Can I have the same face as before my buccal fat pad removal? (Photo)

Question

I went through a rhinoplasty 20 days ago and my doctor decided to remove my buccal fat to make my face more "harmonic". I did have big cheeks but they were not big enough to have this procedure done. Everyone says I look good but when I look in the mirror I feel like I have the tired/old look. My cheeks used to make me look so young. My face doesn't look sunken or hollow but I do think I look older. Is it possible to have my old cheeks with fat grafting? Will they be the same as before? :(

John Mesa, MD · Answer

When patients undergo buccal fat removal ( with other practitioners) and are dissatisfied with the results because their faces look "old" or "tired" is very likely because they have poor cheek bones and they were not addressed at the same time.In my practice, I always evaluate the structure of the cheek bones on a patient interested in buccal fat removal. If a patient is candidate for buccal fat removal and he/she has poor cheek bones, they MUST enhance their cheeks ideally with soft tissue fillers like voluma  or I DON"T perform the surgery. Without good cheek bones buccal fat removal won't deliver the results It could and the patient will be dissatisfied.

Malik Kutty, MD · Answer

Fat grafting can be an excellent means of building volume in the cheeks. When a broad area like this has to be filled in, it usually has to be done in two steps, but can produce a very nice shape.

Can I have the same face as before my buccal fat pad removal? (Photo)

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Can I have the same face as before my buccal fat pad removal? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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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.