Moon face and chubby cheeks. What can I do?

Question

I've developed "moon face" over the past seven years, and I'm not sure why. I'm not on steroids, and I haven't had any filler treatment for some years. I'm attaching a picture from 8 years ago. I know that's a long time, but the change has been gradual but very noticeable. What can I do? What could be causing it? Desperately seeking answers, without getting anywhere.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. It seems like you can benefit from Buccal fat removal, this is a good option to contour the face. Buccal fat excision can be done comfortably, awake, under local anesthesia in under an hour. The results are long lasting and the recover is quick. I recommend you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for proper evaluation.

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

Based on your photos I would recommend buccal fat pad reduction and silicone cheek implants. Your cheeks are full in the lower half and there is a flatness to the upper portion of the cheeks which could use more projection. Sometimes additional liposuction of the jowl area is helpful.

Omar Lazos, MD · Answer

You are an eligible candidate for buccal fat pad removal. Buccal fat pad removal is a minimal invasive procedure that usually takes place in a doctor’s office (doesn´t take longer than 20 minutes). Removing this fat pad strategically gives a sharper, chiseled and more symmetric appearance. Good candidates are patients that despite losing weight or are in their normal weigh, the volume in their cheeks area is still prominent. Combining this with chin lipo has a very powerful result. This will improve your jawline making it look more chiseled. The procedure is highly bearable with local anesthesia which is injected inside the mouth at the level of the second upper molar. At this site a small puncture incision is made and it’s carefully dissected so that no neighboring structures (nerves or vessels) are damaged until the pad is found. Once the pad is found it is pulled to the oral cavity to remove it under direct vision, thus not harming any other structures. The incision heals by itself and closes by the 4-5 day, and no sutures are needed. Factors that influence results are: amount of buccal fat pad removed (average amount is 3 cc, the size of a chestnut), healing process, wound retraction, overall tissue (amount of facial muscle and skin). The results start to show after the swelling begins to fade away, usually at 1-month post op and the end results at 3 months postop. Search for a certified plastic surgeon to do this procedure that may seem not difficult but carries risks for complications. The most common complication although rare is hematoma that is related to efforts in the immediate 3 days postop. Hematoma is a self-limiting complication that besides the size of the swelling it always resolves (takes 1 week to get better). Other complications are: infection, facial nerve damage and salivary gland duct or Stenon duct.

Ali Gurlek, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question 
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

Val Lambros, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

What's happened to your body weight? You really need to see someone in person. Skin treatments will do nothing for you these are structural issues

Moon face and chubby cheeks. What can I do?

Answers (5)

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