Buccal Fat Removal: Q&A

Ask a Question

Crooked Smile After Bichat Pad Removal, Is It Permanent Damage? (photo)

I did a removal of the bichat pads 8 months ago. Even after all this time, my smile is crooked. Greatly reduced the fat of the face, but the right side of my smile does not raise (upper lip). After the surgery, this side of my face was incredibly more swollen than the left. I fear that the surgery has caused permanent damage. What can it be?

Tags:

Comment on this

4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Lelele

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (0)

Facial Nerve Insult post buccal fat pad excision

Hello Lelele, Thank you for sharing your photographs that show clearly an injury to right buccal branch of your facial nerve. During the surgery, the buccal nervous branch is spotted and carefully protected to prohibit any facial paresis from taking place. In your case, the buccal branch has been insulted. Recovery could happen as far as the insult is not severe and the growth of the branches is motivated and not delayed. I encourage you to... more

Asymmetric smile

You do have weakness of the right buccal branch of your facial nerve. Hopefully this will continue to improve with time. In the short term use of Botox to relax the opposite (left) side can help make your smile more symmetric

Sam Naficy, MD

84 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

You have had a facial nerve injury

The facial nerve branches are in close association with the buccal fat pad and it appears that you have had an injury there. Fortunately, there are multiple branches of the nerve in that region and they may still recover but at 8 months it is possible they won't. B complex vitamines and massage may help and visiting a plastic surgeon at an academic medical center who does nerve work would be useful.

You might also like...

Real Stories

Buccal Fat Pad Removal SuckS! - Izmir, Turkey

I'm a 22old-boy who was thinking about this operation.cuz my face cheek was big.?f i...

Before + After Photos

36 Year Old Female Treated For Weak Chin, Double Chin, And Excess Buccal Fat

View 13 Buccal Fat Removal photos

Facial Nerve Paresis 8 Months After Buccal Fat Pat Removal

Unfortunately, this pictures shows what appears to be a right buccal branch paresis (weakness) after buccal fat pad removal. This is a rare, albeit real complication associated with the procedure. At 8 months, there is still some chance this branch(es) of the facial nerve will recover. I would recommend close follow up with your Surgeon and possibly a consultation with a Facial Plastic Surgeon in a local academic center who has an interest in facial nerve recovery/... more

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

Buccal Fat Removal: Q&A

Crooked Smile After Bichat Pad Removal, Is It Permanent Damage? (photo)