5 Procedures I Would Not Recommend as a Double-Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

There are hundreds of plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures, and at PURE, we get requests for the most popular procedures and others that could be considered outside of the norm. What’s considered a great procedure by one surgeon may be something another surgeon would not recommend because it’s high-risk or doesn’t yield the desired results.  

Below are the five (5) procedures I would not recommend, and therefore do not perform as a double-board-certified plastic surgeon.   

1. Buccal Fat Removal

Buccal fat removal is also called a cheek reduction. The buccal fat pad is located in the face or cheeks, specifically the area between the jaw and cheekbones. It creates and defines the shape of the face and is often most prominent when smiling. Some patients seek buccal fat removal because they feel their face appears chubby, even after weight loss. This is not a procedure I recommend because the fat pad helps keep the skin on the face tight and youthful whereas removing it can cause the face to age faster.  

2. Fat Transfer to the Breast

Breast fat transfer occurs when fat is harvested from one area of the body and injected into the breasts. Some request this procedure as an alternative to a breast augmentation (breast implants). This seems like a good idea; however only limited amounts of fat can be placed in the breast because they have relatively lower blood supply. This increases the chances of fat necrosis. Also, a fat transfer cannot alter the shape of the breast, this can only be done with an implant.    

3. Dimpleplasty

I’d never met a dimple I didn’t like until I saw a dimpleplasty. Surgically creating dimples in the face became popular a few years ago and while there are always exceptions to the rule, I don’t recommend this surgery because it is very difficult to create a natural-looking dimple. Often the dimples created are not in the correct area of the cheek to compliment the natural face shape. It is also common to create asymmetrical dimples that can leave the face to look out of sync.  

4. Liposuction to the banana roll 

The banana roll is the area between the butt and thigh area. This area of fat is there to support the butt and hold it in place. We have had patients ask to have liposuction done to the area to create more definition. I do not recommend harvesting fat from this area because it can cause sagging to the butt as it loses its support.   

5. Butt implants  

Butt implants were the hype in the early 2000’s and although they are not as popular as they once were, we still get requests for the procedure – we politely decline. Butt implants have a relatively high complication rate because of the incision location.  There is a significant chance of infection or wound breakdown.  The implants themselves can lose their position and flip around in the buttocks. They are difficult to keep in place and they often don’t look or feel natural.  

While these are the five (5) procedures I do not perform, there are alternatives that can yield beautiful lasting results. Please contact us at (305) 230-4326 for further information and to discuss your body goals.