Possible to Reverse Buccal Fat Removal?

asked 2 years ago by 2574anon in canada
Latest answer by Luis A. Vinas, MD
Question viewed 1,732 times
Tags: cheeks, jaw line, reversal

I had buccal fat removal and botox jawline reduction a month ago. Now my lower cheek looks really gaunt and my upper cheek looks really out of proportionly full. I wonder if there are any ways to reduce some fat from my upper cheek without surgery to even out the difference and also to add more fat in the lower cheek to balance everything. Thanks.

7 answers to Possible to Reverse Buccal Fat Removal?

Fat injections can correct your appearance

Reduction of facial fat is not recommended in most cases. If you were a good candidate for buccal fat removal and you do not like the results, it can be corrected with autologous fat injections.It is like sculpting your face by adding, not removing. When done properly, the results will be nice.

Luis A. Vinas, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Fat transfer (fat injections) works well for gaunt cheeks.

Hi. Don't do anything for three months, because things will change. But then, your facial contour can probably be improved with skilfully done fat transfer. If you do not want surgery, Juvederm injections may also help.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Consequences of Buccal Fat (Bichat's) Pad Removal

I truly hate to tell you this but if you do not like the way you already look only a month after the procedure, you would likely be extremely unhappy with your appearance in in 10-20 years. As we age, we all lose facial bone mass AND we lose facial fat resulting in a massive facial deflation with sagging of the skin and deepening of the folds (nose to mouth (Nasolabial) and Puppet (Drool) Lines). Your options are fat grafting or Sculptra. Fat grafting if successful would greatly improve... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Buccal fat pad removal now a problem; later even more of a problem.

Reducing facial volume is generally a bad thing, since this happens naturally as we age. The loss of facial volume is further worsened by the loss of collagen and elastic fibers in our skin, causing sagging, jowl formation, looseness in the neck area, and deepening of the nasolabial and subcommissural folds (marionette lines). You didn't state your age, but removing fat from your upper cheek only gives you more of the same problem you already have! (And, how do you do that... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Fat injections to reverse buccal fat removal

Buccal fat pad removal is rarely performed anymore and discouraged because facial fat is lost occurs with the natural aging process. An aging face has very little fat in it and we do not wish to accelerate the aging process by removing fat. Fat from another part of the body could be injected to the buccal fat pad space to build up that area, although this will probably take several procedures over a period of time to get an excellent result.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

It is possible and difficult to reverse buccal fat removal.

Having performed facial plastic surgery for 35 years I have had the opportunity to follow my patients for that period of time. I do not like buccal fat removal for the reasons you stated. You need that fat when you are older. Fat can be suctioned from another part of your body and injected into your face or done with fillers. Make sure you see an experienced surgeon to do this.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Buccal Fat Removal, Oops, How Do I Reverse the Surgery?

Hi, Current thought about facial beauty and aging is that volume should be maintained in the face. As we age, we lose volume (fat, bone reabsorption, and to a lesser extent muscle) in our face. Once you are completely healed from your recent buccal fat removal surgery, consider replacing the lost volume with Sculptra or fat transfer. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

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