Some people have rounder faces genetically, despite being physically fit in all other parts of their bodies.

Others have lost a substantial amount of weight and feel confident with their bodies, aside from stubborn residual fat in their cheeks that no diet or exercise can remove.

In such cases, the cheeks can become a confidence blocker. Despite plump, round cheeks being associated with youthfulness, there is a point at which adults want to correct their facial fat to match the contour of their bodies.

One of the most desired features of beauty is high, prominent cheekbones, and many people are unaware of what’s out there to contour and reveal their placement. Many will be familiar with using makeup to make their cheeks appear slimmer and more defined, but other, more permanent options are available.

Why does my face appear plumper than the rest of my body?

We all have fat pads or fat between the cheekbones and jaw bones in our cheeks, and some of us naturally have larger fat pads that make our faces appear rounder. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says the size of the buccal fat pad varies from person to person, and some people may have asymmetric cheeks if one is larger than the other. If your cheeks appear plump and remain that way despite how diligent your diet and exercise routines are, you probably have larger fat pads naturally due to your genetics.

Can I slim down my round face with facial plastic surgery?

If you feel insecure or frustrated about the size and shape of your cheeks and have tried everything in the book to slim them down, then facial surgery could change your life. Buccal fat removal, or buccal lipectomy, involves using a specialized technique to thin out the cheek area that hollows. This procedure is minor, simple, and quick, giving you a narrower look.

Some patients of Dr. Kaplan’s have shared that their confidence has hugely increased after having buccal fat removal surgery as it makes their faces appear slimmer and more mature. Some people struggle their whole lives with getting called “baby face” by peers because of stubborn fat in their cheeks that never seems to slim down before they enter adulthood.

This can especially damage men’s self-esteem, as masculinity is often associated with sharp physical features such as prominent cheekbones and jawlines. If you relate to this and want to change your rounded “baby face,” you may be a good candidate for buccal fat removal and this can be the procedure that could change your life.

What is buccal fat removal?

Buccal fat removal is a surgical procedure involving the removal of excess fat from the cheeks to bring patients’ high cheekbones and beautiful, natural contours to light for everyone to see. During the procedure, Dr. Kaplan will place a small incision inside your mouth on each side of your face, gently apply pressure to your buccal fat pads, and then remove them from your cheeks before suturing the incisions closed.

Will I be left with scars after buccal fat removal?

As mentioned above, Dr. Kaplan places the incisions for buccal fat removal inside your cheeks where no one can see them, so the quick procedure leaves behind no visible scars. Like a closed approach rhinoplasty, where incisions are inside the nose, all incisions for this procedure are inside your mouth.

What results can I expect?

Although buccal fat removal shows impressive results that your peers will be guaranteed to notice, they don’t necessarily appear instantly after the procedure. You should see the final results of your buccal fat removal procedure within a few months after your procedure. If you start to feel impatient and frustrated after a month or so when you still feel like your face is round, trust the process.

When the fat has been removed, it takes time for your skin to settle into your cheek hollows. Once your results shine through with their contoured debut, you should notice a healthy loss of plumpness in your cheeks and better bone definition.

Cleveland Clinic says buccal fat removal may not be recommended if you naturally have a slimmer face or you’re over a certain age, as buccal fat, along with all youthful facial fat, reduces naturally with age.

Are there any alternatives?

If your face is round and you want to make a change in pursuit of newfound confidence, but you aren’t quite ready for a surgical procedure, using a filler in your lower face will help to define your jawline and chin for a more balanced facial structure.

Meanwhile, other surgical options include a chin implant or a mini facelift. However, buccal fat removal is the most effective, long-term procedure as it specifically targets the issue causing the roundness, the buccal fat pads, head-on. Another thing to consider is the buccal fat removal cost and how it is determined in order to be financially prepared if you go for this procedure.

If you feel you may be a candidate for buccal fat removal and want to take a step toward a new sense of self-confidence, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kaplan today.