Why do I have jowls after buccal fat removal?

Question

Hi I am 43 yrs old, post op 3 weeks from buccal fat removal. I def see more sculpted cheekbones but I seem to have worse jowls. It’s like I hollowed in my cheeks and the fat dropped into pockets of fat near mouth. Is it still edema? or is it loose dropped skin where fat used to be? or is it pockets of fat? I don’t want a facelift. How do I best lift this area for that vline jaw? Should I try Botox? I’m upset because the proportion of the fat in my face looks off Balance.

Miguel Mascaro, MD · Answer

Give it time.  At 3 weeks, you are looking great! Chances are some of this is some residual swelling that is slowly making its way down your face due to gravity.  Give it a little more time before deciding to do anything.  Keep your doc informed, and let the office know of your concerns.  Best of luck with the rest of the healing process!

Benjamin Caughlin, MD, FACS · Answer

Buccal fat removal and manipulation can be a great and transformational procedure in the right patient.  In your case this is likely just edema (swelling). Be patient. As things fibrose in you will loev the results I predict. Often times fat transfer in conjunction with this procedure is able to give a more “ideal” heart shaped face. This can make a significant difference in patients as a combo. It may seem counterintuitive to add fat when you say your problem is chubby cheeks. What we do is add fat around the cheeks to the side of the highest and most projected point of the cheek bone and taper it to the lower face. This helps to camouflage overly chubby cheeks.  This is especially helpful in thin women and in combination with buccal fat pad removal is a powerful maneuver. All of this can be done in clinic with some calming medications and local anesthesia.
I recommend getting a consult with a surgeon who does this procedure frequently to get a full facial analysis to make sure your specific goals are addressed. 
Hope this helps.
Best of luck.
DrC

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Buccal fat removal is frequently associated with mild swelling post surgery. The swelling tends to be minimal but it could last for several weeks. Therefore there results of the procedure won't be seen right away.At 3 weeks post-op there is still healing process going on. The final results of buccal fat removal could be seen after 3 MONTHS, when most of the healing process has happen.

Philip K. Robb Jr., MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question, I've had this experience before, buccal fat is volume, it's possible that when we decrease the volume, the skin envelope can change slightly. I'm unsure if this makes the jowls worse or it appears to accentute the jowls because of the loss in volume and thus it's more noticeable. I would recommend returning to your surgeon to discuss the options, things can continue to change as well. Hope this helps and God Bless!Dr. Robb Jr.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

You may still have swelling, which will gradually resolve over the next several weeks. If you remain concerned, I recommend following up with your surgeon. Hope this helps.

Why do I have jowls after buccal fat removal?

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Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Jowls after Buccal Fat Excision?

Answer: Jowls after Buccal Fat Excision?

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Why do I have jowls after buccal fat removal?

Answers (5)

Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Jowls after Buccal Fat Excision?

Answer: Jowls after Buccal Fat Excision?

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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.