Am I a Good Candidate for a Buccal Fat Removal Considering my Age?

Question

I'm seriously considering me a buccal fat reduction, I have a very round face and big cheeks, but I do not want that in a while my face may look old and fallen... I'm 19 years/female, what should I do??

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Having a full face and round cheeks is a sign of youth. Simply do a bit of research to see what concerns women in their 30's and 40's are looking to correct...Volume Loss is at the top of the list. You will find that over the next 5-15 years your cheeks and lower face will thin and you will have the desired (more chiseled) look you are wanting. If you choose buccal fat removal in your early 20's, you may be happy with the result for the next few years- BUT you will be faced with a more aged and thin look in your face in your early to mid thirties. I have a patient in my practice that is facing this exact issue. At 35 she is attractive, youthful and vibrant...but her face looks a bit tired and "deflated". She had her buccal fat removed by another surgeon when she was 22 and now, at 35, she is seeking to volumize her face with fillers such as sculptra and radiesse which will cost her approximately $3,000-$5,000 every 5 years. Although this may not be the answer that you are looking for- you may find that a visit to a professional make up artist to learn the trick to contouring facial features with blush and bronzers will get you through the next few years. Best of luck to you, Dr. Clevens

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Isabel C.

	 

	Buccal (Bichat's) fat pad removal is a delicate procedure to establish the Ogee curve, hence the ideal midface contour.

	 

	The best fitting candidates for this procedure are the ones with chubby cheeks that will not be prone to atrophy with age progression. Suffering from a hollow face later on in life is not pleasant.

	 

	I encourage you to seek consultation with a surgeon of extensive experience in this field who will guide you and discuss with you possible alternative procedures that may fit your facial features and age better hence exposing the beauty of your face according to what you desire.

	 

	Thank you for sharing your photograph.

	 

	Best of wishes to you.

	Dr. Sajjadian

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

You are very suitable. Ideally, recommended age is 18-20 years (after facial development is complete)
However, Ideal candidate age for Buccal fat removal range is 20-40 years.
After 40-50 years, natural fat loss could cause a gaunt appearance.

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Patients with fullness of the lower anterior cheeks, chubby cheeks, that look bigger specially when smiling are usually excellent candidates for buccal fat removal. The vide below helps to understand who could be a candidate for buccal fat removal.
Buccal fat removal wont make the face to look old or fallen IF and ONLY IF the patients have good high cheek bones. The foundation of a youthful not saggy face is the cheek bones. Therefore, any patient interested to undergo buccal fat removal that have WEAK cheek bones, MUST enhance then before or at the time of the surgery to prevent an aged look.

Omar Lazos, MD · Answer

Yes you are an ideal candidate. When a patient has a full and round face and despite weight loss the fullness persist or if the patient is in his normal weight and the chipmunk faces has stayed all the time, a bichectomy or buccal fat pad removal is useful. Its true that with aging the buccal fat pad tends to diminish in volume do to atrophy, but if the volume is excessive a bichectomy will not hollow the cheek overtime. Many patients are happy with the results, a proper selection is a very important manner. Usuallythe procedure takes less than 30 min and you can go homethe same day. You'll be able to go back to work on the 3rd day post-op but 1 week off would be more comfortable. Best regards

Raymond E. Lee, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. I find buccal fat pad reduction to be a great procedure in the properly selected patient. Fullness in the lower cheeks or "chipmunk cheeks" can be treated this way. Liposuction or skin tightening technologies will not be the right choice when buccal fullness is apparent. The buccal fat pad sits deeper in the lower cheek area under muscle. This is different from skin fat that can be liposuctioned. Proper diagnosis is important to understand how to treat. Also, this fat pad may get smaller when we are elderly possibly giving a hollow look in this area.  Performed properly in the right patient buccal fat reduction is easily performed and gives a slimmer lower face that is difficult to achiever otherwise. Careful selection and counseling are key. Results evolve nicely over a period of weeks to months. You are on the young side and your fat may recede in your later twenties.  Please talk to an board certified surgeon experienced in buccal fat reduction to see if you are a candidate.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

It's hard to tell from your picture because you are smiling. Although I am a fan of conservative buccal fat pad removal, you are too young and beautiful to be messing with your face at this time. XO

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

Hi.  Honestly, I'm not a fan of the buccal fat pad removal procedure.  I think the results are under-whelming.Besides, the roundness of your face will tend to go away on its on, with the passage of time.  I would leave it alone.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Buccal fat pad removal is best performed in a female patient who is at least in their early 20's.  Many patients will have fuller faces in their younger years and note that their faces will lose volume as they age.

Patients must be selected properly for buccal fat pad removal, as chosing an inappropriate candidate can lead to a premature gaunt look in the face.

Critera to see if candidate for buccal fat pad removal:

1.  Family history of "full" faces-  Families with full faces who age with full faces are likely to benefit from buccal fat removal.  Families whose fuller faces eventually turn gaunt should avoid this procedure
	2.  Buccal fat excess-  There are multiple fat pads in the face.  The key is to determine if buccal fat pad removal is beneficial

Adam Rubinstein, MD · Answer

Buccal fat pad removal is done to create a slightly thinner and more chiseled appearance of the cheeks. In my practice I reserve this procedure for very full cheeked patients. In your photo you do seem to be a reasonable candidate for buccal fat pad reduction. Of course, this is difficult to say for sure with only one photo and no examination. As for the looking to thin at an older age, I find that if the procedure is done on very full cheeked patients the chances of looking too thin are quite low. This procedure only achieves a subtle change. However, every patient is different and you should consider that risk.

	I hope this info helps!