Buccal fat removal for 22 year old female. Should I lose weight first?

Question

Hi I have gained 60 pounds over the last 4 years and i really want to make my face look less chubby I currently weigh 180 and I’m 5’2 so most of my fat shows on my face. I have been researching and still looking for doctors.Im no sure if I should lose the weight first or just do the buccal fat removal. Will my face sag? And will I look old?

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Buccal fat removal is the plastic surgery procedure that corrects the chubby cheeks. It helps patient candidates with round faces to achieve a more thin V shape facial look.
Body weight affects the results of the buccal fat removal. If a patient have significant weight gain (overweight, obese), this could mask the effects of buccal fat removal. This is because the excess of NON-buccal fat around the face will counteract the effects of buccal fat removal. In these cases, it would be prudent to undergo weight loss before  buccal fat removal.

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

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

A. John Vartanian, MD, MS · Answer

Based on the pics you are probably good candidate for buccal fat 
removal.  However the real test would be for a surgeon to examine you 
and feel the cheeks and your bone structure to figure out how much of 
the cheek fullness may be due to the deep buccal fat vs other factors.  
Being as close to your ideal or normal weight will help your surgeon in removing just right amount of buccal fat, and not too much or too little.  Having said that, buccal fat volume doesn't really change much with weight loss, so you could get it done before reaching your ultimate weight loss goals.  Buccal fat removal it can add subtle 
elegance and slimming effect to the face.  Best to you,  @drjohnvartanian

Sagar Patel, MD · Answer

For any surgery, face or body, we would always suggest to be at your ideal weight. That being said there is a desire and a reality. If you think you can get back down to the ideal weight than certainly wait. If not, it is a surgery I would generally not recommend as it isn't enough volume removal to make enough of a difference but if you did loose the weight you would see even more of a difference.

Buccal fat removal for 22 year old female. Should I lose weight first?

Answers (4)

Answer: Weight Loss

Answer: Weight Loss

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Buccal fat removal for 22 year old female. Should I lose weight first?

Answers (4)

Answer: Weight Loss

Answer: Weight Loss

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.