Fat Transfer: Q&A
Ask a QuestionTear Trough Area Lump After Fat Transfer
I had fat transfer done in April 2008, and after two weeks, a visible lump formed on my right cheek and a larger bulge on my left side, but it's visible only when I'm smiling and laughing. Since then I seeked the advice of 5 other doctors, all unwilling to touch my face, all telling me different times (from 6 months to 3 years) to wait it off. What can I do besides waiting for months or years "to see" if it will go away? Can I get a proactive approach to a solution instead? Thank you so much.
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15 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
1femmefatale
in canada
+4
Revisional lower eyelid surgery
There is nothing wrong with waiting until a problem is stable, and at that time reassess critically to see if any revision surgery needs to be done. Usually this timepoint is some time after six months.
Fat injection fat can sometimes be aspirated with a very fine liposuction canula. In my experience, however, this is sometimes touch since the fat that does survive tends to be very "gristly" and does not aspirate well through a canula. Sometimes the adjacent native fat is more...
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+4
You may need a revision.
With fat grafting or any procedure, it is possible for you to develop "lumps," especially if you are being injected by an inexperienced injector. However, now that you have a lump it is best to wait some time before jumping into additional operations or procedures. These additional procedures are not without their own risk. It is important to seek the opinion of your surgeon and, possibly, other surgeons as you have. With out examining you myself, it is hard to give you specific advice....
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+4
Very difficult to give you a quick answer
As the other doctors have mentioned, this could be a cyst, scar, hardened fat, etc. Fat transfer in the lower eyelid area can have great results, but can be very difficult to correct. It is wise to wait at least a year to see how this lump "matures." It should be treated based on how superficial and how deep it is. Some superficial ones can be cut out directly. Some deeper ones can also be carefully cut out. However, in some patients who have difficulty with nodules and lumps as a chronic...
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Portland Plastic Surgeon
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+3
It is best to takes a stepwise approach
Without examining you or looking at a photo, it is hard to give you sound advice. But, the first step is to find an experienced fat transfer surgeon who performs many treatments around the eyes. As a general conservative approach, the first step is often direct micro-aspiration during the early phases (i.e. within a month). The fat is still soft and can potentially by suctioned out. This can be coupled with massage, but massage alone rarely treats the problem completely unless it is...
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+3
Fat Grafting Lumps When Smiling
Hi Femme Fatale,
Sorry to hear that you are suffering from fat graft complications. Most importantly you should continue following the advice of qualified and experienced fat transfer surgeons.
Accent XL is a non-invasive method of sculpting fat. It may be possible to smooth your "lumps" with a series of treatments. This area is extremely delicate. Your evaluation should be performed by someone with a great deal of experience.
Microliposuction may help if there is a...
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+3
Plan to wait one year!
Contour irregularities after lower eyelid and/or cheeck fat injection can be very difficult to correct. There are a number of variable that affect this difficulty, including what level the fat was injected. If the fat was injected very close to the skin surface, this is more difficult. As I am not seeing you as a patient, I am not able to comment on your specific case but I can offer some general thoughts. I have treated patients in the past with fat irregularities after injection and I...
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+3
Sounds like a cyst or irregular placement of injections
Fat should have the same texture and softness as the underlying fat. This is different than other fillers which are typically harder, and appear harder when you smile. Your description of seeing the lumps only when you smile suggests that the material is harder than the surrounding tissue. This could be swelling or a localized cyst. If it is just swelling then wait, if it is a cyst then surgical removal may be in your future. If you have the lump at all times, perhaps you need more filler.
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+2
Fat lumps in the tear trough -no easyway out
The problem you hane is not unusual and I have seen similarly affected patients who needed surgical revision. For some reason the fat injected in the perioorbital area tend to survive and thrive- may be because of the rich blood supply. I beleive the the fat was injected under the muscle in your case and that is why the lump becomes prominernt when you smile as the muscle contract over it bringing it in relief. This fat is going to be with you for good. Only...
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Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
Fat Transfer Lumps Can Be Treated
Having lumps after fat transfer is not unusual. At this point if you are 2 years or more out from the procedure, it is defintely worth attempting treatment. The best treatment is dependent on a number of factors but your options range from intralesional steroid or 5-FU injections to microliposuction to thermal heating to surgical excision.
+1
Tear trough lump after fat transfer
You need to find an oculofacial plastic surgeon who is willing to help you. I would check the directory of ASOPRS. I would consider conservative steroid injections or surgical excision if necessary. Good luck!
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.
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