Worse Nasolabial Folds Because of Buccal Fat Removal?

Question

Hi! I'm 25 and underwent buccal fat removal in February of this year because I always wanted a slimmer face, before this became a "trend". I requested that this be done modestly and that only about half of the buccal fat pad be removed, but unfortunately, I think more was removed. I am now noticing sagging nasolabial folds appearing that I haven't seen before. Is the buccal fat removal the cause of this? And what are ways to reverse this, other than filler? Can this be fixed?

Bianca Knoll, MD · Answer

thank you for posting your question and fotos. Although a buccal fat removal should not have a direct impact onto the nasolabial fold, the reduction of the volume may contribute to an accentuation you noted. The mid volume of  the cheek is less, and the natural, youthful padding is less. This happens naturally when we age. Restoring the volume of your buccal fat can be achieved with lipofilling from the inside of your mouth using a small cannula.  Buccal fat removal was so hyped by social media. It can be a great solution for some, but not for all. I hope you will be able to achieve your goals together with your plastic surgeon.  I put some  facts & myths  about this procedure in the link below. I hope this helps.

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Buccal fat removal is a procedure that has no impact on the nasolabial folds or smile lines. Nasolabial folds are influenced by various factors, including the prominence of cheekbones, the bone structure around the nose, and the elasticity of facial skin. It's a common misconception among individuals undergoing facial surgery to attribute any new facial observations to their recent procedure. However, these observations often existed before surgery, only becoming more noticeable as patients pay closer attention to their appearance post-surgery.

It's essential to note that buccal fat removal doesn't exacerbate nasolabial folds. In fact, if that were the case, individuals with naturally fuller cheeks would have no nasolabial folds at all. For patients seeking improvement in their nasolabial folds, dermal fillers like Voluma and Versa offer effective solutions worth considering. These fillers can help enhance facial contours and reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. It is very unlikely that removing buccal fat would have a meaningful impact on the depth or severity of the nasolabial folds. Having said that, your concern about your appearance remains. One alternative to filler is lipotransfer (microfat grafting). It is something that should be assessed in person in consultation with a facial plastic surgeon or a provider with similar credentials. Weight loss and loss of cheek projection can also change the appearance of the cheeks and NL fold; there are very nuanced factors to consider.
Best,Dr. Tower

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello julsleo! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Shah Facial Plastics. This is a great question. Based on the images and your concerns, injecting the areas of concern with dermal filler is definitely an option. I highly recommend scheduling an in-person consultation in order to better assess your areas of concern and discuss an appropriate treatment plan to help achieve your aesthetic goals. Our office phone number is: (312) 944-0117. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Worse Nasolabial Folds Because of Buccal Fat Removal?

Answers (4)

Answer: Dermal Filler

Answer: Dermal Filler

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Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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Worse Nasolabial Folds Because of Buccal Fat Removal?

Answers (4)

Answer: Dermal Filler

Answer: Dermal Filler

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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.