Alternatives to Buccal Fat Removal, or is This the Best Option?

You have many options. It is all about fat (or volume) in the right places. 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. Sometimes fillers alone can make the difference. So one option would be to trial fillers in the upper cheek/malar area and see if that gets you were you want.  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

Dear ChubbyCheeks,

 

Buccal fat pad removal is a delicate procedure best fitting candidates with chubby cheeks that will not be prone to atrophy with age progression. Suffering from a hollow face later on in life is not that pleasant. This procedure is best performed by surgeons of ample experience in that field.

 

If you are looking for permanent results in term of slimmer "heart shaped" face, I encourage you to seek a consultation with an extensively experienced surgeon who will provide you with the best advises so you will be making a well informed decision.

 

It looks like facial contouring with fillers and Botox could be an option for you. Only through physical examination that a surgeon is able to provide definitive solutions.

Thank you for sharing you photographs.

 

Best of luck to you.
Dr. Sajjadian