Is a face lift required for thick skin patients after buccal fat removal?

Question

I see patients complaining about droopy baggy skin after buccal fat removal. What can be done for them? How can the need for face lifts, fillers, fat grafts & other issues of "bagginess"/concavity be avoided in the first place? #buccal fat removal #side effects #baggy skin #droopy skin

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. In order to accurately answer your question, an in-person consultation would be very helpful.   The most important aspect is to find a
surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Buccal fat pad should only be performed on patients with full chubby cheeks.  In these patients, removal of the buccal fat pad will result in more angulation and definition in the cheek area.  There will not be excess or hanging skin.If buccal fat is removed on thinner patients, it can create a hallow appearance.  This can contribute to the appearance of loose skin.  Likely, these patients should not of had the procedure.  Patients that are good candidates for buccal fat removal should not require a facelift. I hope this helps.

Michael N. Desvigne, MD, FACS · Answer

Not necessarily.  Buccal fat removal is a specific procedure to address excess fat that causes an unwanted bulge in the lower face. Often it is seen and diagnosed after a face lift where once the skin and soft tissue is lifted there remains an area of excess volume in the cheek.  If the buccal fat excess is diagnosed prior to a face lift and removal is performed and there is not a significant amount of skin excess or laxity then a face lift is not necessary.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Buccal lipectomies rarely cause such a dramatic loss of facial support that skin tightening is needed. I have performed many buccal lipectomies and have never seen the need for secondary skin tightening procedures.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Buccal fat pad removal is often done for patients that see a bulge in their lower cheek or complain of fullness in that area.  A facelift is not always necessary.

Is a face lift required for thick skin patients after buccal fat removal?

Answers (8)

Answer: Buccal Lipectomies

Answer: Buccal Lipectomies

Answer: Buccal fat pad and facelifts

Answer: Buccal fat pad and facelifts

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Is a face lift required for thick skin patients after buccal fat removal?

Answers (8)

Answer: Buccal Lipectomies

Answer: Buccal Lipectomies

Answer: Buccal fat pad and facelifts

Answer: Buccal fat pad and facelifts

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.