Fat Transfer Q&A
52%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
136 Reviews
Fat Transferbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Fat Transfer Cost: $3,950

Learn about Fat Transfer

1,090 people and 473 doctors are talking about Fat Transfer

Get Free Email Updates

Can Fat Transfer to Buccal and Lower Cheek Areas Limit Smile and Facial Mobility?

asked 1 year ago by Unoq
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 252 times
Tags: cheeks, smile, buccal, risk

6 answers to Can Fat Transfer to Buccal and Lower Cheek Areas Limit Smile and Facial Mobility?

+2

Fat injections and facial movement

Long term there shouldn't be any facial muscle deficits, but in the first few weeks, some people may swell significantly and until that swelling goes down, there can be limitation of wide smiling and similar motions.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+2

Facial Fat Transfer and Facial Mobility

Hello and thank you for the question. Facial fat transfer, when performed by an experienced surgeon, produces very predictable results with exceptionally low morbidity rates. Inhibited facial mobility following fat transfer is an extremely rare sequelae of this procedure.  I would recommend consulting with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Facial Plastic Surgeon that is well versed in complex facial fat transfer. Kindest Regards, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S. more
Glenn Vallecillos, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

No problems with fat transfer and facial movement

Fat transfer is a safe procedure when done properly. There might be issues if far too much volume is used, because large amounts may take up space and make your movements appear distorted. I always remind eager patients that it is easier to put more in, than it is to take out too much.
Barry Resnik, MD

Miami Dermatologist
+1

Facial Mobility afer Fat Transfer to Cheeks

I have never seen a limitation of facial movement after fat grafting to the cheeks in over 20 years of doing this surgery. It is a safe and rewarding procedure.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat transfer

Any procedure can have side effects. With fat transfer, if the placement is of the right amount & appropriate place, there should be no limitation of neither smile, nor facial muscle movement. 
Khaled El-Hoshy, MD

Detroit Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Fat Transfer Risks

Fat transfer, done correctly is a very safe procedure with little significant risk.  There should be no limitations to the facial muscles.  For a while, there was a recommendation to inject the fat into the facial muscles in an attempt to improve blood supply to the free graft, but this is not being advocated for anymore.  This is likely where you heard about the risk to facial muscles.
Joseph Campanelli, MD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question