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Lumps from Blepharoplasty, Neck Lipo, and Fat Transfer?

I had liposuction on my neck, lower blepharoplasty, and fat transfer to my face and under my eyes 9 days ago. I just wanted the fat under my eyes to correct hollowness, but the doctor thought I'd look great with it transferred to cheeks, lips, etc..

I'm looking great, but during my massage, I noticed a small painful cyst right between the outer edge of my eye and temple. So then, I explored further and deeper with my hands; there are also two larger lumps (peanut sized), in the exact same spot on either side of my jawline. They don't feel cystic, they feel lumpy and flat-shaped. Also, right under my chin, I have 2 two pea-sized lumps directly across each other.

I also discovered a large inflammed-feeling asymmetrical lump on the right side of my Adam's apple that stretches all the way up under my jawline. Of most concern to me is the small cyst near my eye, and the large sore lump on my neck.

I'm hoping the lumps on both sides of my jaw and the two on the underside of my chin are just fat that will soften. Right now, the cyst by my eye is small. Is this from the liposuction or fat transfer? What if it fills up and becomes large?

I love the way my face looks and hope I wont have to have excisions. I don't want scars! I wonder if he will aspirate the cyst, but couldn't it fill up again? I've seen others with similar problems on the message board, and doctors suggesting to wait it out. But I don't want to "wait it out" for these things to become bigger. Is this normal? Any suggestions or advice before I go see the doctor tomorrow? Thanks.

Asked 35 months ago by N N in usa

Facial fat transfer

Thanks for your question. It sounds like what you've described could be a few things including small hematomas (collections of blood) or collections of necrosing fat. It is unlikely that these are new cysts that have sprung up in the last nine days. You state: "I've seen others with similar problems on the message board, and doctors suggesting to wait it out. But I don't want to "wait it out" for these things to become bigger." This is a common feeling - you just want... more

Doctor's Website

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Lumpness shortly after surgery

You should address these concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon. These types of problems are common shortly after surgery but may need attention, in case aspiration / steroid injection/ etc. are warranted. Although it seems that lumpiness after surgery is firm and won't go away, in the vast majority of patients, it does. Patients who "wait it out" and have a successful resolution are glad they did not rush back to the operating room. In general, swelling occurs shortly after... more

Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Lumps in face

Hard to say what the lumps in your face represent since I did not perform you surgery. You should review this with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Lumps may settle down in the healing process

The lumps that are being felt in the jawline are probably related to fat that was injected in that area and/or seromas. Seromas are congealed accumulations of serous fluid that tend to be hard and fibrotic but eventually settle down in the healing process. They usually take approximately two months to subside. The cyst closest to the eye will need to be addressed and surgically removed. The cyst itself has a capsule on the inside of it which has to be completely excised, otherwise it... more

William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Too early to tell what lumps are

As with all surgical procedures, your body takes time to heal. Even though we are living in a "gotta have it yesterday" mentality, our bodies still take time to undergo a certain healing process that can't be rushed. I am not a big advocate of fat reinjection, because I haven't gotten consistent results. However, there are some physicians to claim to get excellent results. The lumps could be from areas of fat deposition, they could represent lymph glands... more

Doctor's Website

Joseph M. Perlman, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Let yourself heal

Lots of temporary contour issues after surgery so be patient until you heal. Fat grafts can initially be lumpy until the inflammatory process subsides. Frequently, after the swelling subsides the lumps may still be felt, but do not cause a lump that is visible on the face.

Richard Gentile, MD

Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

Wait it out

NN, Don't worry. Your surgeon will not let you "wait it out" if the lumps are getting larger. And, unless they are truly cysts, which is NOT at all likely, they will not grow. Listen to your surgeon tomorrow.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

You are only 9 days after the procedure - no need to worry

You are only 9 days after your procedure - there is no need to worry. My advice is to leave it alone. After any procedure and especially any injections, you are bound to get localized areas of swelling. It takes several weeks for these to dissolve. You just need to be patient and, in all likelihood, you will be very happy. If you post some pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice.

Doctor's Website

David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Irregularities after liposuction, fat transfer, and blepharoplasty

You have been provided with excellent advice. It really is too early to make any final predictions. I generally advise my patients to allow about 3 weeks to assess the "take" of fat grafts. With liposuction, the disrupted fat is not always completely evacuated by the suctions, and sometimes devascularized fat may remain behind. I would remain in close contact with your surgeon.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

These are commom problems

I havent' yet met a patient who is willing to wait it out. So that's a normal feeling. As you know swelling is normal. However, with fat transfer the selling will be greater. In addition the fat can get infected and more impportantly can necrose. When fat dies it get hard. Nine days is really too short for fat necrosis but not for contour irregularity from the injection. So for the luminess give it time. For the lesion on temple see your surgeon for wound care. You may need... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

You will get more lumps as you heal

Dear NN You are very early in your healing from these proceudres. With any fat transfer and liposuction, the fat heals with lumpy firmness at first. This will be at its greatest between 4 and 6 weeks after the procedure. Then this resolves after this, and typically by 4 to 6 months, all of lump that are going to resolve have done so. It is possible to have cysts and unsightly rolls of fullness after a fat transfer but you are so soon after your surgery, these are frankly more likely to be... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

See your doctor now to rule out infection

Your doctor is the best person to answer your questions. The lumps should not "grow", but as the swelling around these subsides, they may look larger. It is too soon to "do something". This usually makes matters worse and the chances are this will go away with time.

Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Lumps are expected after such procedure...

It would be unusual not to feel lumps after liposuction and fat transfer. The question is what is the consequence of these lumps. Obviously you are quite soon after the procedure and things might change for the better, or for the worse. If they are static and related to the procedure (i.e. not some other incidental, synchronous finding), then I would suggest leaving them alone, especially if you "look great". To some extent, the reason why you got this surgery was to improve your appearance... more