How Can I Restore my Cheeks 10 Years After Buccal Fat Removal? (photo)

asked 6 months ago by remainanonymous in Houston, TX
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 304 times
Tags: 10 years post-op, flat, options, volume

I had *bolsas de bichat* removed (I think that's Spanish for buccal fat pads) a decade ago. Now I look completely different. My face is flat and not as attractive. What can I do to look like before? What's the best option: implants, fillers, or any other ideas? If using Radiesse, how much would be necessary to look like before?

5 answers to How Can I Restore my Cheeks 10 Years After Buccal Fat Removal? (photo)

Sculptra

To replace lost volume in your cheeks, I would recommend the use of a dermal filler. For generalized volume, Sculptra is a great product. If you have specific areas that need pin point treatment, then a product such as Juvederm will work well. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Restoring cheeks after fat removal.

Restoring cheeks after fat removal is a common question unfortunately. Your story is why I tell patients not to do this since they need the fat as they grow older to fill out the face. I would need to examine your face to tell if fillers would help and how much it would take to correct the problem. Fat grafting can be used but has its own problems in the face such as irregularities and lumps.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fillers of Volume Enhancers can Augment Cheeks

Removal of the buccal fat pads can cause some hollowing in the cheeks, which can be an issue for some patients. I like to treat this area with fillers or volume enhancers. Fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse) show immediate results and last from 6 to 12 months depending on the filler. Radiesse lasts the longest for most people with results fading at about a year. The down side is that Radiesse is not easily reversible. Most patients need one or... more

Jonathan Sonne, MD
Naples Facial Plastic Surgeon

Restoring volume to cheeks

The options for filling the cheeks out include placing cheek implants into the malar or submalar space to give more volumetric augmentation to the cheeks. This is a permanent solution. Fillers are usually a temporary solution and will require repetitive injections.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Restoring Facial Fat Loss

Without an exam it is impossible to advise exactly. However, fat or filler injection can usually help significantly. Both would usually require several injections to get the contour just right. This is especially true of fat if you want it to be permanent. If not fat, I generally use Radiesse since it has a good longevity.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

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