optimize your result.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

This as seen in the 3 posted photos a complication of deep plane facelifting. where deep muscles are sutured incorrectly leading to this denting on animation. Might try skin release with micro fat grafting to separate the deeper muscles from the dermis. Fee $5,000. Best to virtualwith...

Strange dent in left cheek after deep plane facelift/neck lift. Options? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Deep Plane Facelift

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Strange dent in left cheek after deep plane facelift/neck lift. Options? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Deep Plane Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.