30 years old, at around 11% body fat. Am I a good candidate for buccal fat removal? (Photos)

Question

I'm 30 years old, at around 11% body fat. My face always looked a bit chubby and had that boyish look. My mother also has chubby cheeks at her 60s. How can I determine if the chubbyness comes from excess of fat instead of lack of bone structure?

Oliver Chang, MD · Answer

Based off your photos, buccal fat removal for you will help to achieve less chubbier cheeks - perhaps also fillers or fat grafting to your jawline to help accentuate the masculine look, along with a little chin fat grafting or fillers as well.

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

At 11% body fat, you’ve already achieved a level of leanness where residual facial roundness is unlikely to be from generalized fat. So let’s talk about what could be going on.
The Two Common Causes of Facial Fullness:Persistent facial fatSpecifically the buccal fat pad, submalar fat, and lower cheek compartmentsThese are often genetically programmed and resistant to weight lossLack of bony supportParticularly the cheekbones, jawline, and chinA narrow midface, weak jaw angle, or recessed chin can make the face appear soft or “boyish,” even in very lean individuals***Your Family History Is a Strong ClueYou mentioned your mother has retained full cheeks into her 60s &mdash; this may suggest a genetic tendency to retain facial fat, particularly in the buccal and submalar regions. These fat pads tend to be resistant to both age and caloric restriction.
 How We Diagnose This in ClinicTo determine whether the fullness is fat- or structure-based (or both), I typically:
Palpate the buccal fat pad and assess its prominenceEvaluate the malar projection (cheekbone support) and mandibular angleUse side profile photos or 3D imaging (if available) to assess overall facial harmonyAssess the chin-neck angle to rule out submental fat or skin redundancy
Treatment Options Vary Depending on the Diagnosis;
If the cause is fat-based fullness:Buccal fat removal can offer permanent midface slimmingEnergy-based devices (Morpheus8, FaceTite) can improve definition in mild cases
If the cause is structural:Chin or jawline fillers or implants can enhance angularityMalar augmentation (via filler or implant) can create lift and contourIn many patients, it’s actually a combination approach that yields the most natural and aesthetic results.

Jaeil Lee, MD · Answer

Based on the photos, your facial fullness does not appear excessive, and your underlying bone structure looks adequate.At your age and low body fat percentage, buccal fat removal may not be necessary and could increase the risk of a hollow or aged appearance over time.In many cases like this, observation or conservative management is often the better option rather than surgery.

Ho Joon Lee, MD · Answer

Hello!I hope that this message finds you well. With buccal fat, people are in a love-hate relationship with it. People choose to have buccal fat removal for several cosmetic and personal reasons, but it's not medically necessary for most. When you have buccal fat removal, you can slim the face, enhance the cheekbones & jawline definition - which is strongly influenced by trends. But in reality, buccal fat is quite important for your facial structure, especially when it provides natural volume and fullness, supports facial muscles and skin, and protects facial structures. When the aging process kicks in, the buccal fat will shift or shrink over time, so if you remove it through surgery, you will have overly sharp, sunken cheeks and then will make you look older than you are - especially as collagen and skin elasticity decline with age.

30 years old, at around 11% body fat. Am I a good candidate for buccal fat removal? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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