Would a mini face lift and buccal fat removal help me achieve a more contoured, pronounced and symmetrical look? (photos)

Question

I'm 29 & I've had chubby cheeks my whole life. In my early 20s, I put on weight then I lost about 50 lbs. After the weight loss, I'm left w/ chubby cheeks that are now uneven and lax skin on my cheeks. I've thought about buccal fat removal surgery for years but now w/ my loose skin and asymmetry, it doesn't seem like buccal fat removal alone will address all 3 issues. Would a mini facelift + buccal fat removal be appropriate to? Goal: contoured cheekbones, pronounced apples, tight skin, symmetry.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for submitting your question and photos. Buccal fat removal is an excellent option for reducing fullness and slimming the lower portion of your face, creating a more defined cheekbone and jawline contour. Since buccal fat tissue is not regrown, the results of this procedure are permanent. Combining this procedure with a mini facelift can enhance your results by tightening the skin and diminishing fine lines, producing a refreshed, long-lasting result. Many patients prefer to combine procedures to reduce recovery time and obtain more pronounced results. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon. They’ll be able to discuss your concerns with you and determine the best treatment options to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Timothy Osborn, MD · Answer

Hello! I do think you could benefit from buccal fat removal. This would reduce some of the fullness in your cheeks and improve the jowling near your jawline. I would also consider jawline contouring, to give you the stronger, more defined jawline you are looking for. You could potentially think about a neck thread lift, but I do not think you would need a full facelift at this time! There are also treatments like RF microneedling that are great for tightening and toning skin, and would be great after buccal fat and jawline contouring to give you an even better result!

Mark McRae, MD · Answer

Buccal fat pad removal is a procedure that produces subtle results but it does do a very nice job slimming the lower cheek region. In your case I suspect you have some masseter muscle hypertrophy contributing mass at the angle of your jaw. This is posterior to the buccal fat pad and would not change with buccal fat pad removal. This can be treated well with botox, but does require treatment a couple times a year. Consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is a good next step for a good physical examination. This will help you determine how much of an improvement you can expect based on your anatomy and taylor the procedure that will help you achieve your goal. I suspect that buccal fat pad removal and masseter botox will give you a subtle but notable improvement in your cheek contour.

Would a mini face lift and buccal fat removal help me achieve a more contoured, pronounced and symmetrical look? (photos)

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