Buccal Fat Pad in my Cheeks - Miami, FL

Talk about being misdiagnosed. Approximately 2 years ago I discovered a lump on my right cheek. I assumed it was caused by my filler. That perhaps it was injected incorrectly and clogged my lymphatic system somehow. For 2 years I visited 5 different doctors who told me various reasons of why my cheek was swollen. One doctor (Dr. Acra in Coral Gables) proceed to inject with my cheek with 7 vials of hyaluronic acid over the course of 7 months which dissolved the actual tissue in my cheek. After the 3rd vial I told him I could feel my actual cheek was smaller/skinnier/thinner. He insisted it was safe. After the 7th vial, I didn't feel it was right (AT ALL) so I went to another doctor who proceed to tell me it was salutatory nerve damage. Wrong again, your salutatory gland/nerves are 3 inches away from my lump. The next doctor, an ENT Dr. sent me for a CAT Scan. Still nothing. He couldn't find what was wrong. Then I was sent for an MRI. Then another told me I must have sediment built up from the filler and injected anti-inflammatory in my cheek.

2 years and 10,000 dollars later, I met Dr. Brandon Kallman who in literally 1 minute properly diagnosed me. He looked at me and immediately told me this is your buccal fat pad. I literally almost cried. He sat me down in his office and showed me numerous photos of the buccal fat pad. It was so obvious. How did all these other doctors miss it? You know why, no education. None of them were certified yet they all had big beautiful offices in ritzy areas of Miami which makes you think they must know what they are doing.

I immediately scheduled the surgery to remove it and I have never been happier. Dr. Kallman has amazing bed side manor which is rare to find in good plastic surgeons. He made me made feel comfortable and most importantly confident going into the surgery. The procedure took an hour. Absolutely no pain. No bruising. Only slight swelling (like a little chipmunk) for 3 days. The procedure was done from inside my mouth so no scar either..

I have recommended Kallman to all my girlfriends. When you find a doctor like this you don't let him go. He is so educated! I keep looking at myself in the mirror and cannot believe the lump is gone.

I will never get the tissue back in my cheek that Dr. Acra so willingly dissolved. I learned from this experience that you must research your doctors. Everyone is so willing to pump Botox, fillers, acid etc into you and they are not board certified.