Botched facelift? How can this be fixed? (Photo)

Question

I had a SMAS facelift 6 months ago. Pretty much immediately after surgery, I noticed one side looked very different from the other. There is an indentation and hollowness immediately under the cheekbone which makes my cheek bone look sharp and protruding. What happened here? Was a retaining ligament cut? How can this be fixed? Please do advise. I’m incredibly disappointed and frustrated by my results from a supposedly world renown facelift surgeon.

Jill Hessler, MD · Answer

Sorry this has been a challenging recovery for you. Hollowing under the check area can occur with buccal fat removal. I would check with your surgeon if this was performed as it is sometimes combined with facelift surgery.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

First of all, sorry about your concerns after a facelift. Ideally, your lift is supposed to make you a much more confident version of yourself. From a perspective of correction, difficult to ascertain on photographs. I would wait till one year and then feel the tissues. Some solutions include perhaps revision lift (maybe a suture slipped), look at preop asymmetry and see if this was present prior, consider additon of either fat or filler to affected area as well.

Lots of potential choices and hope your solution is easy. Speak with your surgeon and make sure he/she can address your concerns.

Lots of potential choices and hope your solution is easy.  Speak with your surgeon and make sure he/she can address your concerns.

Arthur Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Hard to answer with just post op photos. I do see what you are talking about but wonder what the pre op looked like. Fat grafting is probably your best option to equalize the sides. I would contact your surgeon for you concerns. I am sure he/she will be able to advise you.

All the Best,
Dr. J

All the Best,
Dr. J

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

I am sorry for your concerns. I don't have your pre operative photographs so it is difficult to advise. Realize that it takes 1 year to fully heal and assymmetries can occur after surgery. If this depression continues, fillers or fat injections can improve this considerably. I would talk with surgeon about your concerns and I'm sure he will be able to give you some expert advice.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I see what you are talking about. It would be interesting to see before photos  to assess to what degree that might have been present before surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Go back to your surgeon and discuss this. A fat transfer might be very helpful and easier than a repeat lift.

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