Reversing Fat Transfer Results?

When fat grafting the face, it can take months for the swelling to go down. After 6 to 12 months, if you still have significant swelling or lumps, I would recommend micro-liposuction of the fat grafted areas. Micro-liposuction involves very small suction tubes (much smaller than the normal liposuction cannulas) with small openings to remove the extra fat.
If you still have concerns after 6 months, I recommend that you have a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has experience with micro fat grafting and micro fat liposuction.

I have never needed to do this on my patients as I never over correct with fat.  It may not dissolve.  However micro lipo and sometimes to the extreme of direct excisions have been done to remove these fat 

Hi, I would suggest discussing your concerns with your plastic surgeon. After three days, one would still expect swelling and possible bruising which may play a role in your concerns. There is the initial swelling and bruising which can take two or three weeks to subside although full results may not be apparent for 3 to 5 months. Sometimes waiting is the best solution.  You may find that you like the results! However, it is sometimes possible to remove fat through liposuction or direct excision. But be sure to check with your surgeon to make sure that there is not another issue. Hope this helps.

The swelling is most likely related to swelling, but I have reversed fat grafting performed by others using microcannula aspiration. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Fat injections always involve a certain amount of fat cells that will not live in the recipient area.  Doctors often compensate for this by adding more volume than would be needed when using an off-the-shelf filler such as Perlane, Juvederm Ultra Plus or Radiesse.  Also, there is some local anesthetic in the fat cells after they're harvested, even if the mixture is centrifuged to decant off the unwanted liquid.  Swelling is expected for several days to a week or more in some patients, depending on how the injections are done and in which plane the material is deposited..

It has been a good period of time since your treatment. Most of the swelling should have resolved.
Ultrasound, oral prednisone, Homeopathic medications and topical Traumeel can help with swelling.
If the area is still full, then I would consider micro-liposuction or dilute steroid injections, depending on the degree of deformity.

As most of the other surgeons have stated, three days after fat injection is far too soon to comment on the results. The good news is that most of the fat placed will be gone.

Can fat transfer be reversed? Yes, but it is very difficult in certain area. Any facial filler, be it fat, Radiesse, etc. is difficult to reverse with the exception of Restylane (HA family).

The fat which has been placed was most likely placed in multiple layers throughout the face with very small amounts (microfat graft, FAMI, etc). Trying to remove a small amount of fat that has become integrated with your body is very difficult.

Frequently patients do not complain about the amount of fat but small hard areas which they can palpate. Steroid injections may be a good place to start, but not earlier than one year.

I agree with Dr. Moelleken in that time is an important part of your progress. When you posted this question you were three days out. You were likely at the peak of your swelling at that point. The swelling should begin to resolve and you should begin to see differences at 2-4 weeks.
The final result will likely take about 6 months to achieve. If, at that point, you feel like fat has been over-grafted, you can have micro-lipo suction through the same incisions to remove some fat.
However, right now, time is your friend. Give your body the time it needs to heal and the results to settle.
As always, contact your surgeon if you have concerns about your post-op course.
I hope this helps.
Steve Williams, MD

Three days after any procedure is far too soon to assess any results.
Fat injections do typically reduce greatly over time, often altogether. No doubt your doctor has told you about cold packs and elevation, and waiting it out until the swelling from surgery reduces. If the swelling is abnormal or you have any doubt, obviously check with your doctor to make sure there is no abnormal bleeding in the tissues that causes undue swelling.
Once typically 6 months have gone by, that is usually the time to assess critically to see if any revisions need to be done, rarely before that time point. Specifically with the technique of fat injection, some of the retained voloume may consist of nonviable fatty cysts, so it may be possible for your doctor to "smoosh" some of them with direct pressure, causing rupture of the fatty cysts. Obviously you should not try this yourself.
In my experience, fat injection fat can be tough, like gristle, and can be quite difficult to remove with liposuction or from certain areas such as the lower eyelids (we do not do fat injection techniques in the lower eyelid area). Revisions in the nasolabial area are generally much more straightforward.
Patients may also want to consider nontraumatized fascial fat grafts (LiveFill), which have greater viability when they are placed and therefore do not require overcorrection.
But again, 3 days after surgery the mirrors in your house should generally be taped over and you should be catching up on your reading and DVD collection!

Hi, thanks for your question.  When a fat transfer procedure is done, considering that some of the injected fat will not persist, the surgeon will tend to overfill the area which may cause excessive fullness, especially if most or all of the fat survives.  This could be the scenario for your recent experience. However, rest assured that some of the fullness will subside and you will be left with less fat in the cheek area.  The thing about fat transfer, is that the excess fat will resolve in a short period of time.  You will do yourself a favour by waiting just a little bit longer.  And to your question on whether it is possible to have the fat transfer removed or reversed, you will be pleased to know that fat can in fact be removed the same way it was introduced, by the use of a micro cannula. But once again, let me caution you to please wait for at least 3-4 months before considering