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Can Massaging Cheeks After Fat Injection Reverse the Effects?

I had fat injected into my cheeks. I understand it takes at least 2 months for the swelling to go down. (I had them 2.5 weeks ago.) I was wondering if I massage my cheeks if the fat would disperse or die? I do not like my results, I just want my normal cheeks back. Any non-surgical help/suggestions is appreciated. The first photo is before and the other 2 are after

Doctor Answers 5

Fat graft

July 1st, 2011
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You are still bruised and swallen, there will be a lot of change in the next few weeks.

Massage now may displace the fat to other areas that you may not like, and even may drop down to form jowles, then you will need a face lift.

Talk with your surgeon ASAP and see what are your options. Depending on the plane where the fat was put, your surgeon may do some liposuction.

Samir Shureih, MD


Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

July 1st, 2011

Fat graft

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

You are still bruised and swallen, there will be a lot of change in the next few weeks.

Massage now may displace the fat to other areas that you may not like, and even may drop down to form jowles, then you will need a face lift.

Talk with your surgeon ASAP and see what are your options. Depending on the plane where the fat was put, your surgeon may do some liposuction.


Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Best Way to Reverse Fat Transfer

July 5th, 2011
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Hi A,

You should discuss massage and your dissatisfaction with your fat transfer physician.  Be patient and hopefully over the next few months you will be pleased with the results.  At 5 to 6 months after your procedure, the fat that is still present will be permanent.  If you are still unhappy at that point then micro liposuction can be attempted.  As Dr. Val Lambros (Laguna Beach, CA excellent plastic surgeon) has said, "The number one operation that fat transfer doctors perform is fat transfer, the number two operation that they do is put in more fat, and their third is removing excess fat!"

Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD

Michael A. Persky, MD
Encino Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 36 reviews

July 5th, 2011

Best Way to Reverse Fat Transfer

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Hi A,

You should discuss massage and your dissatisfaction with your fat transfer physician.  Be patient and hopefully over the next few months you will be pleased with the results.  At 5 to 6 months after your procedure, the fat that is still present will be permanent.  If you are still unhappy at that point then micro liposuction can be attempted.  As Dr. Val Lambros (Laguna Beach, CA excellent plastic surgeon) has said, "The number one operation that fat transfer doctors perform is fat transfer, the number two operation that they do is put in more fat, and their third is removing excess fat!"

Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD

Michael A. Persky, MD
Encino Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 36 reviews

Massaging Cheeks after Fat Injection

July 2nd, 2011
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You are obviously still bruised and swollen. It is impossible to evaluate your result 2.5 weeks after surgery. Massaging will not eliminate the grafted fat, but may cause problems. Follow your surgeon's instructions.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

July 2nd, 2011

Massaging Cheeks after Fat Injection

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

You are obviously still bruised and swollen. It is impossible to evaluate your result 2.5 weeks after surgery. Massaging will not eliminate the grafted fat, but may cause problems. Follow your surgeon's instructions.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

Fat transfer

July 1st, 2011
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I would definitely WAIT at least 1 full month, before doing anything. After that, there are several options to deal with any result that you are not happy with. For now, I strongly advise waiting.

Khaled El-Hoshy, MD

Khaled El-Hoshy, MD
Detroit Dermatologic Surgeon

July 1st, 2011

Fat transfer

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I would definitely WAIT at least 1 full month, before doing anything. After that, there are several options to deal with any result that you are not happy with. For now, I strongly advise waiting.

Khaled El-Hoshy, MD
Detroit Dermatologic Surgeon

Can massage help remove fat injections

July 5th, 2011
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Sometimes massaging the fat will help the body take the fat away.  IMHO, your face appears broad laterally after the fat transfer.  I stopped using fat injections, many years ago, in favor of more reliable fillers (Perlane, Radiesse) and Cheek Implants.

Web reference: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whats-Your-Number-The-Palmer-Code/53723954087

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
July 5th, 2011

Can massage help remove fat injections

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Sometimes massaging the fat will help the body take the fat away.  IMHO, your face appears broad laterally after the fat transfer.  I stopped using fat injections, many years ago, in favor of more reliable fillers (Perlane, Radiesse) and Cheek Implants.

Learn more: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whats-Your-Number-The-Palmer-Code/53723954087

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.