How can I get some amount of fat back after buccal fat removal as too much was removed? (Photo)

Question

I'm 23 and 2.5 month ago I got a chin implant and buccal fat removal. The chin implant worked well and "straighten out" the double chin. But the buccal fat removal makes me look older and hallow (looks worse in real life). I looked way more healthy and young before. The doctor said he almost removed 4 out of 5cc which shocked me since I said I didn't want to look hallow in 10 years. How much fat is on general usually taken? Can I get back some amount of fat to my cheeks? Will filler do the job?

Charles Chalekson, MD · Answer

Hi Berlin333!
2.5 months is still very early and I would recommend waiting several months before consideration of any revision as things will still be changing significantly. If you feel there is not enough volume then you may want to consider placement of a temporary filler to see if you like the look of that before any permanent type of procedure. If it helps give the look you want then microfat grafting in my experience is very good at correcting issues such as this.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

A lot of plastic surgeons have backed off on doing buccal fat removal because it sets patients up for problems later in life as they naturally lose facial volume with age.

The best option for volume replacement is working with fillers.

Fat transfer is a more permanent option. Fat transfer is less precise and more unpredictable than working with fillers.

I suggest working with fillers until you feel very comfortable in regards to how much volume you need and exactly where it should be placed.

If this is done by someone who has the skill and experience to do good work with facial fat transfer then you can have the same person try to mimic the results with that at a later date.

Removing previously grafted fat if overdone can be difficult.

It’s better to stay conservative with facial fat transfer and plan on doing a couple of sessions rather than getting it all done in one procedure.

Buckle fat removal is a bit of an all or none procedure.

Surgeons came to some degree remove part of the fat but typically the entire fat section is removed with this procedure.

I typically steer people away from buccal  fat removal in the first place because of the problems you are now facing.

Unfortunately this will only get worse with time but there should be some good treatment options for you including permanent correction.

Best of luck,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

I have a unique perspective, in that most of my patients are older and I constantly am trying to rejuvenate faces that have lost fat. It is for that reason that I totally gave up buccal fat removal since it removes fat from a face that will eventually need that fat. Unfortunately, buccal fat removal is essentially and all or nothing procedure. You simply remove the buccal fat pad which is an encapsulated mass of fat.  You can improve the area with fillers, as I do this all the time in older individuals.  The other option is to fat graft the area, replacing what was removed.  Make certain that she see someone experienced in treating older individuals and in injection techniques including fat.

How can I get some amount of fat back after buccal fat removal as too much was removed? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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How can I get some amount of fat back after buccal fat removal as too much was removed? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.