Contouring Cheeks with Fat Reduction

Liposuction is the top plastic surgery procedure in many offices. Hips, thighs, arms, and abdomens are thinned with liposuction. The neck is another popular place to contour with fat reduction. The face and cheeks, however, are typically not amenable to liposuction for many reasons. Cheek fat reduction is performed differently for those who want to slim the face.

Excess facial fat is often not due to being overweight. In fact, many slim patients have excess cheek fat and feel “chubby” in the face. These plastic surgery patients are typically born with this excess cheek fat, which typically doesn’t change with diet or exercise.

Cheek Fat Reduction

Patients can slim the face with cheek fat reduction surgery, also known as buccal fat reduction. The minor procedure removes a majority of this mid facial cheek fat via small incisions inside the mouth. The procedure typically takes takes less than an hour and has quick recovery.

Below is a brief operative video of buccal fat reduction performed by Dr. Chaboki. Liposuction is not performed of the face or cheeks, rather a ball of cheek fat is gently removed from the face.

Cheek Fat Reduction Results

One goal of buccal fat reduction is to reduce attention to the relative excess cheek volume. The volume reduction from this plastic surgery can result in the upper cheeks appearing secondarily enhanced, a desired effect by many patients.

Plastic surgeons advise patients to avoid a gaunt appearance, but rather sculpt the face to be more proportionate. Patients after cosmetic cheek fat surgery may also report appearing more mature and less “childish”, another potential benefit in this group. Others have reported less cheek biting after cheek fat volume reduction surgery too.

Cheek Fat Reduction Candidate

Patients who are generally healthy who feel they were born with excess cheek fat despite a healthy diet and regular exercise may be candidates for cheek fat reduction surgery.

Examination is required to help determine if one is a candidate for cheek fat reduction surgery or another plastic surgical procedure. Your plastic surgeon may suggest other cosmetic procedures in addition to or as an alternative to cheek fat reduction as appropriate. Facial fillers injections for lower eye dark circles and upper cheek areas, neck and jowl liposuction, facial fat transfer, chin augmentation, or Botox® jaw reduction are some other aesthetic considerations with facial sculpting.

Have you considered slimming the face? Dr. Chaboki specializes in sculpting the face with both surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Contact the office to schedule a consultation, and share your thoughts below.