Joel Michel, MD

I travelled to guadalajara from dallas about a year ago and got the buccal fat removal procedure done by Dr. Michel, and it was a fantastic experience. I was initially nervous, but Dr. Michel did a great job, and I went from having naturally chubby cheeks, to a more chiselled and defined face. The procedure was painless and to this day one of the best decisions I've made. The pricing also was a steal compared to the prices I was quoted in america.

I'm really happy that I flew to Guadalajara and saw Dr. Joel Michael. He was very kind and reassured me that this procedure he has done in office, many times before. The procedure itself only took approximately 45-1hr. Swelling only last 3-4 days and left back to my hotel same day with a prescription for pain meds and antibiotics to prevent infection. It's been over a year now since my procedure and I'm very happy with the results! The procedure only cost me $300 in Guadalajara and here in Cali, doctors from Newport Beach to Beverly Hills charge $4500 for the same procedure but under general anesthesia (which I feel is so unnecessary!!) I wanted to go to Guadalajara and see Dr. Joel Michael bc it truly was the less invasive procedure you could imagine. It felt like going to see your dentist. Pros outweighed any cons in this instance. Here is a video of me getting buccal fat removal and before and after of me. Hope this info helps someone else interested in buccal fat removal.

Updated on 14 Apr 2020:
My cheeks have definitely decreased in size after the surgery. I’m glad I did it. The Dr. Joel Michel was very professional and was very welcoming knowing I was a visitor to Guadalajara for the first time. I suggest you bring a friend with you like I did that speaks Spanish. We stayed a total of 4 nights but you could easily get away with flying back home the same day as the procedure. My cheeks were swollen for only 1-2 days. Minimal pain and the doctor prescribes some pain meds and antibiotics. It was well worth the trip! I recommend this physician especially if you’re looking for an alternative to $4000-5000 done here in the US.

Updated on 20 Oct 2020:
My cheeks have decreased in size. I no longer have chipmunk cheeks and it was definitely worth the travel and money to get this done by Dr. Joel Michel, MD. My cheeks had always been an issue for me. Everything I smiled for the camera, my cheeks were disproportionately larger than the rest of my face/body. I have had 2-3 consults here in Los Angeles, CA for buccal fat removal and it cost somewhere between 3000-4500. I went to Guadalajara and it only cost me $350. I don't speak Spanish so I purchased a plane ticket for my friend and I to go together. She's been to Guadalajara several times and was able to show me around the city. Even after my in-office procedure, I was able to still tour the city the same day. I highly suggest you do your research! And hope my story helps you decide whether Dr. Joel Michel is the right physician for you. Thank you!

I highly recommend him!!! The procedure was fast and it did not hurt much. Overall it was 30 minutes for the procedure and 30 minutes of talking. The doctor made you feel comfortable and was very knowledgeable.

Me opere en Guadalajara Jalisco con el Doctor Joel Michel Dueñas, excelente trabajo, hoy es el 4 día de mi cirugía y me siento muy bien, tengo muy pocos hematomas, algo inflamadas aun.. estoy muy contenta.

Updated on 14 Oct 2018:

Hello Everyone,
So I wanted to take the time to share with you my buccal fat removal revision experience. My whole life I’ve had very chubby cheeks that I’ve disliked, due to the fact that they made me look like I weighed more than what I actually did. So for several years I began researching buccal fat removal. After reading all of the positive and negative reviews, I ultimately decided to go through with the procedure. I ended up booking the surgery in the US since I’ve always been afraid of going to other countries to get any work done. It ended up costing me a few thousand dollars. During this initial procedure, I expressed to the doctor that I wanted all of it removed since my cheeks were very large. Despite my requests, the doctor decided that it would be best to go with a very conservative approach. After the first 3 months passed, I was very upset to see that I looked exactly the same as I did before the procedure. After contacting the doctors office about a possible revision, their reluctant response led me to RealSelf to search for another doctor. After going through many patients reviews, I stumbled across Dr. Michel and decided to reach out to him. He advised me to wait at least 10 months to get a revision, due to the scarring and possible swelling that could still be present. After waiting the 10 months and overcoming my fear of going to Mexico to get surgery, I was able to book my surgery. The procedure lasted around an hour due to my left cheek being very stubborn. He was very gentle, and I appreciated the fact that he checked each cheek several times to ensure he got everything. Afterwards, there was definitely a lot of swelling (due to it being a revision), but pain wise, it was so tolerable I didn’t even need my pain meds. It’s been a few weeks now, and I definitely see a change (despite the fact that I’ve put on some weight). It does take around 3 months (could take longer due to it being a revision) to see final results. I’m glad I chose Dr. Michel for this procedure. And if there is one thing I would change about this whole experience is not having gone to him since the very beginning. He’s amazing!
P.S. I also got chin and lip filler done, very happy with results. I’ll continue updating this post as time passes and I’m able to lose some weight.

This doctor is amazing! He is kind and thorough and his technique to this procedure in one that yields the greatest result with minimal invasion. No stitches, a tiny incision and he checked 3 times per cheek to make sure he got it all. I had been trying to get a hold of his office for a couple weeks but his receptionists don’t speak English so they kept hanging up on me! So I contacted one of his past patients and they gave me his personal email and within a day he replied! That was this past Wednesday that he replied, and the next day I booked a flight and a day later I was in Guadalajara! I got back today and although I was very nervous going to an unknown city by myself it was a great experience. I left Friday and came back Sunday. I booked at the Hyatt which is in an affluent area above a large shopping area with PF Chang’s and Coach and many American stores below. I booked a room with club level so I didn’t have to worry about finding food and could just go in and out and eat as I pleased. He had a recommended driver that I contacted who picked me up from the airport (late at night so I was initially worried) and dropped me off at the hotel. He was even in contact with the driver during my near midnight drive to the hotel to make sure I was safe and arrived. And then the remainder of transportation I used Uber in the daytime. Don’t let it worry you that you cannot contact him through real self, he said he’s tried to contact real self to pay to advertise, but he never heard back from them. So hopefully if they are reading this they can contact him bc he is a great doctor and it would be helpful if he was easily reached. Immediately after the procedure I could see some improvement and now I’m a little swollen but not too much that any of my family members noticed when I got home. (No one knew I went). So that tells you the swelling isn’t that bad. Highly recommend this procedure and this surgeon!!

Updated on 3 Nov 2018:
So, everything I wrote above was true. However, my one tiny worry that was in the back of my head going in ended up happening. 2 things actually - we all have naturally asymmetric faces although usually not noticeable unless you get one of those facial symmetry apps that can split your face in half and reflect it, it becomes noticeable. I was initially worried that taking all the fat out in both sides would make that subtle asymmetry more noticeable and it did. In addition, I was also a little worried that bc I am 37 and getting a little older that it may have the possibility of aging my face and cause some sagging - which it also did. At the time I just wanted these bottom heavy cheeks gone that I’ve had forever and I was willing to take the risk of some sagging, but the risk proved true.
So for anyone else 2 things- I would map out your face prior first and figure out where your asymmetries are and counter balance those with the removal. Had I done this, I would of had him take out less in one side and more in the other, rather than taking it all out. I would also consider if you have any beginning signs of any aging at all and if so I wouldn’t do it and look into some sort of others minimally invasive fat shrinking and lifting procedure.
I’m now looking into facelifting options and fat grafting for the side that too much was taken out. I still think it can be good, I just wouldn’t go in as blindly as I did just letting him have at removing it willy nilly.

Very knowledgeable doctor, down to earth and was thorough with the procedure. He used local anesthesia and I'm 2 months post-op. Loving my results! The visit was quick, I was in and out within 2 hours

Good afternoon Real Selfer's!
Yes, i'm back and this time it's for a very simple in and out procedure in Guadalajara, Mexico! I've been watching this Doctor on this platform for at least a year and now i'm flying out in less than 48 hours to see him. I'm a bit nervous due to all of the negative news coverage surrounding the state of Jalisco; however we have awful crimes here in the USA too. Needless to say i'm still going! I will be leaving BWI early Thursday morning and returning on Friday! I'm only staying in Mexico for 1 day just to see this Doctor! Pray for me!

Updated on 27 Apr 2018:
Ola!
Well I’m back from Guadalajara after a 1 day medical staycation! Dr. Micheal is a perfectionist when it comes to this procedure & I’m glad I found him on real self! At first, I struggled with the possibility of taking this trip due to all the negative news stories being told! I’m glad I didn’t let the “Fake News” being pushed down our throats on the internet keep me home! I arrived in Mexico around 1 pm yesterday and I immediately ordered an Uber. Unless you are fluent in Spanish, don’t do that! I spent over an hour trying to locate him because he couldn’t pull up in front of the airport due to regulations! Luckily, I went back in and paid 350 pesos for a cab & GOD blessed me with one who spoke English fluently! After me talking & vibing with him, I gave him $100 to drive me around for the remainder of the day! He took me to lunch, my doctors appointment, (& waited on me) the pharmacy and translated my prescriptions, & back to the airport on time! We spent about 3 & half hours together. This trip is totally do able if you don’t want to stay the night! Just plan it out as much as possible! When I arrived to the clinic, the doctor had just opened back up from lunch. We talked about the procedure & then he went to work! My face is still swollen but I should see the final results in 4 months.

Updated on 28 Apr 2018:


Updated on 3 May 2018:
Slight difference! I can start working out again now! Hopefully a noticeable difference in 30 days!

Updated on 11 May 2018:
I’m noticing the changes slightly; however Dr. Michel did give me at least 4 years of time back on my face! I love it!

Updated on 11 May 2018:
Dr. Michel gave me at least 4 years of youth to my face! I love it!

Updated on 6 Jul 2018:
Hey everyone! Here are pictures with and without makeup! I see a difference and now it's up to me to lose weight to see more of a difference!

Updated on 18 Jun 2019:
Hey Real Selfer’s!
I know it’s been a minute.. I’m just loving and living life right now.. About three weeks ago, I received an email about an opportunity to become an insider... I jumped on the opportunity & today I found out I was chosen! So ecstatic.. You will be hearing more from me in the near future ... Stay tuned!

I found dr Michel through the reviews from this site and I am so happy that I trusted them. Dr. Michel has given me back the face that I had in my twenties, and my dimple on the left cheek has returned. I had a buccal fat removal procedure with local anesthetic, it was super quick, and the doctor was extremely thorough with the preprocedure Education and consultation. He made sure. Felt comfortable and understood what the procedure could and could not do for my face. My results are far better than expected and I am literally 7 days out and have minimal swelling and my cheekbones are more visible. Once I hit 30 they kind of faded not sure if it was the buccal fat getting bigger or what but I look atleast 5 years younger. I am so so happy. I did the procedure on the same day that I arrived to Guadalajara and I left a few hours after! I only recommend thiS if you have no time in your schedule to plan to stay a day or two. I did fine, there is very little swelling right after, mine maxed out at day two and after I started deflating and my face just got Slimmer and slimmer each day. I am thrilled if you have any doubts or questions Message me and illsend you more info and pics.

Hey I’m just leaving Guadalajara and will update more soon . He had awesome bed side manners and very knowledgeable! I’m glad so far that I took this step, I was out of his office within an hour. I have a few concerns which I will talk about later..