23 year old, thin body with chubby cheeks. Do I have any surgical options? (Photo)

Question

Hello! I am a 23 year old female who has always had large chubby cheeks. I am VERY self-conscious of them and feel like my quality of life would increase if they were not there. I am 5'3, 120 lbs, so I don't feel like loosing weight would be a very reasonable approach. I recognize that facial fat is essential to aging gracefully and don't want to do anything I would regret later, but I'm wondering if I have any surgical options now?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest seeing a cosmetic dermatologist.  Most people pay lots of money as they age to get cheeks enhancement, and it is my suggest you not worry so much about this because in 10 years you will lose some of this and want more.  Liposuction and/or Kybella injections may be used, but I would avoid these.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Edward E. Dickerson, IV, MD · Answer

As you said, having fat in the face is essential to aging gracefully. As you get older you lose the fat, your body produces less and less collagen and the muscle structure of your face begins to change and eventually gravity takes hold. I know now you may feel a little self conscious about your face, but give it a few years you will be glad that you have a little extra fullness in the cheeks that others pay money to have!

Ben Talei, MD · Answer

Your cheeks are very nice and most people would be jealous of them.   I've had several other patients I've said the same thing to and we end up doing buccal fat excision in order to make the cheeks slightly more slender in the mid lateral cheek.  This is an easy procedure done from within the mouth with very little downtime.  On a patient with a more slender face I would be cautious as they may look too gaunt years down the line but most others don't have that problem

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, the attached photos are smiling which are not ideal for facial evaluation.  Non-smiling front and profile views would reveal the two most important components of cheek shape (cheek bone shape and the amount of overlying fatty tissue).  It appears, based upon your photos and history, that there is excess fatty tissue of the face but I can't tell if the cheeks are also flat.  Cheek implants would address flat cheek bones while micro-liposuction would reduce the excess facial fat.  At 23, there should not be any loose skin following fat reduction.

23 year old, thin body with chubby cheeks. Do I have any surgical options? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: 23 year old, thin body with chubby cheeks. Do I have any surgical options?

Answer: 23 year old, thin body with chubby cheeks. Do I have any surgical options?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Cheek Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

23 year old, thin body with chubby cheeks. Do I have any surgical options? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: 23 year old, thin body with chubby cheeks. Do I have any surgical options?

Answer: 23 year old, thin body with chubby cheeks. Do I have any surgical options?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Cheek Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.