Jowl Liposuction or Buccal Fat Removal to Reduce Cheek Fat?

From the picture it looks like buccal fat pad. This is a deeper fat that herniates to the jowl area. There is a simple test that you can do. Stand in front of a mirror. Using three fingers push the area of bulging in. Then let the pressure off. If it is buccal fat pad it will descend and recreate the bulging. if it is subcutaneous fat it will never disappear. One can't suction the buccal fat pad. It needs to be removed from inside your mouth. If it is the jowl fat it can be suctioned with a fine cannula and carefully. It may be hard for you to do the test yourself you may need an experienced plastic surgeon. Remember you are buying expertise, not an instrument.

Based on the photo and the information you provided, it seems like you would be a suitable candidate for a buccal fat removal procedure and benefit from it in the way you seek. A cotton in the mouth appearance can be improved by a buccal fat removal procedure, as it mainly targets the lower anterior cheeks and provides slimming there. It is best to consult a board certified facial plastic surgeon in person and discuss your goals and options after a physical examination.Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Jowl liposuction and buccal fat removal are two different procedures that addresses two different areas of the face.Jowl liposuction addresses the fatty accumulations of the lower face at the level of the jaw line. Thus jowl liposuction could make the  jaw line more defined but does NOT correct the fullness of the lower anterior cheeks (chubby cheeks).Buccal fat removal addresses them fullness of the lower anterior cheeks ( chubby cheeks). It does make the face less chubby and more chiseled. Buccal Fat removal does NOT address or correct the jowls at all. 

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.

If you are a tooth grinder, I would recommend botox to the masseters first to see if that will slim your lower face. If you are not, then a buccal fat pad removal would help.

In an in office assessment can help to determine buccal versus jowl liposuction.  Jowl liposuction on the face is reserved for specific cases where no other options exist.  Buccal fat pad patients in my practice need to meet certain criteria in order for me to proceed.  The key is to plan a short term benefit without long term consequences.

Hi Chipmunck cheeks,

 

Thank you for sharing your concern along with a photograph.

 

Jowl liposuction and Buccal fat pad removal are procedures of a delicate nature. So, it is highly recommended that you seek a consultation with an extensively experienced surgeon who can offer the best for you.

 

According to the photograph you have generously shared, it looks like you could use buccal fat pad removal to establish the Ogee curve through a conservative fat excision (removal).


Best Wishes.

Dr. Sajjadian

Dear Chipmunk
Buccal fat remove can be helpful to some individuals. However the trend has been to preserve fat and the deep fat of the face may be very important to the long term volume of the face. On the other hand facial Liposuction can be done judiciously to sculpt the jaw line as well as reduce the lower cheek volume.
Bottom line: There is no substitute for a personal assessement with a straight forward cosmetic surgeon. Be careful what you look for because someone may offer it to you.

It does not look like you need any lifting procedures. Most patients like you see a surgeon who tells them what they want to hear. Buccal fat pad removal will not give you what you want. Also, liposuction(of whatever type) may give you irregularity and depressions. See an experienced facial surgeon who will give you an honest answer after examining your face.