Can fat grafting to the temples cause lumps or unevenness?

Question

I'm considering having this procedure (just to the temple area), but worry about lumps or unevenness. Is this very common? Is the temple area particularly challenging? The reason I'm thinking of doing it is b/c I'll be having another surgery & thought I could do it at the same time as fillers are expensive to upkeep. Any advice? Thanks!

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

Fat transfer is a very rewarding procedure when done properly and if reasonable expectations are set. With temples, there is always a process of "two steps forward, one step back" because there will definitely be fat resorption unless deeper grafting is done into the temporalis muscle. This is easier to do if you are already doing a brow lift. But there is no doubt that fat transfer is probably the least predictable surgery that we perform. Having said that, it can be also be a very natural and long lasting result.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

HappyEmoji I appreciate your concern, and fat grafting to the temple region is a quite common and rewarding procedure. Fat grafting to this area is usually successful because the skin is a bit thicker and contour irregularities are easily filled with fat without lumpiness. It is often performed with other procedures like facelift. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a full evaluation. Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

this topic came up yesterday. Wraps your question is in part based on that. 
 There are a friend and atomic areas or layers in the temple region. 
 The deepest includes the temporalis muscle.  If that is grafted into the muscle then the graft may do reasonably well.  If that is grafted more superficially then there will be 18 almost absolute lack of host tissue to revascularized the grafted fat.  Considering the amount of volume that's often needed anything but a very thin layer of fat will most likely not survive it.  Fat that does not survive well necrosis and can become firm, lumpy and will lose the desired volume. 
 Anyone who claims to show great expertise and for this procedure should demonstrate after pictures taken at least six months after the procedure to demonstrate competence and that the procedure can be done successfully. 
 Anyone can show great results taken a few weeks after the procedure.  That's not the point. That is very different than long-term results with fat transfer. 
 Fat transfer results can unfortunately be posted in highly misleading and unethical ways by posting early results which are not reflective of final results.  Greed and temptation( no pun intended) seem a bit Omni present in this field. 
 I know Dr. Val Lambros it was a national speaker at our national conferences on a regular basis speaks poorly of this procedure. He has an extensive amount of experience with facial fat transfer and facial aesthetic surgery in general. 
 It would be great if you end up having this procedure it would share your experience by posting six months afterwards. I think we could all use a bit of enlightenment from the patient's perspective. 
 Best, 
Mats Hagstrom MD

Can fat grafting to the temples cause lumps or unevenness?

Answers (3)

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