Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Dr. Lam - will fat grafting help my chin? I am not sure what it is called, but my chin when I take pictures shows what I think may be called folds. I am not fat, and my chin is not fat, but it looks awful!
Also, will building up one's muscles with a microcurrent stimulation treatment help before fat grafting?

hi,
1. i have no idea what you are talking about unless you are just talking about some of the skin creases that come with aging like a deeper wrinkle. if that is the case, fat should not help those wrinkles since it is to fill contour not lines. however, in some cases after a year, there is an improvement in the line due to stem cell responses to the overlying skin.
2. microcurrent should not hurt but it will doubtfully be of much use prior to fat grafting.
best,
ml

Regarding the chin creases - if it is the same thing we are talking about - what can be done for those. I think these bother me more than anything else!
Is microcurrent stimulation worthy of the hype for toning facial muscles?
Thank you for your board - it is great.

I know that those lines bother you. Why do I know? I have 10 consults a day and ALL 10 WOMEN no matter what I see are bothered by those lines. Here is what you need to do:
1. THROW AWAY your 8x or 10x magnifying mirror. Those lines oftentimes don't make you older (sometimes they do) but they make you think you do. I always hear, "I now look like my mother." I had a patient sitting in front of me the other day, who said, "Dr. Lam, whatever you do please just get rid of these lines around my mouth." I said, "What lines?" Then I asked Linda, my assistant, "Can you see my patient's lines?" She said, "No." Then I asked Linda, "Can you see your own lines?" She said, "Of course!". Then I asked my patient, "Do you see Linda's lines?" She says, "No, she has no lines." Get my point? Even if you can see those lines with a normal mirror that is because you are already obsessed with them.
2. Okay, if the lines are due to bad habits like sucking on straws, smoking, or just pursing your lips, you should stop those activities. That will help a lot. If you find you can't stop that behavior, do some Botox. That will help break your habit even though it can affect your speech like the way you say "P" and "B". However, it is short lived. I did my hair transplant coordinator's upper lip one time and her lines went away after 2 months. The reason is that she stopped unconsciously pursing her lips.
3. Botox if needed. See point #2.
4. I don't know about microcurrent treatments. That may help if it relaxes your muscles and your activity.
5. I would hate to say even glycolic treatments, facials etc. cannot get rid of these lines to the satisfaction of most women because of the way that they see themselves. (See point 1).

Most often times, you miss the big picture of what is causing aging and unattractiveness and are focused on things only you can see.
hope that helps (and does not sting too badly),
sml

Thank you - although the lines I am speaking of aren't really lines, they are more like folds - like when you push your chin back to your neck but I get them even when I dont push my chin back to my neck. So, not sure if you are referring to the same thing and not sure whether you can fill this with fat.
I am scheduling my fat grafting with your office next week. I am very excited - I had my first appointment with you in August- will I need another one before the actual surgery? How far out are you scheduling now?

Hi,
I am booking out toward mid January right now. However, you can check with my patient care coordinator to see if we can open something sooner if you absolutely must have it earlier. You can go ahead and just schedule a preop day where I would meet with you again briefly before my nurse does. During that time I would recommend for you to bring in a few of your old photos. That does not mean 20 or 30 photos. Just one in your twenties (maybe teens too), early 30s, late 30s, etc. for a total of 2 to 6 photos. We can use that as a point of discussion. 20% down will secure a date for you with the remaining balance due 2 weeks ahead of the date. Also, I don't know your age but I would recommend a preoperative clearance by your M.D. (which we can help clarify on the phone with a preprinted letter) as soon as you can. That way the case won't be delayed unnecessarily.
Look forward to take care of you,
SML