Hi Dr Lam,
3 weeks back I had surgery for acne scarring and the doctor used punch floats, fascia lata and fat transfer to my cheek area. Overall the results are pretty decent--in a variety of lighting the depressions are not salient anymore--and the healing is remarkably fast with these.
However, during the time my cheeks were swelled (or because of the fat) I was amazed how good they looked.
Now that the swelling has subsided (or maybe the fat has been reabsorbed) I am thinking that it might be a good idea to get another round of fat transfer.
I am curious how soon after fat transfer by another surgeon would you do a round of fat transfer?
The other option might also be a cheek implant...
Some observations about facial aesthetics --- :
What is actually very interesting is that during the time my cheeks were fuller and rounder (mostly in the 2'oclock position on the cheek, right below the cheek bone), I felt like a very different person---also my friend told me I looked much happier. That is facial aesthetics at work ! Honestly, I felt much better too. My quarter face profile also looked MUCH better because I have a bit of a recessive chin, but I think it became prominent because of lack of definition and fullness near the cheek bone. A lot of people have 'mounds' near the cheekbone, but I kinda don't..
Now that the fat has been reabsorbed (or swelling has subsided), the effect has pretty much gone. What is also interesting is that previously, I have been told that I should smile more ! Which is funny cause I felt that I always had kind of a smirk. But during the time when I had the swelling/fat, the smirk was distinctly visible when I looked in the mirror, and it made me feel very congruent with what I was feeling inside i.e. I wasn't getting drawn down by the feeling that my face was projecting. And I did not have to do any extra work to push my cheeks out to show a smile, just a mild flick would do the job---and that made me really amazed at the effect that this whole thing had.
I don't think a person can feel different inside if the face is representing another feeling. If the face is sad/gaunt even if it is due to ageing, it is bound to have a strong effect of that on his/her emotional state. For example there have been a few studies where botox to the brow actually eases depression symptoms. Just curious if you have had patients who get dramatic change in their emotional state in sort of an unexpected way.
-- V
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