How will sleeping on side of face after fat transfer to cheek affect it?

Question

I slept on the side of my face by accident around day 3 or 4 after my fat transfer to the upper cheeks and still sometimes do (it's been 3 weeks now). I noticed the side of my face I rarely sleep on seems bigger, however my Mom said that right after I got out of my surgery that cheek was bigger and more swollen and she even put an extra cool compress on it because of that. Do you think this is still a swelling issue or have I possibly ruined the fat transfer in one side of my face?

Brian M. Derby, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I wouldn't be concerned about having distorted your result. While swelling certainly can shift from one side to the other based on what's called dependent edema - swelling that occurs on the side of your face that you spend the most time on - I don't feel pressure from your pillow can increase the potential for fat loss or result distortion. At 3 weeks you are still early in your recovery. I have found that by 3 months out from surgery, the result is quite close to final in terms of what fat remains and what fat resorbs. Swelling is also sufficiently resolved by that time as well. Just give it time, and allow your surgeon to give his/her opinion at that point on whether additional volume may be required.

Robert Glasgold, MD, FACS · Answer

I do not think you should be worried that the position you slept in effected the symmetry.  It would not expect it to have any effect, I do not tell my patients to worry if they end up sleeping on their side.  Most faces are asymmetric before surgery and this tends to persist after.  Potentially you may be more aware of the asymmetry because of the natural tendency to study your face after surgery, or the added fullness may exaggerate the underlying asymmetry.  Regardless, at such an early stage after surgery, you still have significant swelling and you should wait for further healing to occur.  If it is an asymmetry that is just related to the amount of fullness, then a touch up could be done to add more to the side that needs it.  Generally the earliest I would consider adding more fat is after 6 months, and this is only in specific situations; oftentimes I would wait closer to a year before adding more fat.

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You most likely have not hurt anything.  If it is larger it is most likely swelling.  Avoid putting any more pressure on the face as much as possible.  See your surgeon and let him/her know.  Best of luck. Dr. Michael Omidi

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How will sleeping on side of face after fat transfer to cheek affect it?

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How will sleeping on side of face after fat transfer to cheek affect it?

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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.