How Can I Acheive More Defined Cheeks and Get Rid of Lower Cheek Fat? (photo)

Question

I'm almost 24 and I have such fat saggy lower cheeks around my mouth. When I'm not smiling it just looks like a permanent frown. I'm 5'3 and weigh about 116 lbs. Also I was wondering if facial exercises could help, I saw an ad for a facial flex but I don't know if it's legit. My fat saggy face just depresses me so much, please help!

Randy Wong, MD · Answer

Thanks for your photo. The loose skin around the corner of your mouth is what many older patients find disturbing. At your age, this early jowling suggests lack of support structures around the zygomaticus muscle as it inserts into the "modiolus" region. I suggest suspension of this area using a loop of nonabsorbable prolene suture to add strength to your cheek structure. You should expect a temporary enhancement of your natural dimple position for a few months. These procedures are reversible and done under light sedation in my office.

Benjamin Caughlin, MD, FACS · Answer

You are a great candidate for buccal fat surgery and have many options. It is all about fat (or volume) in the right places. In addition to facial cosmetic surgery I do feminization procedures in the transgender population and it applies to all sexes and orientations really. The key is Hot is HOT! Buccal fat removal and/or manipulation can be a great and transformational procedure in the right patient.  Oftentimes fat transfer or filler injection in conjunction with this procedure is able to give a more “ideal” heart shaped face. This can make a significant difference in patients as a combo. We are able to create shadows and sharpness where you want it. It may seem counterintuitive to add fat when you say your problem is chubby cheeks but what we do is add volume to the highest and most projected point of the cheek bone and taper it to the lower face. This helps to create a shadow just under the malar area.  This is especially helpful in thin patients and in combination with buccal fat pad removal is a powerful maneuver. Liposuction of the jawline and sculpting is also helpful in some patients. It really depends on your specific anatomy. All of this can be done in clinic with some calming medications and local anesthesia.
I recommend getting a consult with a surgeon who does this procedure frequently to get a full facial analysis to make sure your specific goals are addressed.
Hope this helps.
Best of luck.
DrC

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Cheeks can become more defined if they are enhanced with either soft tissue fillers or cheek implants. Soft tissue fillers give an instant result that could last between 1-2 years. The downtime is minimal.Cheek implants in the other hand give permanent results, but their require downtime of about 2-3 weeks (due to swelling)Lower cheek fat can be removed with buccal fat removal. THis allow the patients with good cheek bones to achieve a more chiseled V shape facial look. The results of the buccal fat removal depends on the cheek bones.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Dear summerxoxo,

	
		I think building up the cheekbones would lift the skin up so that the cheeks do not sag as much
	
		It is hard to tell without an exam, but there are definitely things that can be done
	
		You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, please see a plastic surgeon in your area to see what your options are


	Best regards,

	Nima Shemirani

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

What you are bothered by is not just caused by Buccal Fat. This is a collection of peri-oral fat which is treated with micro liposuction of the face. This can be combined with buccal fat removal to give a slimmed V shape. The buccal fat pad is deep and therefore you cannot liposuction it.

How Can I Acheive More Defined Cheeks and Get Rid of Lower Cheek Fat? (photo)

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