Does this look like excess buccal fat? (photo)

Question

I’ve always hated the fullness in my lower cheeks. I’ve done cheek injections but wold prefer a more permanent solution. 1- is the circled area buccal fat? 2- will my face droop if I remove it? 3- how does this play into lack of fat and aging? I’m 38 now and I feel like most women in my family have heaviness and sagging on their bottom face. Any other thoughts on the process? (Liposuction isn’t an option as I’m not a fan of the procedure)

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Female patients with excess of heaviness and sagging in the bottom of the face does have enlarged buccal fat pads, but also have excess of skin. Buccal fat removal corrects the fullness of lower anterior cheeks (area near the corners of the mouth). However it does not address the sogginess of the skin that happen below the corners of the mouth and jaw line (aka jowls). In these cases, additional skin tightening and fat remodeling procedures like FaceTite might be necessary. The video below helps to understand who could be a candidate for buccal fat removal.

Ali Gurlek, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and Pictures
The buccal fat pad is a rounded mass of fat in the middle of your cheek. It’s located between facial muscles, in the hollow area beneath your cheekbone. The size of your buccal fat pads affects your face shape.
Everyone has buccal fat pads. However, the size of buccal fat pads can vary greatly.
If you have larger buccal fat pads, you might feel like your face is too round or full.
You can be a candidate for a Buccal Pad removal surgery.
Best of Luck

Michel Siegel, MD · Answer

From your picture it appears like you are starting to develop jowls. Buccal fat pad would be higher up. You could try a non invasive technology like Ultherapy to tighten and lift.

Does this look like excess buccal fat? (photo)

Answers (3)

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