POSTED UNDER Buccal Fat Removal REVIEWS
Deeply regret buccal fat removal surgery
ORIGINAL POST
Deeply regret buccal fat removal surgery
Linda4343October 21, 2021
$2,500
I decided to get buccal fat removal surgery in August 2021 for one side of my face. This was to make my face look more symmetrical as one cheek has always been larger. The patient coordinator assured me I would not lose cheekbone fat. It's now about 2 months post op and I deeply regret my decision. My cheek looks deflated and now I have a gaunt looking fold in the lower part of my face. I'm 31 and don't want to do fillers for the rest of my life so I'm looking into facial fat transfer. Facial fat transfer is very expensive and no guarantee you're going to look the same. Please please please do your research and make sure they don't take away too much fat. If you're in your 20s, I would definitely caution against this procedure. Visit several doctors and make sure you know what you're getting into! To me, this procedure was not worth it and all it did was make me age and look gaunt. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to embrace my cheeks. Fat is gold especially as you age!
Linda4343's provider
UPDATED FROM Linda4343
5 months post
Disappointed with buccal fat removal
Linda4343January 28, 2022
I got buccal fat removal on one side to improve facial symmetry. I'm very disappointed with the results as I now have a gaunt-like appearance on that side. Either I was never the right candidate for this procedure or too much fat was taken out. I wanted a very conservative fat removal. I am now seeking a pricey fat transfer procedure to restore my lower cheek area.
Replies (13)
January 29, 2022
I did it on one side (right) as well in August 2020, I now have a deeper nasolabial fold on that side, a sunken look, and somehow weird dark hyperpigmentation. I am only 22 and I feel like this has aged me so hard. I look back at photos from when I was 17/18 and cry because I hated myself soo much then but looking back I was perfect and should have never touched anything. I am here if you need to talk.
January 30, 2022
I completely empathize with everything that you're feeling. :( It's very tough to look at old pictures of myself and I also feel I have a deeper nasolabial fold. I'm going for a filler consultation next week because I also lost volume in my upper cheek area. I was looking into fat transfer but mentally I don't think I'm ready for another procedure again. Buccal fat removal depleted my confidence. I'm here if you ever need to talk or vent about this!
February 13, 2022
The buccal fat pad extends from the temple, to under the cheek bone, all the way down to buccal/lower cheek extension of the buccal fat pad where doctors usually excise it from. The buccal fat pad removal you had caused the upper part of the buccal fat pad to be moved downward, not to mention trimming it. So now you are left with a hollower upper cheek and hollower lower cheek. SOrry you are going through this
February 13, 2022
Exactly. My upper cheekbone fat feels flatter and also my temple area. I'm currently looking into fillers or a fat transfer in the future. I'm not a fan of this procedure at all.
February 13, 2022
yeah... they never tell you the buccal fat pad has to literally be moved downward from its higher position just to trim the bottom part.... which of course means the upper extension of the buccal fat pad will be hollowed as well..
February 13, 2022
I know it’s not what you want to hear, but the asymmetry visible in these pics hardly takes away from the beauty of your face. Most people wouldn’t even notice in this very photo, unless you pointed it out. They would just think it’s lighting making one side more slightly full and the other slightly more sharp. It’s a slight difference, and no one will notice but you. I hope you find a solution to this that works for you, though. I know friends tell me “nooo, don’t get that done” or “but you can’t even notice it” about things I want work done on but it doesn’t matter because it’s about what I see on my own face lol! But I just wanted to share some positivity.
February 13, 2022
Thank you for your kind words! I really appreciate them. It's been tough looking at my "new" face everyday but I'm trying to remain positive.
February 13, 2022
take a look here.... https://www.realself.com/review/zurich-ch-reverse-buccal-fat-removal-reversed-buccal-fat-removal
February 17, 2022
Do you know how many cc’s were taken out? I really don’t understand why doctors aren’t more conservative with this procedure as the best results are the ones where you can’t really see a difference. Why would a doctor take out so much from the entire cheek region knowing you’re going to look haggard in 5 years? It’s made me really hate plastic surgeons in general and see them as women hating predators tbh
February 17, 2022
Unfortunately, I called to ask how many cc's they took out and they told me they don't record that. All I have is a picture of the actual buccal fat they took out. I told him I wanted something conservative but when I went to the post op meeting he proudly said that he took out a lot. I was devastated as I realized he did not listen to what I wanted and this only made me realize that I went with the wrong surgeon.
February 18, 2022
https://www.realself.com/review/facial-fat-transfer-correct-horrible-buccal-fat-removal
UPDATED FROM Linda4343
6 months post
Currently seeking facial fat transfer to restore my face. About 6 months post op now. Will be posting for updates.
Linda4343February 25, 2022
Replies (21)
March 6, 2022
Wish you the best for your corrective fat transfer! I also did the buccal fat removal procedure and one side was over-resected and left a similar result to yours so I appreciate your updates on this
March 6, 2022
Definitely! I'll keep updating. If you're interested, I'm also part of a discord group for people that got buccal fat removal and are now looking for ways to restore their face via fat transfer or through other procedures. We share research and surgeons. If you're interested in joining, feel free to inbox me so I can send you a link.
March 14, 2022
I’m definitely interested as I’m desperately looking for any solutions at this point, I sent a message to your inbox.
November 13, 2024
I would love to have the link as well I got it removed and I’m desperately trying to find solutions. I’m still sitting here baffled why this is a surgery…it’s like sergeants gaslight themselves and patients. This has been such a nightmare
March 12, 2022
I commented on your other post dr Benjamin Caughlin in Chicago. he may have something for you. Get multiple opinions though.
August 23, 2022
He did my buccal fat and I have the same result as her. Fat transfer fixed some but still some deformity
June 17, 2022
So sorry your results weren't as expected. Did the doctor offer any type of correctional treatments? In your previous posts it appears there's some asymmetry of the mouth but the picture on this post looks much better. Did the procedure cause any asymmetry to the mouth? Best of luck in finding a correctional procedure.
June 17, 2022
Thanks for reaching out. I never went back to the surgeon. I'm looking for other surgeons who specialize in facial plastic surgery for a fat transfer. My only options at this point are sculptra (I don't want to get this done) or fat transfer. I have a consult with another surgeon next month. I had asymmetry in my mouth prior to the procedure (my lips always dropped slightly to the right) but the buccal fat removal made the asymmetry worse since my lower face doesn't feel supported. It feels saggier.
June 20, 2022
Hi there! Could you add me to the discord for other patients seeking facial fr transfer to restore their face? I’m currently looking into this as well!
August 25, 2022
Could you please add me to the discord? I’m currently dealing with regret over buccal fat removal
Replies (22)