Is there a test to make sure what you have is buccal fat before going for surgery?

Question

My face grew fat following hormone therapy and I tried lipodissolve for 4 mths. The jowls melted off but the buccal region doesn't respond to treatment and I look like a chipmunk. The plastic surgeon told me since I had buccal fat removal surgery 8 yrs ago it should not grow back. I looked at my old photos before that surgery and it seems to be the same problematic area. If I opt for liposuction and it turns out to be buccal fat instead of subcutaneous fat then there would be nothing to suction?

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Buccal fat once is removed if removed completely is gone forever even when the face gets fat due to diet or hormonal therapy. Therefore, if a patient a gained rounded face due to the before mentioned factors, it is very unlikely that buccal fat removal re-do will make the face thinner. The logical solution to the problem is to reverse the overall weight gain.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

A board certified plastic surgeon would be able to do your examination and let you know if the fat in your cheeks is from buccal fat.

Is there a test to make sure what you have is buccal fat before going for surgery?

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