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POSTED UNDER Buccal Fat Removal REVIEWS

Excessive Buccal Fat Extraction leading to Baggy Face. London, GB. Subsequent Face & neck lift needed to correct it.

ORIGINAL POST

I have to admit that for someone who researched...

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BieneMaya
I have to admit that for someone who researched their rhinoplasty surgeon so carefully I really dropped the ball on my other procedures.
I had never been happy with the shape of my cheeks as they looked somewhat hamster like, especially on one side. I have had consultations for a facelift but was told I didn't need one. What I wanted was the pouchy look to be lifted somehow.
As far as I understood buccal fat pad extraction would have a mild effect on the shape of my face. During the consultation that the surgeon did make it clear that once the fat is removed it is gone forever. He did mention that there may a slight loss of firmness, but this could be corrected using a skin laser tightening procedure or a little filler in extreme circumstances.
I was impressed that he seemed to know all of the possible corrections for the surgery so decided to go ahead.
Know one thing about me, when I come round from the general anaesthetic the world is a happy smiley place, I could receive the worst news ever and I would not receive it badly. So when he came in looking worried and said he thought he'd taken too much fat out I was not bothered. It was only later on the come down from the anaesthetic that I looked at the alien shape face in the mirror and wondered what on earth had I done.
This was not a subtle effect but a clear skeletal one. Right from the start one side of my face was showing folds where they had been known before, the other puffed up and swollen from the surgery.
I began to dread the healing process knowing that the swelling would go down and both sides would probably be the same.
People began to ask my family if I was seriously ill. I chalked up the weight loss to having a stomach bug but knew that I needed correction imminently.
Initially the surgeon claimed he could not see that I had a problem, and then during the consultation all of the corrections he mentioned prior to surgery were certainly not applicable.
He explained that the area (the one he claimed he couldn't see I had a problem with) was too large for filler and as an interim measure I was given Botox into my smile muscle too dull my facial expression so that the folds would not show so badly.
I was then left with the only option of fat transfer and felt I had no other choice but to go with that. I was rejected by other surgeons because of my low weight and their reluctance to work on the correction needed so soon after my previous surgery.
Although logical in retrospect, it was not highlighted to me that when fat is removed from tissue it has acted as a support and that tissue will then droop and sag.
I have now been left with a baggy face, and have a consultation soon with a top surgeon with a view to correct the sagging with a facelift. All in all at the amount that I have paid so far could have almost paid for the facelift that I wanted in the first place! I know that I am lucky to have one but this was not exactly how I planned on spending my inheritance.
As an aside, I was assured by my surgeon during my initial consultation that he would waive his surgical fee for any revisions, I do need to check with his office why I was actually charged, because I strongly think that the second surgery with him was a necessary correction of his mistake.
I did actually want my upper blephs done but by this stage had sadly lost my faith in my surgeon performing other procedures. I felt that if that went wrong too I would look and feel like a complete idiot.

I would warn anyone to think very carefully about having this surgery. It certainly has not worked out well for me, now I will always have a very different face from the one that I wanted and there is no guarantee that the fat transfer I had to try and remedy it will remain in place for long.

Replies (31)

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April 13, 2015
You story is an eye- opener to those of us out there who are a sha
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April 13, 2015
You story is an eye - opener for those of us out there who are simply dissatisfied with their chubby cheek. Please don't give in to despair but rather fight like a warrior that you're so you came overcome this dilemma. Good luck!
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November 18, 2015
Thank you. Well, hopefully I now have my silver (costly) lining in that I had a face and neck lift to correct it...
April 15, 2015
How much fat did the PS remove?
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April 15, 2015
He didn't say. All I can say is "way too much"!
April 19, 2015
Thank u for sharing your story. I was diying to have this procedure done but you helped me changef my mind and i thank u for it. You should do some research about this doctor see if he has had any complaints follow trough with a complaint yoursrlf yhere is s site were you look for the doctor and u get to rate him i hope everything works out for u sorry u had to experience this thank u again best of luck
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April 26, 2015
Thanks Lizval. I went with him because of his good reviews, he is a general surgeorn and has a great reputation but is known for one specific area of expertise in particular. I wish I'd have stuck with that one expert area and I'd have been happy. I've been waiting for 6 months to see the results of my fat transfer before making any consultations with other surgeons. I have a consult soon with a top guy so I have my fingers crossed the he will be able to help. Also my surgery window is probably October and by then I suspect even more of the fat transfer will have been absorbed as a few little lumpy pockets of fat seem to be becoming apparent (to me in certain lighting) and the folds of my cheeks are increasing again so if I look down even slightly I get a facial concertina effect.
April 23, 2015
Do you have any more pictures? I actually think you look great in the after pics presented. I can see what you mean in your befores as I have a touch mm of the chipmunk cheek myself and have considered buccal removed. Im sorry to hear what you've had to go through however with laxity and fat graft. Sounds disappointing and expensive.
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April 26, 2015
I've added a few more in which you can see the not so great look. A facial concertina effect to my entire cheeks if I look down slightly. The natural angle of reading or looking at a lap top screen, stove, dinner plate etc. I'm seeing less fat staying and little pockets becoming lumpy. Just what I didn't want. The cheeks also feel empty to the pinch-touch. I can feel the muscle layer the another layer which has normal feel of skin when you grab it, then as I roll my fingers gently off the pinch I get the odd feeling of holding empty loose skin. Very disappointing.
UPDATED FROM BieneMaya

Another shot of baggy face

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BieneMaya
I tried to add this before but the site kept crashing on me

Replies (4)

April 26, 2015
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I've had two consultations for this surgery, and the advice has been mixed (I'm 50, btw). One doc said I'm a good candidate, the other grimaced when I asked her about the surgery and advised I not take out the "beautiful" fat out of my face at my age. I opted for Radiesse to fill my upper cheeks and temples. It gave a very slight "lift" to my lower cheeks and restored proportion to my face. I'm sorry you had this experience, but thanks again for sharing. You may have saved others from going through something similar.
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April 26, 2015
Thanks for your message, I felt I had to share my story because if I didn't people wouldn't be able to make informed decisions about going ahead with their surgery. You did the right thing in my opinion. I had radiesse a few months ago. It looked great for about 3 weeks and did give me a needed lift. I probably need to have more than just the one siringe but the Dr who injected it (quite rightly) said to do it little by little to see how I took to it. I can actually feel a line of the radiesse on one side (is that normal?) and I'm reluctant to get more just get in case it interferes with my potential face lift surgery to correct my baggy face.
April 27, 2015
The incremental approach is best. I had two syringes of Radiesse on 4/23/15 in both in my cheek and temple area. It gave me a slight lift which provided more balance overall. I may go back for one more syringe after living with it for a few more weeks. Your post definitely helped steer me away from this surgery. I hope all turns out well for you.
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May 9, 2015
Thanks for your advice. I have a possible window in a few months for fillers.
UPDATED FROM BieneMaya

If I look down a little then this happens;

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BieneMaya

Replies (20)

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April 24, 2015
If I look down at the sort of angle of reading a book then this happens.
April 26, 2015
The exact same thing is happening to me right now and it is the worst mistake of my entire life. After 2weeks i knew a made a dread decision. That same sagging and line is what i have right now i must note it left me assymetrical and it will take more money to fix this problem. I am so depress and unhappy i am emotionsl evem expressing my feelings.
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April 26, 2015
Oh gosh, you too. I looked at your review and note that we had different surgeons but the same depressing outcome. I didn't realise the impact of bad surgery psychologically. I guess I thought beforehand "well I hate the shape of my face, I'm paying a lot to have it made beautiful, what could really go wrong?". I hadn't appreciated that when something goes wrong that old face That
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April 26, 2015
(finger brushed against send!) That old face we hated we'd give anything just to have that back! I'm self conscious about how I stand, move my head etc as I can go from looking normal to a star trek extra and back in a number seconds because my face will suddenly look odd.
April 26, 2015
Me too im very concious of my facial position if your viewing me from the left it is a disaster when i look down and if your viewing me from the right i am so sunken its crazy
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April 26, 2015
I caught sight of myself in a restaurant mirror while eating and the clear outline of the food in my mouth seen through my cheeks was so disturbing that it actually shocked me.
April 27, 2015
It is energy draining and time consuming. It will literally drive u crazy i almost gave uo but i have to hold on im sufffering alone because i havent told no one i know so i have to seek help fixing it alone. Smh
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April 27, 2015
I know exactly what you mean. Hubs just thought it was because I had a stomach bug and so I've styled it out that that has left me drained. There is that constant wishing that I could rewind time and cancel the procedure (which I almost did).
May 2, 2015
I have a question how old are you and what is your skin type? Since they do say this happens if you are older and that if your older it might be better to just get a face lift. Also for those that did not like their results please answer same question. I am scheduled for procedure im 24 and male and im very curious to hear more.
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May 9, 2015
I'm in my early 40s (commonly regarded as too young for a face lift) and have skin with good/fair elasticity.
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May 9, 2015
I'm no dr but it looks like you might need a lower facelift to get rid of the sagging. So sorry you are going through this.
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May 9, 2015
It looks that way to me too. I've a consultation already booked with a different top surgeon and I really hope he will be able to fix things for me.
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May 9, 2015
I'm sure they can fix it and just think how good you will look with a slimmer "tighter" face!
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May 9, 2015
I think I could use a lower lift! Best of luck!
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May 9, 2015
I'm trying to look on the bright side that with a lift I'll maybe have more of a Vogue face than a rogue face!
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May 9, 2015
U will!
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May 9, 2015
:) Thanks x
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November 18, 2015
So I've now got my 'Vogue face' rather than my 'rogue face' after having a face and neck lift, hopefully it will all improve as I heal...
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June 6, 2015
Thank you for detail account of your experience. I wish you lots of luck with the revision and results you're looking for.
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November 18, 2015
Thanks Skyle, I think I have them now after a face and neck lift, but it was rather costly.