Fat Transfer: Stories

Haven't heard of those two.  The reason the fat is so hard to take out is because it gets caught up between several layers of tissue making it a challenge to remove especially around the delicate eye area without scarring or looking even lumpier.  Has to be smoothed over with your original fat and most peope don't have a whole lot of their own fat in that area.   It isn't just in one big chuck, it goes in as a liquid and spreads out between multiple layers.  At least that is how it was explained to me.  Hope that helps.  I have heard that Dr. Shorr is very good too, but I didn't consult with him because I thought he was a bit old for such intricate work...but that's just me and I may be way off base on that opinion.  He was recommended to me by an eye doctor in Hawaii who trained under him and he does have pretty impressive credentials.  But I went with Groth instead and don't regret the choice.

Thanks notsogood. I am very concerned when a ps says, that they are overly confident that they can correct my problem through a lower bleph. Honestly, that probably is how it will have to be improved, but these doctors are thinking about it in the traditional sense since they have never removed ft. I think I will look into Dr. Groth. I really need an eye specialist who have dealt with these particular cases before. I was really bummed about Dr. Hoenig and pretty much begged her manager but they refused. I wonder what made him stop helping so many of us who desperately need some help. I will also check out Dr. Shorr, but like you, felt he was too old. I think he is 70!! Plus I have sent several e-mails and pictures and their office is not very responsive. My FT is overfilled, most visibly under my lower left eye. It seems superfiscal. Like the fat is just sitting on top. Sometimes I wish I would fall and get a cut there because I think the fat would just pop out. Thanks to everyone who posts here. I read it often and am glad I am not the only one out there alone suffering from the ill effects of a doctor who was overly zealous and under skilled-- not to mention had too much of an ego who felt he could do anything. Lesson learned. If I could only get improvement from where I am, I will never do ps again. The horror and trauma I suffered is not worth it. I am certain that I either had or came close to a nervous breakdown.

I hear you about never wanting PS ever again after this experience.  That's certainly how I feel right now.  And the "nervous breakdowns"...well I've had several of those too over the past 2 years (as have many others here).   I rarely left the house the first year.  After that, it took me awhile to learn to reenter society again and be social as I was pre FT.  We certainly all understand that feeling. Had it not been for the ladies here and their support & understanding, I'm not sure I would have survived this mentally.  As to Dr. Hoenig...I believe that he simply got overwhelmed with FT cases and since there is apparently never... or rarely... a perfect fix,  he got tired of having patients that would ultimately have to settle for less than they had hoped for and perhaps while certainly feeling improved, would not be as thrilled & excited as his regular patients might be.  They were also already traumatized & damaged before they got to him...and so he was constantly facing the challenge of fixing up other PS's mistakes.  I truly do understand that after a while that must be discouraging & frustrating for a really caring PS who takes pride in his work.  I think you are correct that this is not a "traditional bleph" and does require someone who has dealt with FT issues before.  Rather its actually a removal of the added fat (or as much as they can get) and reshifting of original fat to even it out.  Not an easy task.  Be sure to come back and let us know how your consults go.  By then I will be further along and let you know if mine is still going okay.  Take care and be good to yourself.

Thanks NSG. I definitely will. And you do the same.

FYI - the PS who did my bad FT tried to fix his mistake by doing a bleph. He made my eyes worse by cause ptosis. I still have this problem to some degree and I am sad about it. My lumps are gone, that part looks great.

Massry and Groth are great at fixing ptosis.

Thank you.

I went to the original doctor who did the fat transfer in NY. Where are you located?

I'm in Manhattan - I found the Dr you used but I'm tapped out for high consult fees right now btw - what percentage Cortisone did you guys use and how far were the injections spaced apart before you switched to the protocol you ultimately used? Thanks

Cortisone was spaced 2 weeks apart and usually 2 or 3 were enough - then a few months later when the tissues grew back we would do it again. I also used juvederm to smooth things out at times. I did that for about 10 years with the FT doctor before I started 5 FU with Dr. Schwartz. The Cortisone concentration varied but I found that somewhere between 10-15% worked best. I would use higher percentage on the tougher areas. It's mixed with lidocaine.

You just helped me so much JaneSt - thank you I'm actually dealing w/ the jowl area and one mass on cheek I am having it done by my ENT who is also a PSurgeon as I'd never go back to the office of the FT ever again in my life Thank you so much for the percentages. How soon after your graft did you begin the injections? I've started @ month 2 so hoping it'll actually knock it out versus having it continue to grow back... Thanks again - you know more than the Drs :) (which is often the case I've found) Cheers & am praying here...

Well I speak from experience ;) There are two types of cortisone - one is clear and one has visible white powder and you want the latter. It's called kenalog. The clear one didn't work as well. I waited 3 months initially but on subsequent FTs I did it much sooner and yes, in your case it could kill it permanently so just for precaution - start with less and do it more times rather then get a depression. I always prefer low volume higher concentration because you don't want to put too much volume vise and have it spill around. Also, make sure you inject it toward the top of the lump rather then the bottom because in the initial few minutes it can run down a little (again low volume is better) but it won't run up. Inject it sitting up then tell him to lower the chair into a flat position so you can lay down for a few minutes and hold some pressure to avoid bruising. You should see results within two weeks - after that the improvement is minimal so then you can go get more. Good luck and let everyone know how it works for you.

Thank you SO much Jane - Your instructions are saved on my phone now for my appt Monday I don't know the concentration he put in jowls a few days ago - but he put 2cc's in one & 3 in the one w/ more fat in it & the larger fat deposit seems smaller than the original smaller one - so my guess is, as you said, from now on out - higher concentration, low volume I also have a mass on the L side of my face - below cheekbone where it was overfilled & have not read of anyone having that brought down yet - only people being sad for decades after overfilling their cheek area I hope there is a success story for that area as well I'm going to ask him Monday when I go in if he could try a bit there & follow your instructions on being horizontal directly after for a bit so it does not migrate. Please send good thoughts he agrees to inject that site as well as I'm not crazy about an incision - although I'm sure through the cheek is a possibility -but ugh ... Ok I'll keep you posted after Monday's visit & thanks in advance for any good wishes you can send for total success at 3PM NYC time for me :)

:)

So, Monday (two days ago) Dr used 15% (at your suggestion) along jawline where former FD so kindly gave me jowls & a double chin - grrrrr... So far no change but it's only 48 hrs later so I'm doing best to be patient & I know you said 3 weeks is max result right? I'll go back in two to assess & re-do w/ same % or higher depending If this does not work I may try meso or lipdissolve before going back for mor surguries/canula stuff Hope for my formerly smooth jawline back ASAP - I miss it !

Was the FT done by Mark Berman? He did EXACTLY the same with me. From a delicate little face with a perfect jaw line, he gave me jowls and pouches. Tried to square off my face, and packed in fat on the left side. Did whomever also put a half inch thickness around your eyes and brows? Micro lipo with Michael Cherukian helped remove the fat from the jaw line. He is very compassionate.

Hi Opentoealing No actually it was Dr Roberto Garcia in Jacksonville Beach Fla - NEVER go there I was very explicit as to what I wanted having had 7 yes of filler prior I KNOW what works But....no matter the directions & drawings he went ahead & did whatever the %&*$# he felt like Thank God I only have double chin & jowls now & a little uneavenness here & there Is Michael Cherukian in NYC by chance? I'm so tapped out at this point & miss my jawline (and backside as he destroyed my butt w/ over lipo...I"m a stunt person & fitness model & now out of work & in physical pain due his botched job) & am praying someone out there has a viable, affordable solution if cortisone does not work so I can have my face & body back at least to the way it was 60 days ago Now I have a double chin, jowls & saddle bags on thighs - none of which I had 2 months ago - thanks to The Garcia Institute If I could rate them here I would - but do not know how Actually Berman looked at my photos & (wrongly in my opinion) just said to fill in rest of jawline to match the new jowls...wtf!!! I know he's supposed to know his stuff - but seriously??? Ok rant over for this hour :) Glad you found Michael Cherukian to help you!

You probably won't see results for over a week. I feel like that 1.5-2 weeks is the magic period. I was usually swollen for the first 2 days anyway. I hope it works well :)

NO!!! Berman is an effin' EGO MANIAC! He actually told me he was a technician, not an artist, and that luckily I only needed "a tiny injection of fat to the lower cheek". I woke up looking Monglian. I was a model and actress with a delicate refined face. He gave me a man brow bone and squared off my cheeks, jowl and packed my eyes. I almost died. Career ended. Relationship ended.

Thanks JaneSt - will hang tight & keep visualizing :) Again, thnx for your expertise, Sorry you had to gain it such a hard way but both myself & the Dr helping me appreciate all you know :)

Oentohealing - Do you now have your jawline back after seeing the 'nice' dr you found to microlipo it? And idd it only take one pass or two or more & how much was it to remove the 'balls of fat' in your jowls? Thanks And I understand how one Dr in 45 mins can destroy one's entire career - same thing here :(

Hey Jane So - I noticed a pretty significant amount of movement from Mon (injection day) - Fri. Then it's seemed to revert now this weekend to blobby & hangin' again. I thought it best not to inject more frequently than every two weeks - hope that's a good call & that the little 'backslide' is only temporary... Ciao