Can one-sided fullness after facial fat grafting be corrected?
This content does not diagnose an individual's condition or guarantee the outcome of any treatment.
The condition after fat grafting and appropriate correction may vary with graft location and extent, residual fat distribution, time since surgery, and skin and surrounding tissue condition.
After facial fat grafting, some people are concerned that one cheek, side of the forehead, or temple looks unusually full, or that volume differs between sides.
Early after surgery, unequal swelling may cause temporary asymmetry.
However, persistent one-sided fullness after sufficient recovery requires assessment not only of swelling but also remaining fat volume and distribution, pre-existing asymmetry, and possible fat necrosis or nodules.
Why one side may look fuller after fat grafting
The face is not naturally perfectly symmetrical. Pre-existing skeletal or soft-tissue differences may become more noticeable after grafting.
Relatively more residual fat in one area or uneven distribution may also cause volume differences or contour irregularities.
It is therefore difficult to conclude simply that too much fat was injected on one side.
Early after surgery, further observation may be needed
Swelling and bruising occur immediately after fat grafting and commonly resolve at different rates on each side.
An early difference between sides does not immediately establish excess residual fat.
However, persistent focal fullness or a clear difference after sufficient recovery warrants assessment of the remaining fat and surrounding tissue.
Not every bulge is surviving grafted fat
A palpable or protruding area is not always normally surviving fat.
Fat necrosis, oil cysts, or lipogranulomas may also appear as localized lumps or nodules.
If a bulge is firm or the skin surface is uneven, choosing correction based only on fat volume is inappropriate.
Examination should first assess its location, extent, and feel, with ultrasound or other imaging when needed to assess the internal condition.
Correction of asymmetry depends on its cause
If excess residual fat is the cause, options are considered according to fat location and extent and surrounding tissue condition.
If a lesion such as fat necrosis is found, the approach differs from simple excess fat; observation or treatment is selected according to lesion type, size, and symptoms.
Smaller volume differences are more noticeable in the face than in the abdomen or thighs. Rather than indiscriminately reducing a bulge, the required reduction should be assessed in relation to a natural transition into surrounding areas.
Removing more does not necessarily improve symmetry
One-sided fullness may prompt a desire for maximal reduction, but excessive removal can cause hollowing, new asymmetry, or contour irregularities.
A natural, continuous overall contour is a more important criterion than the amount removed itself.
Can fat grafting performed long ago still be corrected?
Even long after grafting, one-sided fullness can be assessed for correction based on current fat distribution and tissue condition.
However, tissue condition may vary with the number and location of previous grafts and any subsequent filler or other treatments. Assessment should therefore focus on the current condition rather than elapsed time.
One-sided fullness can result from volume differences, uneven fat distribution, fat necrosis, or nodules. Identifying the cause comes before deciding how much to remove.
For concerns about asymmetry after facial fat grafting, contact 02-545-3700 or 'UVOM Plastic Surgery' on KakaoTalk.