Is micro-liposuction available for cheeks?

Question

I have always had very large cheeks, and I know microlipo can be used on other parts of the body - but what about the facial cheeks? Is this something that can be done?

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question!  I do not performed or recommend any type of liposuction to the cheeks - there are so many nerves and muscles in that area that could be damaged, it is not worth the risk.  Plus what people perceive is fatty cheeks is actually the buccal fat pad and not subcutaneous fat.  It is literally a golf ball size wad of fat that is located in each cheek.  What you maybe a candidate for is a buccal lipectomy where the golf ball sized fat pad is removed from each cheek.  This is performed inside the mouth so there are no external scars, and the procedure takes less than 30 minutes to do.  It can create a more contoured appearance and give you the shadowing that many patients like.With that said, only with a consultation and a proper physical examination can an appropriate recommendation be provided.  Best of luck and hope this information helps!- Dr. Roger Tsai@DrRogerTsai

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Many patients have chubby cheeks, with a disproportion between the malar area and the lower part of the face.  In certain patients it can be helpful to remove or reduce the buccal fat pads.  That fat can then be used to augment deficient areas of the face.  Liposuction in the face can yield permanent, unfixable irregularities.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Liposuction of the face isn't recommended because of the risks and our faces lose volume as we age. But it can be done, meticulously if someone is a candidate.  Lasers, ultherapy, microneedling/prp, rf treatments can sometimes help improve shape.  See an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

Round or large cheeks may appear to be all fat, but it is often a combination of skin thickness, subcutaneous fat, facial muscle size, internal buccal fat pad size, and surrounding skeletal structure. It is best to have an in-office examination to determine the exact cause of your larger cheeks so the correct treatment can be recommended. Generally speaking, liposuction only treats the subcutaneous fat which is not usually the biggest factor. Liposuction of the cheeks can cause nerve injury and "grooving" of the cheeks which can be more apparent under overhead lights or shadowing. There are both surgical and non-surgical options to treat round cheeks. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The term micro liposuction is often used for marketing purposes.
There are Lipo suction cannulas ranging from 1 mm to over 10mm.
There is no standard definition of what constitutes a micro liposuction cannula.
One large multi center corporation with very slick commercials describes their procedure as micro liposuction cannulas when in fact they use 4 millimeter cannula's.
In my opinion anything larger than a 2 mm cannula it's probably not a micro cannula.
Surgeons use the appropriate size cannula for the type of work there performing.
Removing 5 L of fat with a 1 mm canula would be virtually impossible.
Using a 5 mm cannula on the face would be a barbaric.
Just find the right surgeon and everything will fall into place.
Don't judge a Carpender by the brand hammer they use.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom M.D.

Jon A. Perlman, MD (retired) · Answer

I learned years ago of the limits of cheek liposuction especially when compared to the benefits of buccal fat pad excision for someone similar to yourself.  Patients who complain of consistently round cheeks despite their weight usually benefit from buccal fat pad refinement.  This does not thin the protective padding immediately beneath the skin in the way that liposuction does and consequently does not result in formation of new wrinkles.  Meet with an ABPS board-certified plastic surgeon or an experienced facial ENT plastic surgeon for face-to-face consultation.  Best wishes,Jon A Perlman M.D., FACSDiplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)ABC-TV Extreme Makeover SurgeonBeverly Hills, CaliforniaIG: jonperlmanmd

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