Can The Buccal Fat Pads Be Transposed to the Cheeks/Undereyes?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I am interested in buccal fat transposition and/or fat transfer to lateral cheeks/undereyes. I have always had a fuller lower face, more so on left side. I’ve been told buccal fat removal isn’t ideal for me so I’m interested in repositioning of the fat pads. Thanks

A: Thank you for your inquiry to which I can make the following comments:

1) I believe you are referring to lower cheek fullness, which sits below the buccal fat pads. I believe it is correct that a buccal lipectomy would not be the solution for that concern. Such lower cheek fullness has to be treated by small cannula liposuction in the perioral and lateral facial areas for reduction.

2) for aesthetic augmentation of the under eye and lateral cheek areas buckle, fat transposition would only provide improvement to the lateral cheek and not the under eye area as it cannot be transposed that far.

3) The amount and quality of fat from perioral and lateral facial liposuction would not be enough to do fat transfer to the lower lid cheek junction. This would require a separate body donor site.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon