Festoons caused by mid-face lift: is there a solution? (Photo)

Question

33 yr old, 2.5 yrs post op mid-face lift. I had it to get rid of bags under my eyes. It did not go well and rid me of bags and over the last year festoons have appeared (which was not a problem before) and has resulted in severe depression. The surgery also caused my right eye to get smaller and appear higher on my face that the left, I had 2 symmetrical eyes before. Is there any recommended procedure (non-surgical). Or is it possible to reverse it. I think it was done with anchors.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

I'm not certain why a woman in her early 30s would need a facelift of any kind. The problem with the midface lift is that it violates the support structure between the lower lid in the cheek. This can create lid problems as well as midface asymmetries. Recommendations for correction would not be possible based on the information provided. You should go to skilled and experienced in correction of these problems. Make certain to get several opinions.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

Sorry to learn about the problems that you are experiencing. The pictures show uneven eyelid openings as the right eye is appearing smaller. This is mostly because the lid margin sits higher on that side. It does look like swelling and if you say it appeared a year ago, it probably wasn't caused by the surgery as these problems happen immediately after the surgery and not a year and a half later. Your right eyeball seems to be sitting higher. I wonder if this condition existed before. You have to see if your diet or medical condition could explain this. I would check with your internist. Is this better at certain times of the day? Does it change from day to day? It would be good to see your pictures before the operation. The right lid margin could be lowered by removing some skin. The swelling can sometimes be improved by injecting fillers below it, but you have to determine the cause first. You also have to make sure it is not caused by a filler that was injected a year ago. I you had an HA based filler it could be reversed. Radiesse would last a lot longer to go away.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

This looks like malar edema which can unfortunately happen with any surgery involving the midface or lower lids.  It can last for months but eventually dissipates.  Low salt diet has been reported to help.

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

Injections of Vitrase can help the edema of your eye bags short term.Vitrase might reopen the channels for longer term lymphatic drainage.Lymphatic massage can also help and you can lean these techniques.If there is small amount of residual fat, micro-liposuction can also possibly help.Subcision of your lower  tear trough skin attachments might also allow for better  drainage.Help with the edema can improve the eye asymmetry.Best wishes,Dr. Denkler

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Festoons are structural and cannot be improved with eyelid surgery or lymphatic drainage. Filler injections below into the depression is likely your best option. Otherwise direct excision which causes unacceptable scarring.

Festoons caused by mid-face lift: is there a solution? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Vitrase can help malar bags

Answer: Vitrase can help malar bags

Answer: Festoons caused by mid-face lift: is there a solution?

Answer: Festoons caused by mid-face lift: is there a solution?

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Festoons caused by mid-face lift: is there a solution? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Vitrase can help malar bags

Answer: Vitrase can help malar bags

Answer: Festoons caused by mid-face lift: is there a solution?

Answer: Festoons caused by mid-face lift: is there a solution?

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Everything you need to know about Facelift

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