Jowl Liposuction or Buccal Fat Removal to Reduce Cheek Fat?

You ask a very good question. What is the ideal method for contouring the cheek and face? The answer is… It depends. In some cases buccal fat reduction, in others liposuction of the jowls, neck, etc..  There is no one answer for each patient. There are also many other treatments that may be ideal, including the use of Botox, fillers, etc. Looking at your photos, I feel that you may be a candidate for both liposuction and buccal fat reduction. This is because there are fat in different areas and compartments of the face that may respond differently to removal. The key is to find  the right surgeon for this procedure.  It is critical that you seek the advice of a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience in buccal fat reduction and facial contouring.
 I wish you the best,
 Dr. Gabbay.

You may be a candidate for buccal fat pad removal. Often times fat transfer or filler in conjunction with this procedure is able to give a more “ideal” chiseled face. This can make a big difference in patients as a combo. 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. In combination with buccal fat pad removal is a powerful maneuver. If you add lipo for jaw sculpting you will see even more of a difference. 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 your question. I find buccal fat pad reduction to be a great procedure in the properly selected patient. Fullness in the lower cheeks or "chipmunk cheeks" can be treated this way. Liposuction or skin tightening technologies will not be the right choice when buccal fullness is apparent. The buccal fat pad sits deeper in the cheek under muscle. This is different from skin fat that can be liposuctioned. Proper diagnosis is important. Also, this fat pad may get smaller when we are elderly giving a hollow look in this area This procedure is also not commonly performed so many surgeons may feel uncomfortable with it. I have many happy patients with this procedure. Careful selection and counseling are key. Results evolve nicely over a period of weeks to months.  You may be a candidate.  Please talk to an board certified surgeon experienced in buccal fat reduction to see if you are a candidate.