Fat transfer to buccal area: what are the risks?

Harvesting is important to fat transfer. I use water-assisted fat harvesting which gives pure fat to transfer and combine with platelet rich plasma (PRP) to get the most viable and sustainable fat cells. This can be combined with Sculptra and/or implants to get desired results, if necessary. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a facial sculpting expert to discuss all risks. Best, Dr. Emer

For the most part fat transfer is very safe and effective if performed in experienced hands. Fat injection into the buccal space in my hands is performed through the corner of the mouth. Blunt cannulas are used so there really is no risk of nerve injury. Hyaluronic acid products gently while at work because a significant amount of volume is needed to see a difference in this area.

Facial fat transfer is it finicky somewhat unpredictable and imprecise operation.

Facial fat transfer is done in the superficial field just below the skin and the buccal fat is on the opposite side of the cheek usually take a note from inside the mouth.

Simply put grafting fat is never going to restore what the buccal fat pad was able to accomplish. Fillers are much more precise and forgiving. You can put as much filler as you want into a small space but this doesn’t work with fat transfer.

Fat transfer works based on where there is an abundance of host tissue otherwise the fat doesn’t survive.

Grafting half a golf ball amount of fat in a small space cannot be done in a single session.

Volume can be built up gradually over multiple procedures.

It may not look the same as pre-buccal fat pad excision.

Fillers are a better option but need to be repeated.

Consider the longest lasting Fillers as an alternative.

If you go down the road a fat transfer the least find providers who have years of experience in a solid track record doing this procedure. An conservative approach grafting modest amounts with the idea of gradually building this up over a few procedures is typically a better way to go.

Good luck,

Mats Hagstrom MD