How can I fix these indentations in both cheeks 1 year post deep plane facelift? (Photos)

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin - Winnetka & Chicago. This is a great question. I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this — cheek indentations and nerve-type sensations after a facelift can feel alarming, but the exact cause can’t be diagnosed without an in-person exam. Indentations a year after surgery can come from things like residual scarring, tethered tissue, fat atrophy, or contour irregularities from deep-plane mobilization, and the nerve pain you describe suggests that the area is still sensitive or that tissue is pulling around a healing nerve branch. Based on your concerns, I recommend filler as one option to help soften or camouflage postoperative cheek indentations by restoring volume and reducing the appearance of tethering. I hope this helps!

This can be adjusted by subcision (releasing those ligaments), or, possibly, by that plus fat grafting or other filler. There is a solution but we'd need to see you in person.