My face looks fat when I smile, would buccal fat removal help? What could be done to improve my whole face shape?

Treatment of ‘chubby cheeks’ cannot be achieved alone with buccal fat pad removal; a fact that I encounter time and time again when seeing patients in consultation for lower facial sculpting. My approach is to use a combined protocol that redefines aesthetic contours of the face. This includes the following:

 

Buccal Fat Pad Removal
Non-surgical Muscle-Fascia Tightening
Venus Legacy or Venus Viva
Ultherapy
Submental Liposuction or Coolsculpting
 

The combined approach is ideal. Buccal fat pad removal is a exceptional procedure that can remove excess fat from the cheek pads. Using an intraoral approach, a small incision is carried through the mucosa to remove a small fat pad within the cheek. Closure of the incisions is minimal with an absorbable suture and patients will experience some swelling post-operatively. We use SwellX tablets post treatment. Once healed, the contour of the cheek is improved and we begin Non-invasive tissue tightening to further enhance results.

 

Best,

Dr. Karamanoukian

Realself100 Surgeon

Patients with fullness of the Lower anterior cheeks that look "fat" when smiling are usually candidates for buccal fat removal. The video below helps to understand who could be a candidate for buccal fat removal.

Buccal fat excision is an appropriate surgical procedure for patients that of overly full and wide cheek areas. In common terms, it is good for patients who have chipmunk cheeks. In reviewing your pictures, it is difficult to tell if you're a good candidate because your cheek area is slightly full but not overly full. You are a patient that would need an in person consultation for a complete evaluation and explanation of the positives and negatives of this procedure in your situation. I hope this helps.

Dear Rachelx7,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It's hard to say for sure whether buccal fat removal would be the solution for your desired look.  An in-person consultation and examination is recommended with 3-dimensional computer imaging which can help you visualize what you may look like afterwards and serve as an important communication tool with your surgeon.

Buccal fat removal decreases the volume of the lower cheek area. This procedure can be performed alone or in conjunction with other facial procedures. Seek an in person consultation with an experienced facial surgeon to discuss your options.