Help with Very Round Face & Chipmunk Cheeks? (photo)

Question

Hi Doctors, I've been extremely self-conscious all my life about my fat cheeks despite the rest of my body being thin (female, 5'1", 90 #, 27 years old) I'm not sure what else to do because exercises haven't done it and I'm pretty sure I grew out of "baby fat" a while back. I've heard buccal fat extraction is the best option, but the reviews have been mostly negative. My husband thinks I'm nuts but I am willing to do ANYTHING to finally feel good about my chubby face. Any advice? Thnx!

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Mcm84,

	 

	Sculpting your face and keeping it natural is a complex task especially when considering the buccal fat pad removal.

	
	It is true that such a procedure is not well received by some; however, with the right surgeon who has extensive experience in that field the candidate will enjoy commendable results.

	The key is that the buccal fat pad removal should be performed conservatively taking into consideration that with age the atrophy of the fat pad will take place.

	 

	According to your photographs, your prominent chin is a great facial feature pushing your facial shape classification more towards the oval than the round.

	I am sure that after a consultation with an experienced surgeon you will have the appropriate tools to come up with a well educated decision that will enhance your facial beauty.

	 

	Thank you for sharing your photographs.

	 

	Best of Luck to you.

	Dr. Sajjadian

Benjamin Caughlin, MD, FACS · Answer

You 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

Young patients int heir 20s with chubby cheeks ("baby face") are usually excellent candidates for buccal fat removal. The procedure, which I routinely do wide awake under local anesthesia, permanently removes the buccal fat pads to achieve a thinner more sculpted facial appearance. The video below helps to understand who could be a candidate for buccal fat removal. 
John Mesa, MDBuccal Fat Removal Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Omar Lazos, MD · Answer

When a patient has a full and round face and despite weight loss the fullness persist or if the patient is in his normal weight and the chipmunk faces has stayed all the time, a bichectomy or buccal fat pad removal is useful. It´s true that with aging the buccal fat pad tends to diminish in volume do to atrophy, but if the volume is excessive a bichectomy will not hollow the cheek overtime. Many patients are happy with the results, a proper selection is a very important manner. Usually the procedure takes less than 30 min and you can go homethe same day. You'll be able to go back to work on the 3rd day post-op but 1 week off would be more comfortable. Best regards

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Hi thanks for asking this question. Chubby cheeks is actually a common situation. Patients who have relatively chubby cheeks may not realize that buccal fat removal a surgical procedure can significantly slim the face. The procedure is done under local anesthetic and typically takes a few minutes a side. I generally find patients benefit from masseter muscle botox as well as cheek filler for best results. The botox slims the muscle overlying the jaw bone. The filler is placed high up on the cheek bones to create a heart shape face, which enhances the result of the buccal fat removal.

Richard Ellenbogen, MD (retired) · Answer

Although you would benefit from buccal lipectomy your real wideness is from your masseter muscles and can be reduced wit botox a vry eay procedure/

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