I am 24 years old, 5’4” and weigh 100 lbs. Would buccal fat removal help my face look less wide and round? (Photo)

Question

I am often mistaken for a minor because of my round cheeks. People have teased me my whole life. I worry that my face is so round buccal fat removal wouldn’t help. I am also terrified about nerve damage- what are the risks? My round face literally caused me to develop very severe anorexia, but the fat in my cheeks never left. I am recovered now but my cheeks alone make me feel like relapsing every day. Are the risks worth it? Would it help?

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Buccal fat excision is an appropriate surgical procedure for patients that of overly full and wide cheek areas. In common terms, it is good for patients who have chipmunk cheeks. In reviewing your pictures, is difficult to tell if you're a good candidate because your cheek area is slightly full but not overly full. You are a patient that would need an in person consultation for a complete evaluation and explanation of the positives and negatives of these procedures in your situation.
I hope this helps.

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Round cheeks or chubby cheeks are usually caused by enlarged buccal fat pads. Buccal fat pads usually run in the families, and very commonly are resistant to decrease in size with diet and exercise. Also it is very common to see patients with chubby cheeks with normal weight. Buccal fat removal is the plastic surgery procedure that removes the buccal fat pads, thus making the face less chubby and more chiseled.Like any other cosmetic plastic surgeries,  buccal fat removal involves some risks. Board certified Plastc surgeons specialized in buccal fat removal tend to have less rate of complications post buccal fat removal that other surgeons that do this type of surgery sporadically.The video bellow helps to understand who could be a candidate for buccal fat removal.John Mesa, MDBuccal Fat Removal SpecialistNew York City and New Jersey

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

Dear tgott,Thank you for your question! I am glad to hear that you have recovered from your eating disorder and I’m sorry that you had to go through that issue. Looking at your photos, the first thing that I think should be said is that your cheeks do not look that wide. There is certainly some improvement that could be made, but your case is a relatively minor one. In addition, I suspect the most of your facial width is due simply to your underlying skeletal structure. It has nothing to do with weight.To obtain a more slender lower face, I would recommend buccal fat removal, cheek liposuction, and botulinum injection to the masseter muscles. This approach would be quite effective and I think you’ll be very pleased with it.  Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. Good luck and have a great day!

I am 24 years old, 5’4” and weigh 100 lbs. Would buccal fat removal help my face look less wide and round? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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I am 24 years old, 5’4” and weigh 100 lbs. Would buccal fat removal help my face look less wide and round? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.