How to remove cheeks and nasolabial folds? (photos)

In my practice, it is very common to see patients who are fitness models or bodybuilders with very low body fat due to their lifestyle, yet they still have chubby cheeks. This is usually because they have genetically large buccal fat pads. Regardless of their body fat percentage, those with large buccal fat pads will always have chubby cheeks. If they increase their body fat percentage slightly, the chubby cheeks become even more pronounced. It is also common to see patients with mild nasolabial folds. In young patients, this is usually due to either a lack of cheekbone projection or decreased projection at the base of the nose bone.

To correct chubby cheeks, buccal fat removal is typically the procedure of choice. Depending on the prominence of the cheekbones and the patient’s goals, a percentage of the buccal fat pad is removed. This procedure permanently removes the chubby cheeks. To address nasolabial folds, the first step is to enhance the cheekbones with fillers if they are not prominent. The second option is to inject fillers at the base of the nasolabial fold to correct its root on the nose. Combining buccal fat removal, cheekbone fillers, and mild nasolabial fold fillers usually results in a very chiseled look for both male and female patients with very low body fat.

I hope this helps!

Sincerely,

John Mesa, MD
Buccal Fat Removal Specialist Plastic Surgeon
New York - New Jersey - Miami