I had bad buccal fat removal and got an infection, please help! (photos)

Question

Hello there I had buccal fat removal in December ( 4months ago) and I got a infection on one of my checks! The doctor gave Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid to kill the infection but after months it does not seem to be working and one of my checks is very swollen. Please tell me what medicine to take or any home remedies I could do to help this as I don't trust the doctor no more!!

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Significant cheek swelling that last for several months after buccal fat removal is unlikely to be associated with an infection. If the swelling is not associated with fever, redness or purulent discharge from the incision, it is not an infection. This swelling is more likely secondary to accumulation of saliva due to injury of the parotid salivary gland during surgery

Goretti Ho Taghva, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello bellablanco, I urge you to seek medical attention from your plastic surgeon or seek a second opinion from another board certified plastic surgeon immediately.  It is not common to develop an infection after buccal fat removal if you follow the correct post-operative instructions.  Since the swelling has not improved after taking antibiotics, you might have developed an abscess which could account for the impressive unilateral swelling that you endure. The abscess would need to be drained and washed out or else it will not get better.  Best wishes!

Patrick Briggs, FRCS, FRCSI (Plast Surg) (retired) · Answer

from your photographs it looks as if you still have a collection or abscess in your cheek. Do you have a fever?You will need to see your surgeon and possibly have an ultrasound to determine if there is a collection of pus present.

I had bad buccal fat removal and got an infection, please help! (photos)

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I had bad buccal fat removal and got an infection, please help! (photos)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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