19 Year Old, Chubby Cheeks? (photo)

Question

To be honest, I've been struggling with my self image for years because I was born with a round face. I want to make my face more long and slimmer, like the shape of Emma Watson. I've always thought it was because of my body fat percentage, but as I got slimmer the fat on my face didn't change. Like I'm literally underweight, but my face makes me look fatter then I really am. I heard of buccal fat removal, and I've seen some docters suggested a chin implant. Please help. Thanks.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Although a physical exam is helpful to confirm, a buccal fat pad removal procedure would give you improvement in the manner you seek. Although it is difficult to determine how beneficial a chin implant would be from the pictures due to absence of a profile view, I think the implant would probably improve facial dimensions and proportions as well. Good luck.

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Young patients with wound and a bit wide face could achieve a thinner face with plastic surgery. Some of the procedures that help achieve that target the fullness of the lower cheeks.The fullness of the lower cheeks is caused by different structures: The anterior half of the lower cheek fullness is caused by enlarged buccal fat pads. The fullness  of the posterior half of the lower face is caused my enlarged masetter muscles. Therefore, in order to decrease the volume of these areas ( which translates on a thinner face) requires different plastic surgery procedures.Buccal fat removal corrects permanently the fullness of the lower anterior cheeks. Botox treatment to the masseter reduces the fullness of the lower posterior cheeks. The video below helps to understand who could be a candidate for buccal fat removal. 
John Mesa, MDBuccal Fat Removal Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you do seem like you can benefit from a buccal fat removal procedure. It can help reduce the chubbiness in the lower anterior cheeks which you seem to have and complain about. Further enhancement can be made on other features of the face for other desired effects as well. It is best to consult a board certified facial plastic surgeon in person and discuss your options after a physical examination.Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Thomas Buonassisi, MD · Answer

Buccal fat removal can draw the cheeks in slightly to achieve a more narrow facial shape. The fat is removed from inside the mouth and is a fairly straight forward procedure with little down time. In your case however you really have wonderfull facial features that I personally wouldn't see the need to change.

19 Year Old, Chubby Cheeks? (photo)

Answers (4)