How Can I Reverse A Buccal Lipectomy?

Q: Dr. Eppley, had a buccal fat removal which I truly regret. It has thrown off my face proportions and now my face looks very long and narrow. The surgeon assured me that it was a myth that it could age the face and he assured me it would not happen. Are there ways to restore volume in that area to recover plumpness and width? I would give anything to have my old face back. I think I was the wrong candidate for this procedure, since my face was long already and I have poor cheekbone volume. I already tried 2 syringes of Voluma but I still feel like there is something missing in my face.

A:While buccal lipectomies can be a very effective procedure in the properly selected patient, it is not a myth that it can age the face in someone who was never a good candidate for it. Anyone that would say otherwise simply lacks enough experience in doing the procedure or does not have a very good eye for patient selection. In reversing buccal lipectomy’s fat must be replaced. Whether this is done by fat injections into the subcutaneous space of the or the placement of dermal fat grafts back into the now empty buccal space can be debated and each approach has their advantages and disadvantages. One can even consider submalar cheek implants on the masseteric fascia which lies  in the intermediate layer between the subcutaneous space of the cheeks and the deep buccal fat space. Which approach is best has to be determined on an individual patient basis.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon