Facelift disproportionately fat face?

I have what I'd consider a very disproportionately fat face. I'm only 33 and thin yet the corners of my mouth are always turned down along with "marionette" lines.

And my lower face is heavy. I have the puffy swollen cheek look of someone who just had dental surgery. When I pull the lower cheek skin back toward my ear it looks so much better.

I know it's impossible to know for certain without a picture, but am I describing something that requires a Facelift to fix?

Sort: Date | Helpful
14 answers to “Facelift disproportionately fat face?”

A: Buccal fat pad removal may be a better option

William Portuese, MD

A facelift is not going to fix disproportionate fat in the face. You may consider buccal fat pad removal (cheek reduction) to achieve the look you want.  Make sure that your height/weight proportion is adequate and you are not overweight before embarking on any of these procedures.

A: Possibly

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Descent of the cheek tissues occurs with aging but aging is different for everyone.  Depending on your genes your tissues may not have the resilience to the effects of aging and gravity as others may have.  What you are describing is the normal aging process just in a younger patient.  Although... more

A: Smartlipo and Liposcupture are potential solutions without facelift

Richard Gentile, MD

In younger patinets with excess fat in their faces SmartLipo or Laser Lipolysis with liposculpture is an option and in fact we performed this yesterday on a 21 year old with a hereditarily large face with double chin.  It can effect significant improvement and in some patients buccal fat is removed to... more

A: Chubby cheeks

Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Fullness in your lower cheeks is a very common trait that is quite difficult to correct completely, however improvement can be made surgically. Without seeing your photos, I'll answer the question in general terms. You are very young to have a facelift, but assuming this is what you're interested in exploring... more

A: Face lift in a disproportionate face

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Your face is composed of skin, fat, muscle and bone. Disproportion in any of these may result in a face that may lack harmony. You may benefit from enhancing the jawline with chin implants and or liposuction in addition to the facelift. 

A: You may just need liposuction of your lower face and neck.

George J. Beraka, MD

 Hi! It's hard to be sure without examining you, of course, but you may need liposuction of your lower face.  We have used this procedure in selected patients in their 30's and 40's in our practice in Manhattan, with quite impressive results. After liposuction, young skin contracts.  You almost... more

A: Gravity and fat in the lower face

Randy Wong, MD

Jowls are those pesky fat pads that migrate from the cheeks into the jawline. They are being pulled by gravity across the jawline and create the marionette lines trailing from the corners of the mouth that enhance the perception of "frowning". The maneuver to make this look better by pulling on the... more

A: Options

Robert W. Kessler, MD

The beauty of aesthetic surgery today is our ability to address concerns with a tremendous number of options which were not available just a few years ago. Our understanding of facial aging and how to approach it has also become more refined. I like the others, who have answered your question, can't give you... more

A: Anatomical analysis

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

All people are made of the same anatomical ingredients (bone, cartilage, muscle fat, skin, etc.). Yet we all look different. You need a comprehensive analysis of your anatomy, as does everyone who is looking for cosmetic changes, to determine exactly why you look the way you look. There is a  host of... more

A: See a plastic surgeon who is a facelift specialist.

Toby G. Mayer, MD

 It is not possible to say for sure without examining  your face. Sometimes you can get away with liposuction only. But it sounds like you need both a liposuction and a minilift to tighten the sagging skin.

Post your question

Facelift: 74 reviews

81% said it was worth it

Facelift before & after photos

Post your question
IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.