Plan to wait one year!

Julius W. Few, MD answers: Tear trough area lump after fat transfer

I had fat transfer done in April 2008, and after two weeks, a visible lump formed on my right cheek and a larger bulge on my left side, but it's visible only when I'm smiling and laughing. Since then I seeked the advice of 5 other doctors, all unwilling to touch my face, all telling me different times (from 6 months to 3 years) to wait it off. What can I do besides waiting for months or years "to see" if it will go away? Can I get a proactive approach to a solution instead? Thank you so much.


Julius W. Few, MD
12 months ago

Contour irregularities after lower eyelid and/or cheeck fat injection can be very difficult to correct.  There are a number of variable that affect this difficulty, including what level the fat was injected.  If the fat was injected very close to the skin surface, this is more difficult.  As I am not seeing you as a patient, I am not able to comment on your specific case but I can offer some general thoughts.  I have treated patients in the past with fat irregularities after injection and I have used a couple of different approaches. For more superficial fat collections, this has required a direct removal, making a small cut over the area in question.  For deeper irregularities, I have treated the fat deposits by going in through the inside of the lower eyelid.  Unfortunately, either option requires a great deal of patience for the surgeon and the patient.  I would recommend you find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area, who has experience with fat grafting.  You can refer to surgery.org or plasticsurgery.org for a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Good luck and I hope things get better without needing more treatment!

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