Am I a candidate for buccal fat removal? (photo)

Question

Feel very bottom very. I’ve always had a round face. Am I a candidate for buccal fat removal?

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Patients with a very bottom-heavy face, which makes their face appear round, usually have enlarged buccal fat pads. These pockets of fat in the bottom anterior face are often the cause of the chubbiness and roundness. For most patients, these pads typically do not reduce in size with diet and exercise. Additionally, they tend to grow with age, making the face even more bottom-heavy.

Patients with enlarged buccal fat pads are usually candidates for buccal fat removal if they have high cheekbones. However, if a patient with a bottom-heavy, round face also has moderate smile lines and marionette lines (lines that form from the corners of the mouth) suggesting they do not have high cheekbones, they must enhance their cheekbones (usually with cheekbone fillers) before or at the same time as surgery to become candidates for buccal fat removal.

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

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on this photo it does not look that buccal fat removal would create any difference. However, contouring the jawline and jowls with fine cannula liposuction would make the desired difference. In-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon with a good reputation in facial rejuvenation is recommended.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hi there. You may be a candidate for removal. I like to tell patients that the goal is to create subtle slimming from the high cheek bones to the jawline area. The fat pad - if removed correctly - isn't enormous and shouldn't give you a sucked-in look. I would seek a consultation with a Facial Plastic Surgeon to learn more about this relatively straight-forward, in-office procedure.

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