Interested in buccal fat removal but afraid of sagging cheeks (Photo)

The buccal fat pads are an often-overlooked portion of the facial aging process.  The buccal fat pads naturally sit in the upper portion of the cheek and are designed to help us suckle as an infant.  As we get older, the buccal fat pad descends into the jowl, giving the face a tired look.  I often see patients from outside facilities who have had a facelift and they present stating “their jowls are back.”  Typically, in these patients, the jawline still looks nice, but they have the “chipmunk cheeks” or what appears to be a “walnut” in their jaw, which is this buccal fat pad. 

This can be identified by pushing up on this small area just above the jawline and then releasing.  The skin will fall rapidly back into place, but you will typically see the fat pad descend back into the jowl slowly over 2- or 3-seconds as it refills this area.  This is indicative of a sliding buccal fat pad.

These are removed through a small incision inside the mouth.  Recovery is typically quick with minimal bruising.