Fat transfer in the cheeks muscle - what are the risks?

The long term survival of the fat depends on the adherence to gentle harvest, minimal manipulation during purification, and placement that maximizes blood supply in the recipient site.  Anything that helps these three things will help fat survive in excess of 60% of the initial transfer.  That is why the surgeon choice is important.   Based on data, fat from the abdomen has the highest survival rate (lots of stem cells in there), harvested with low vacuum syringes with cell friendly cannulas.  Purification with limited centrifugation or specific harvest systems commercially available.  Replacement with small cannulas in microtunnels with lots of blood supply.  So to answer your question, it has been published about repositioning fat in muscle (called FAMI).  Good blood supply, but quite frankly the facial muscle target is thin and would hurt from all that swiss cheese treatment.  So placement in multiple planes of the subcutaneous tissue is performed.  Deeper placement hides better, and can push against the facial skeleton to lift more efficiently.  In my opinion, thats the most important factors

One of the fundamental rules of plastic surgery is replacing normal tissue with normal tissue.  Fat typically does not reside in muscle.  In my opinion, fat in the subcutaneous space gives the most natural result in the safest way.  Injecting into the subcutaneous space poses fewer risks than injecting into the muscles (the small delicate muscles of the face will not be injured and it is less likely to inject the fat into blood vessels).

Fat transfer is a great option to consider to rejuvenate cheeks, including those with thin skin. Fat transfer can be performed in isolation, or combined with other procedures such as a facelift
Plastic surgeons may transfer fat in different levels or planes. Generally, the deeper the injection, then the less likely for lumps. Fat is not injected into the dermis. Every procedure has inherent risks, including but not limited to an undesired appearance. If you haven't already, then speak with a plastic surgeon to help determine if fat transfer is an appropriate option.
Best,
Dr .Chaboki

Hello! Fat transfer is a nice way of improving volume to the midface. There are risks with all surgery, and with fat transfer there are risks at both the harvest site- lumpiness, uneven contour etc and the recipient site- injury to nerves, bleeding, etc. As far as common, there are surgeons who like fat and those who don't. Those who don't typically dislike the significant resorption (half or more of injected fat resorbs or goes away) which is variable and somewhat unpredictable and potential for asymmetry. Fillers are now quite sophisticated, require no anesthesia and last years rather than months and many surgeons prefer this route. I would recommend doing research on all options and then deciding which route is best for you. good luck!

Yes, fat transfer can be used to improve this area and is a safe procedure. Fat transfer technique is important for successful fat transfer. I recommend water-assisted fat harvesting which gives pure fat to transfer and combine with platelet rich plasma (PRP) to get the most viable and sustainable fat cells. I combine with Sculptra to improve final results. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

it is quite common to inject fat into each of those layers.  The important part of fat grafting is placing the fat into layers that can give it blood supply so the fat lives.  This is highly dependent on the quality of the placement by your surgeon.  The risks are low. The biggest risk is loss of the fat and again this is mostly dependent upon the surgeon.  Best of Luck!