Options for Getting Rid of "Baby Face"?

For patients with a baby face, especially patients over 30, it may be possible to reduce the buccal fat pads. This can establish a nice cheekbone-cheek contour. Of course, the overall facial symmetry should be evaluated. Chubby cheeks may arise from a deficient cheekbone area, so removal of the buccal fat pads might not be right for that patient.
The buccal fat pad can be easily accessed from inside the mouth.
For years, there has been resistance to removing the buccal fat pads, because of the fear of hollowness during old age. However, the buccal fat pads atrophy anyway over time. Also, you see photographs of many of the parents of patients requesting buccal fat pad removal, and the parents still have "chipmunk cheek" look, even in their 50's, 60's and 70's!
We have found removal or reduction of the buccal fat pad to be valuable in the right patient.

Patients who still have a "baby face" after buccal fat removal due to excess fat/tissue along the jawline could benefit from chin liposuction.Chin liposuction, when performed in an extended manner ( including the jaw line) will remove the double chin thus helping to achieve a more mature but youthful facial look in patient candidates. 

Without seeing any photos or having an in-person exam, this is a difficult question.  Buccal fat reduction to remove fullness in the cheeks could be indicated.  You might also be a candidate for liposuction under the jawline to create a more chiseled look, or a series of Kybella treatments might be another option to help dissolve any submental fat.  A chin implant might also be used to create a more angular and defined jawline.  Even filler, strategically placed, could help with the look you are going for.  See a facial plastic surgeon and get an individualized consultation to find out what options might be best.Be sure to see an expert.All the best,

Buccal fat pad reduction can help slim the cheeks, but as you have found it does not do much to change the jawline. There are several procedures available which can help provide a more sculpted jawline in a young person such as yourself. Excess fatty tissue underneath the chin and jawline can be removed with liposuction, or with a series of Kybella injections, which dissolves the fat in this area. Sometimes adding a chin implant or filler along the chin and jawline can help to improve the definition along the lower border of the face. It is difficult to say exactly what would be best in your particular case without any pictures, and really nothing is more valuable than an in-person evaluation. I recommend that you schedule a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon to determine which option will provide the best individualized result for you.
Best wishes,

I am glad you are happy with your buccal fat pad removal. It sounds like you were a good candidate. One option is liposculpting (liposuction of jaw and chin). This can help define your jaw line. Without photos it is hard to comment on fat grafting but this is also an option in young people. 
It may seem counter intuitive to add fat when you say your problem is fat cheeks. What we do is add fat around the cheeks to the side of the highest and most projected point of the cheek bone and taper it to the lower face. This helps to camouflage overly chubby cheeks.  This is especially helpful in thin women and in combination with buccal fat pad removal is a powerful maneuver. 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

Thanks for sharing.  Buccal fat pad reduction is a procedure that removes the deep lower cheek fat pad that gives one a chipmunk look or the baby fat face look. This fat pad can be removed under local anesthesia through incisions inside the mouth. Ultimately it will give you a more sculpted lower face.  The face will look less round and upper cheeks will appear for prominent.  I am glad you like the procedure. If  you think you do have extra skin there are new technologies like ulthera that uses ultrasound energy to tighten skin.

Hi Rfrazar,


Thank you for your question. Overall, the face is a delicate and a complex area of the body where the smallest facial procedures could reflect considerable facial changes. It is important to note that with age progression, buccal fat atrophy will take place at various intensities depending on multiple factors.

With that perspective, de-fatting your face is best performed by a well experienced surgeon who can preserve your natural looks and the “identity” of your face by removing just the appropriate amount of buccal fat.

Without your examination and your photographs, it is not possible to go over your case in more details and show the best of your facial features.

 

Best wishes.

Dr. Sajjadian

 

A clear majority of my patients would love to switch places with you.  If you look 30 years ahead, your "baby face" will be your most admired asset.  I agree with Dr. Wallach's answer.  Don't be too hasty in removing facial fat, because in the long term, it may cause you to age faster.

The Buccal Fat Pads are natural pockets of fat that are in your cheeks. The removal is permanent and the fat should not return if the entire fat pad was removed. 
The best candidates have overall slim faces but chubby cheeks. In your case, you may have needed other minor procedures to achieve the goals for your face such as facial liposuction, neck liposuction, adams apple reduction, chin implants, jawline augmentation.
Dr. Karan Chopra
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
Face * Body * Breast Expert

Buccal fat removal is commonly used to slim the face.  Please consult with a board certified specialist in the face who can assist you with achieving the results you seek.  3-dimensional computer imaging can also help you visualize what you may look like afterwards and serve as a useful communication tool with your surgeon.