62, white, female - is this necrosis or atrophy after chin fat injected in cheeks? Is there cure? (Photos)

Question

6/18/23 Lipo removal of chin fat was injected into cheeks (62 y/o white female). Within day extreme swelling right face eye socket + cheek. Cheek lesions devel. despite 3-4 low dose Kenelog injections. Big cyst developed in August leaked pus. In Sept same thing began on left face. 3 lesions on top of granulomas on both sides. 2 short courses Doxy no help. 1 month of 1000 mg Clarithromycin in Nov during which no new cysts. Went off Clar and new cyst developed. Biopsy + cultures show no infection!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Your clinical course is speaking in favor of fat necrosis; injected fat, in particular if injected in larger lumps, will undergo necrosis (tissue death) due to a lack of blood supply. Clinically it presents as a painful cyst underneath the surface which occasionally opens up and drain clear oily staff; there is no bacteria present in tissue cultures. You should wait until scars mature ( around one year after problem started) and consider another set of fat grafting including micro and nano grafts. Consultation with a couple of board certified plastic surgeons with proven expertise in facial fat  grafting should be considered in the meantime. Good luck.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I’m curious what the background of your provider has? It sounds like you may have developed infections from the fat transfer. Infections need to be treated with proper drainage and removal of nonviable tissue.
I suggest you get a few second opinion, consultations. 
Something does not sound right about your outcome. 
For second opinion consultations come prepared bringing a copy of your medical record. You can obtain a copy of your medical record by simply asking your provider. Make sure it includes all operative reports and all before and after pictures.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

62, white, female - is this necrosis or atrophy after chin fat injected in cheeks? Is there cure? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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62, white, female - is this necrosis or atrophy after chin fat injected in cheeks? Is there cure? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

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.