Hard lumps appeared after fat transfer in my cheeks. How can I get rid of them?

Question

Hi. I had fat transfer in my cheeks 5 years ago and they have now gone into solid lumps in my face causing definite lines between the lumps. Is there anything that can be done to help and get rid of the lumps or decrease their size?

Kerem Sami Kaya, MD · Answer

Hello. I don't know exactly which part of your cheek and how it was injected. However, such solid lumps are not expected after the fat injection application.Surgical procedures may be required to get rid of lumps or reduce their size. However, it is difficult to say anything without doing your physical examination.It is important that you could manage the process with a competent surgeon.Have a nice day.

David Samimi, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about the lumps. Depending on how the lumps look of feel, these may be a normal part of aging vs direct result from the grafting. Options now include: 1) Serial steroid injections to the nodule 2) Minimally invasive treatments with things like radiofrequency devices 3) surgical removal. None of these are predictable and a slam dunk though. In general fat is a great volume source with a lower cosmetic complication profile when compared with Hyaluronic Acid fillers, however when you get them, the fat complications are much more difficult to deal with. Best of luck to you.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Delivering quality liposuction and fat grafting results is far more difficult to do than most people believe and this includes plastic surgeons. 
For facial augmentation fillers are typically a much better option because they are so much more precise, predictable and forgiving. 
Anyone who does fat grafting needs to be ready to know how to remove the fat that they have grafted.
When fat is incorrectly grafted do you get nodules of dead fat that typically need to be removed with direct surgical excision. it’s dead fat combined with scar tissue. There is really no other way to remove it.
Including pictures would help. I suggest you follow up with your provider.
If you want a proper second opinion consultation then bring your proper before and after pictures and a copy of your operative report which should be available from your provider and scheduled that as an in person consultation.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Hard lumps appeared after fat transfer in my cheeks. How can I get rid of them?

Answers (3)

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