Why Didn’t My Cheek Bulges Go Away After Buccal Lipectiomies?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had buccal fat surgery 4 months ago for prolapsed buccal fat pads. However I still seem to have the prolapsed fat pad. Would you agree this is what it looks like? It seems to be quite clearly visible on one cheek. And I have what looks like balls either side of my chin.

A: Any comment that I would make by just looking at the pictures would be pure speculation. If you really want to know what constitutes those full areas that have been diagnosed as prolapsed buccal fat get a 2-D CT scan, which will absolutely confirm what is the cause of those masses.

But if you want me to speculate, I would doubt that those ever were prolapsed buccal fat pads. If they were and the surgery was done correctly, then they would be gone. Thus I would get a CT scan for further insight and you might have argued from the beginning a CT scan would’ve been the best thing to do initially. But as I stated previously, this is just speculation.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon