Buccal fat pad herniation during mini facelift led to removal. What can be done nonsurgically to add some volume back? (Photos)

You can try an HA filler product (temporary), fat transfer (permanent) or an alternative nonsurgical injection that consists of extracellular matrix (Renuva) that would attempt to add volume back to the buccal fat areas.
Thanks!

The 2 areas that you circled can be addressed with the addition of your fat or "autologous fat grafting". It is the best filler for volume loss in my opinion. Unfortunately, you didn't achieve a long-term result for your neck, and this will have to be addressed with another surgery. Sometimes all it takes is a small revision from each side.

Thank you for you question and photos. Buccal fat pad removal can be done during a deep plane face lift if it is encountered and protruding. When I perform deep plan face lift, I do occasionally remove fat from the buccal fat pad if necessary. This is usually planned based on assessing the preoperative anatomy and seeing if there is excess fullness in the lower cheeks. This fullness can be asymmetric one side can be fuller than the other side. This happens pretty commonly.

Looking at your post operative photographs, on the left side the area that is circled, the volume deficit appears posterior. this is typically where the parotid land and smas muscles are. This is not the area of the buccal fat pad. Volume loss in this area can be filled with fat or filler. I would consider voluma in this area.

As for your concerns reguarding neck laxity, you mentioned you had a mini facelift. Typically in a mini facelift, there is shorter incisions and limited dissection usually laterally around and below the ears. The area under the chin is not always adressed. I do not see a scar from an incision beneath your chin. It appears you have platysmal bands. The fan like muscle called the platysma in the neck has separateded, which causes you see the bands. This can be repaired by a submental platysmaplasty - often included in a facelift surgery, but not necessarily done in every case (and less likely to be done in a mini facelift).

I hope this helps.

Residual deformities of the neck and face can only be corrected with suegical revision of neck bands and fat grafting of areas of scars and volume deficiencies. Person or teleconference second opinion consultation with an expert in facial rejuvenation is recommended. Good luck.