Need to remove diffuse grafted fat but no lumps
Anonymous Patient · · Last reply 🌐 EN
I had fat transfer against my will to my face over 6 months ago. I know it was placed in my chin and cheeks because they feel heavier and fatter, but there are no lumps or nodules. No doctor wants to remove it for fear of removing my native fat as well. My original doctor does not remember exactly where he put the fat. He thinks from 5 ml to 20 ml of fat could have been injected. I just want it gone from my chin so I can have a more V shaped face.
1 Replies
Dr. Ta-Ju Liu · Board-certified dermatologist🌐 繁中 Doctor
Hello, I am Dr. Liu.
Direct Answer: Even without lumps or nodules after autologous fat grafting, treatment can still be evaluated, but the approach differs from "removing a single nodule." Grafted fat that has passed the six-month mark may have already survived and integrated with your original subcutaneous fat. Therefore, a full-face ultrasound evaluation must be performed first to determine the potential degree of improvement.
Possible Scenarios to Differentiate
- Whether the grafted fat has fused with the native fat, as there is usually no clear boundary between the two.
- The thickness, anatomical plane, and distribution of subcutaneous fat in the chin, jawline, and cheeks must be assessed using high-frequency ultrasound, combined with pre- and post-grafting photographs and your current facial shape.
General Treatment Direction
- If the evaluation confirms an obvious excess of fat in the chin or jawline and suitable tissue planes for treatment, a minimally invasive pinhole extraction method can be considered to selectively remove a portion of the excess fat. This helps restore a lighter, more natural look to the chin and jawline, bringing it as close as possible to the original V-line contour.
- The goal is not to "completely suction out all the grafted fat," as doing so could lead to depressions or irregularities. A safer approach involves conservative, layered, and minor adjustments centered on restoring natural proportions.
- Confirming the actual fat distribution first is essential to better determine the extent of possible improvement and the most suitable areas to treat.
When to Seek Medical Attention Promptly
If you experience redness, swelling, warmth, pain, fever, or skin discoloration at the graft site, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Online responses are for general health education purposes only and do not constitute a diagnosis, nor can they replace an in-person consultation and ultrasound examination.