Removal of Juvederm Resulted in Loose Bags over Cheeks (Festoons) That Never Existed Previously

In Aug. of 2012 I traveled out of state to an award-winning plastic surgeon to consult about loss of facial fat due to aging. I was 64 years old, and have always been in good health and maintained a normal weight of approx. 106 lbs. for my 5'2". I do not drink alcohol, don't smoke & I avoid salt. The doctor recommended Juvederm as opposed to permanent solutions (cheek implants) so that I could see the results without committing to a more invasive procedure. I knew from previous uses of Juvederm in my nasolabial folds that it would eventually dissipate over time. Two years after the injections which were done around my upper cheek area, (you can see injections locations in photo), the Juvederm had not resolved, but instead, seemed to be expanding. Over the two years time, I could see my cheeks without looking in a mirror. My face was just not my face anymore. I could see a shallow trough forming between where the Juvederm was injected and where it wasn't. Because the first doctor was out of state, I visited a local Juvederm specialist who said that to add more filler in the trough area would only exacerbate the look and he recommended dissolving. It took two separate visits two weeks apart. The result left draping baggy skin over my cheeks. I never have had that issue before the injections. I compare my loose facial skin to that of an obese person who loses a lot of weight over a short period of time, and is left with hanging skin. I think my skin was expanded for so long that it was somewhat stretched. The bags are much more prominent when I smile. At the age of 64, I do not have the elasticity of a younger person whose skin might have retracted more readily than mine. I do not blame any doctor for this situation. I believe that this product may not be appropriate for the area in which it was injected. I visited a plastic surgeon in my area who recommended a mid-face lift and lower blepharoplasty. I waited for 2 months after I had the Juvederm dissolved to have the surgery. It has been about five weeks since my surgery and the bags are still present but not quite as dramatic. I was told by my surgeon to give it six more weeks to heal. He seemed to think my issue is due to allergies, but I NEVER had these bags before the Juvederm cheek injections. They appeared immediately within 2 days after I had it dissolved, so I am certain the Juvederm or the dissolving or both, is the cause. I am hoping that with time and the help of surgery the skin will retract. I am posting this so that others will think twice about this filler used in the upper cheek area. If anyone has a solution to my issue I would appreciate suggestions. I will post an update in six weeks.

It has been almost 5 months since the Juvederm was removed, and 3 months after a facelift to fix the resulting loose skin. I am posting a before and after photo to show the difference. The doctor who did the wonderful facelift was Dr. Gaylon McCollough of McCollough Plastic Surgery in Gulf Shores, Alabama. I would highly recommend him to anyone.