Would Buccal fat reduction benefit me? I'm in my early 20s, fit and work out regularly at the gym. (photos)

Male young patients who are fit ( normal weight for their height) and in their early 20s are usually excellent candidates for buccal fat removal. This plastic surgery procedure corrects permanently the fullness of the lower anterior cheeks (chubby cheeks) to achieve a more chiseled and more masculine facial look. The video below helps to understand who could be a candidate for buccal fat removal.

What is the cause of chubby cheeks, full round face, cheek fullness or chipmunk cheeks?  Cheek fullness or enlarged cheeks are commonly due to buccal fat volume excess. and does not respond to diet or exercise.   Who are ideal candidates for Buccal Fat pad Removal? Ideal candidates for buccal fat excision surgery are both men and women with excessive fullness in the lower cheek area, round face, chubby cheeks or chipmunk cheeks who would like to have a chiseled face. Am I a Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal? Buccal fat removal is an option for patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their chubby cheeks (excessive fullness in the lower cheek area) and would like to achieve a sleek chiseled face. A consultation with Dr. Basil Pakeman can be helpful to decide if buccal fat pad excision is right for you. At what age can a buccal fat excision be performed? Buccal fat removal are patients of all ages. Patients in 20’s to their 60’s can benefit from buccal fat excision. Buccal pad removal patients are frequently in their 20’s to their 40’s.

While it is difficult to make a recommendation from photos alone, it does appear you would be a very good candidate for buccal fat removal. This outpatient procedure can be performed under local anesthesia and recovery is usually just a few days. Incisions are placed inside the mouth where they will leave no visible scarring behind. You might also consider Botox injections to the masseter muscles, which would reduce the size of the muscle to narrow your jawline slightly. This procedure offers temporary results, so you would need to repeat your treatment every few months to maintain your positive look. Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon for your treatment to ensure your procedures are both safe and effective.

Great question!  Depending on your goals, a buccal lipectomy can help improve your facial shape by shrinking down the lower cheek region.  By doing this, the jawline and the cheeks become more defined and contoured.  Another treatment to think about is Botox to the posterior jawline as this will also help slim the face from a more squared to a more oval appearance on the frontal views.  However, it is always best to have an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon so that your goals are reviewed and the best treatment recommended.
Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

You would be a good candidate for a combined buccal lipectomy and perioral liposuction procedure. While this can be effective in the right patient it all depends on what type of facial slimming result you are expecting to achieve.

you could probably make your cheeks more hollow with buccal fat removal. But what might look good for a few years will very likely look worse with age, gaunt and sick looking are words that are used. I'd be careful. Sometimes getting what you want isn't a good thing.