Correcting an over-filled fat transfer to cheeks, 30 years post op. Can this be removed during facelift? What are my options?

Question

About 30 years my cheeks were way over-filled. I was looking to repair some collagen loss, but a great deal of fat was transferred. The doctor put the fat in with a needle from inside my mouth. The left side is worse. Im going on 67 yrs old and should also get at least a lower face lift, but I don’t want to do that without being able to correct the fat transfer. Kybella? Liposuction? Cut out during facelift? Thank you

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

There are often contour problems with fat transfers. Depending on your situation a facelift combined with targeted liposuction could offer some improvement. However injected fat is sometimes not as easy to remove  as you might think but I think it could be worthwhile to do that. Don’t bother with kybella. It’s expensive, painful and hard to control

James M. Economides, MD, FACS · Answer

To correct overfilling of the cheeks with fat, it is important to know where the fat was placed. Your surgeon may be able to tell this by palpating on exam. For best results, the fat will likely need to be removed directly during a facelift as the other methods are not as controlled or predictable.

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Your  situation can be treated at the time of a facelift, depending on the exact location of the transferred fat.  At the time of elevating the facial and neck flaps for a facelift, liposuction and/or surgical trimming of more superficial fat can be performed.  However, if the fat is deep to or within muscles, there would be more risk of complications such as nerve injury, so I would only consider treating the more superficial fat.  I have personally used this approach successfully in a patient who had fat transfer that later increased in size with weight gain over the years.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hello there! Great questions. During a facelift, fat can be removed. I wouldn't recommend Kybella due to the number of treatments needed and many times unsatisfying results. Liposuction in the face can be very tricky and can lead to deformity (streaking) if not performed very judiciously. By performing a facelift procedure, especially if deep plane, great improvements can be made in terms of symmetry and volume. Hope this helps!

Correcting an over-filled fat transfer to cheeks, 30 years post op. Can this be removed during facelift? What are my options?

Answers (4)

Answer: Facelift and Fat Transfer

Answer: Facelift and Fat Transfer

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Correcting an over-filled fat transfer to cheeks, 30 years post op. Can this be removed during facelift? What are my options?

Answers (4)

Answer: Facelift and Fat Transfer

Answer: Facelift and Fat Transfer

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Everything you need to know about Facelift

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