Buccal Fat removal journey

I have been lurking on RealSelf for about two years reading through reviews and trying to find the right doctor for buccal fat removal. I like the less invasive approach that this procedure lends itself to, so I've been picky about finding doctors that actually perform this with local anesthesia (as I really don't want to "go under" for a procedure), and to find someone that has performed this on a frequent basis. I was planning on going to Florida to see a doctor down there who is known for doing buccal fat removals regularly, but with COVID and having to travel such a distance (I'm in the Seattle area) I decided it wasn't worth the risk right now. Plus, it helps that I finally found a Dr. in my area that I am comfortable with, and that I feel will be able to produce the results I'm looking for--subtle, but impactful.
A little bit about me: Well, I'm turning 30 in a few short weeks, and I've gotten to a point with my physical insecurities, that I'd rather not carry the mental burden of worrying/living with contempt based off of things that I have tried to change "the right way". I have physically and mentally exhausted myself trying to diet and exercise my way to a thin body, and much to my effort (and lots of money on gym memberships and personal training over the years) I realized how unsustainable it all has been, as none of that effort has lead to a lifestyle that I actually enjoy. As I'm approaching a milestone year, my philosophy is that I'd just rather pay a professional to get what I want done, instead of worrying and obsessing about it for another 15+ years. It's too mentally taxing, and I'm just trying to live, after all.
Regardless, I've always had chubbier cheeks, and not enough contouring (or dieting/exercise) in the world has made me feel comfortable/happy with them. I have a fairly "heart-shaped" face, which I am happy with, but most days it's a rounder than I like, and the extra volume at the sides of my cheeks make me hate taking pictures, which makes documenting anything in life stressful, and causes me to look back and detest moments of my life that should just showcase joy and happiness. I especially hate that I don't enjoy looking back on most of the traveling I've done--I end up disliking every photo I've taken because of how wide my cheeks get when I smile. It's a feeling I'm tired of having, and that I'm hoping with this procedure will allow me to feel more confident about my smile.
Anyway, I recently went in for a consultation with Dr. Ort, and she was nothing short of compassionate and caring. She indicated I would be a good candidate for the buccal fat removal, and suggested additional Botox to my masseter muscle so that it doesn't protrude on the side of my face as much, as well as submental lipo around my chin and lower jaw area to remove any extra fat around there while simultaneously tightening the skin (which I had mentioned to her was a concern of mine around my neck and jawline). All with local anesthesia, which I'm thrilled about. While this was more than I was hoping to do, she explained her comprehensive approach and why it would work well with my face and achieve the slimmer, more defined results I am going for. And, I was actually happy to hear her thorough approach and ability to focus on my face as a whole and not just my cheeks.
So, needless to say, after thinking on it a couple of days, I have made my appointment for all three recommendations for Aug. 6, 2020! I drop off my down payment on Tuesday, and then it will be official. I have already also made my pre-op appointment which will happen on July 23rd and my post-op appointment for Aug. 13th. I'm very excited to document my buccal fat removal journey here, and hope that it will help others.
Reach out with questions if you have any.
Photos to come!

Yesterday I dropped off my down payment at Dr. Ort’s office. I’m paying cash to get 5% off, so that required a trip in (another reason I’m happy that I found a skilled doctor near where I live). Otherwise, nothing special to report, just that it’s starting to get real now! Dr. Ort’s patient coordinator, Diana has been wonderful too—very sweet and helpful. She told me that a few days prior to surgery I would need to get a COVID test and she jotted down a website for me that would help me figure out where I should go to get tested. So easy. Next up will be my pre-op appointment on July 24th where I’ll fill out more paperwork and take some before photos. More to come! Photos too, still... Getting excited!

Here are some photos I took of myself to give an idea of my “before”.
I still have a little less than a month until I actually go in for my pre-op appointment, so I might upload more around that time, since I’ll have some photos taken at the office. For now, this is my benchmark—I’m hoping the cropping will still allow for a good comparison when I take my afters! Just trying to keep some anonymity! ????