Home/Blog / What are the Best Surgical Solutions for Chubby Cheeks?
This blog has been authored by “Dr. Joe” Gryskiewicz MD, FACS.
About Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz:
Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing aesthetic
surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and belongs to the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, The Rhinoplasty Society, and many other national institutions.
In addition to being in private practice, Dr. Joe is a writer and international speaker. He has traveled the
world delivering over five hundred presentations to professional organizations on plastic surgery topics such as
breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, hot topics, and ethics. He writes for a number of medical journals, society
newsletters, and academic publications.
What are the Best Surgical Solutions for Chubby Cheeks?
March 5, 2025
Effective Procedures for Sculpting a Slimmer Facial Profile
Cheek fat removal, also known as buccal fat removal, targets the natural pockets of fat found in the cheeks. These fat pads, named after the physician Bichat who first described them, often give a fuller appearance to the face, especially in childhood.
While they generally decrease in size as you age, some people may find that these pads remain prominent into adulthood, leading to a round or chubby cheek look. Unlike other fat deposits in the body, buccal fat pads are typically resistant to diet and exercise, making them a common area of concern for those seeking a more contoured facial profile.
Experienced Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz from Twin Cities Plastic Surgery in Minneapolis MN offers expert advice on different options for addressing cheek fullness, including surgical and non-surgical approaches.
What Are Chubby Cheeks?
Chubby cheeks can be influenced by different factors, ranging from genetics to lifestyle and age. While some people naturally have fuller cheeks due to inherited traits, others may experience increased facial volume as a result of weight gain or the natural aging process.
Genetics: Just like your eye color or height, the shape of your face is largely determined by your genes. If your parents or grandparents have full cheeks, chances are you might have inherited this trait.
Weight gain: As you put on weight, your face often shows it too. Fat can accumulate in your cheeks, giving them a rounder appearance.
Aging: Surprisingly, aging can contribute to fuller cheeks. As we get older, our facial fat pads can shift downwards, creating the appearance of jowls and heavier cheeks.
How Chubby Cheeks Affect Facial Harmony
When we talk about facial harmony, we’re referring to how well the different parts of your face work together. It’s all about balance and proportion. Chubby cheeks can sometimes throw this balance off kilter. Here’s how:
They can make your face appear rounder. Fullness in the cheeks tends to give your face a more circular shape. While some find this youthful and charming, others might feel it lacks definition. If you’re after a more angular or ‘chiseled’ look, chubby cheeks might work against that goal.
They might overshadow other features. Your cheekbones, jawline, and chin all play a part in framing your face. When your cheeks are particularly full, these other features might not stand out as much.
They can affect the proportions of your face. Typically, a face is divided into thirds – forehead to eyebrows, eyebrows to the bottom of the nose, and nose to chin. Chubby cheeks can make the lower third appear larger, potentially throwing off these classic proportions.
They might create an illusion of a shorter neck. Full cheeks can blend into the neck area, making it appear shorter or less defined. This can affect the overall line from your face to your body.
They can influence how your smile looks. When you smile, chubby cheeks might become even more pronounced. For some, this creates adorable dimples. For others, it might make their eyes appear smaller or their smile seem less wide.
They can impact the appearance of aging. Interestingly, chubby cheeks can have a contradictory effect on how old you look. On one hand, they can give a youthful, baby-faced appearance. On the other, as you age and your cheeks begin to sag, they might contribute to the appearance of jowls.
Non-Surgical Alternatives for Chubby Cheeks
When you’re looking to correct chubby cheeks, you might want to explore some non-surgical options before considering more invasive procedures. These alternatives can be gentler on your body and wallet, and they’re often worth a try. Here are some approaches you can try at home or with minimal medical intervention.
Lifestyle Changes
Your overall health and habits can play a role in how your face looks. Here are some changes you might consider:
Balanced diet: Eating a diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables can help you maintain a healthy weight. Foods high in sodium can cause water retention, which might make your face look puller. Try cutting back on salty snacks and processed foods.
Stay hydrated: It might seem counterintuitive, but drinking plenty of water can actually help reduce facial puffiness. When you’re dehydrated, your body tends to hold onto water, which can make your face look fuller.
Regular exercise: Cardio and strength training can help you lose fat all over your body, including your face. While you can’t spot-reduce fat from your cheeks, overall weight loss often leads to a slimmer face.
Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can lead to fluid retention, potentially making your face look puffier. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Limit alcohol and smoking: Both can lead to dehydration and can affect the quality of your skin, potentially making your face look less defined.
Other Non-Surgical Methods
Facial massage: Regular facial massage might help improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, potentially reducing puffiness. You can do this yourself or seek out a professional massage therapist.
Gua sha: This traditional Chinese technique involves scraping a flat jade or rose quartz stone along your skin to improve circulation and sculpt facial contours.
Facial rollers: These tools, often made of jade or rose quartz, are said to help with lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness when used regularly.
Topical treatments: Some creams and serums claim to help slim the face, often through ingredients that temporarily tighten the skin. While these might provide a short-term effect, their long-term benefits are typically limited.
Coolsculpting: This non-invasive procedure uses cold temperatures to freeze and eliminate fat cells. While it’s more commonly used on the body, some offer it for the face and neck area.
Limitations of Non-Surgical Methods
While these non-surgical alternatives can be helpful, it’s important to understand their limitations:
Results vary: What works for one person might not work for another. Your genetics, age, and overall health all play a role in how effective these methods might be for you.
Time and patience: Non-surgical methods often require consistent effort over time. You might need to stick with a routine for weeks or months before seeing noticeable results.
Temporary effects: Some methods, like facial exercises or massages, might provide a temporary ‘lifted’ look, but the effects often fade quickly.
Limited impact on bone structure: If your chubby cheeks are due to your underlying bone structure rather than excess fat, non-surgical methods are unlikely to make a significant difference.
Can’t target specific areas: While overall weight loss might slim your face, you can’t choose exactly where you lose fat from.
Surgical Procedures for Chubby Cheeks
If you’ve tried non-surgical treatments and haven’t seen the results you’re after, you might be considering surgical options to address your chubby cheeks. Two popular procedures for this are buccal fat removal and facial liposuction.
Buccal Fat Removal
Buccal fat removal, also known as cheek reduction surgery, is a procedure that targets a specific pocket of fat in your cheeks called the buccal fat pad. These fat pads are located in the lower part of your cheeks, between your facial muscles.
The Procedure:
Preparation: The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation, or sometimes general anesthesia. Dr. Joe will discuss the best option for you.
Incision: Dr. Joe makes a small incision inside your mouth, usually near your upper back molars. This internal approach means there won’t be any visible scars on your face.
Fat Removal: Dr. Joe carefully teases out the buccal fat pad. The amount removed depends on your desired results and your surgeon’s recommendation. It’s a balancing act – remove too little, and you might not see much difference; remove too much, and your face could look gaunt as you age.
Closing: The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches.
The whole procedure usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
Benefits:
More defined cheekbones and jawline
A slimmer, more contoured face shape
Results are generally long-lasting
You’ll likely see some results immediately after surgery, but there will be swelling. Your final results will become apparent over the next few months as the swelling subsides. Most people find their face looks noticeably slimmer and more contoured.
Recovery:
You might experience swelling and bruising for a week or two
Most people can return to work within a week
Eat soft foods for a few days to avoid irritating the incision sites
Full recovery typically takes about three months
It’s worth noting that buccal fat removal is not reversible. As you age and naturally lose facial fat, you might find your face looks a bit gaunt. This is why it’s essential to choose a skilled surgeon who can help you achieve a natural-looking result that will age well with you.
Facial Liposuction
Facial liposuction is another option for reducing chubby cheeks. Unlike buccal fat removal, which targets a specific fat pad, liposuction can address fat throughout the cheek area.
The Procedure:
Preparation: Like buccal fat removal, this can be done under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
Incisions: Dr. Joe makes tiny incisions, often hidden in natural creases or behind your ears.
Fat Removal: A thin tube (cannula) is inserted through the incisions. Dr. Joe moves this back and forth to break up the fat, which is then suctioned out.
Closing: The small incisions are closed with stitches.
The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on the extent of fat removal.
Benefits:
Can address a larger area than buccal fat removal
Can be combined with other procedures like a facelift for more comprehensive results
Allows for more precise sculpting of the face
While you might see some difference immediately, there will be swelling. Your final results will emerge over the following months as swelling subsides. You can expect a more defined jawline and cheek area, with an overall slimmer facial appearance.
Recovery:
Swelling and bruising are common and may last for a few weeks
You’ll likely need to wear a compression garment for a few days to help reduce swelling
Most people can return to work within a week or two
Full results may take 3-6 months to become apparent
One advantage of facial liposuction is that it’s somewhat adjustable. If you lose weight in the future, your face is likely to slim down proportionally. Conversely, if you gain weight, some fat may return to the treated areas.
Choosing Between Procedures
Deciding between buccal fat removal and facial liposuction depends on several factors:
Your facial anatomy: If your fullness is primarily due to large buccal fat pads, buccal fat removal might be more appropriate. If you have overall facial fullness, liposuction might be better.
Your age: Younger patients often do well with buccal fat removal, while older patients might benefit more from liposuction combined with a lift to address any skin laxity.
Your desired outcome: Buccal fat removal provides a more targeted change, while liposuction allows for more overall contouring.
Recovery time: Buccal fat removal generally has a quicker recovery time than facial liposuction.
Remember, these procedures are not suitable for everyone. If you’re significantly overweight, Dr. Joe might recommend losing weight before considering surgery. Also, if you have a naturally thin face, removing fat could lead to a gaunt appearance as you age.
Both of these procedures can provide significant changes to your facial appearance. However, it’s important to have realistic expectations.
FAQs about Chubby Cheek Causes and Solutions
Can certain medications cause chubby cheeks?
Yes, some medications can contribute to facial fullness. Corticosteroids, commonly used to treat conditions like asthma and arthritis, are known to cause ‘moon face’ – a roundening of the face. Some antidepressants and blood pressure medications can also lead to facial swelling or weight gain that affects the cheeks.
Is there a link between chubby cheeks and overall health?
While chubby cheeks aren’t necessarily a health concern, they can sometimes be an indicator of underlying conditions. For instance, Cushing’s syndrome, a hormonal disorder, can cause a characteristic round, full face. In some cases, hypothyroidism can also lead to facial puffiness.
Do chubby cheeks affect how people perceive my age?
The effect of chubby cheeks on perceived age can vary. Some people find that fuller cheeks make them look younger, as facial volume is associated with youth. However, if the fullness extends to the lower face and jaw area, it might create the appearance of jowls, which can make one look older.
Can dental problems contribute to the appearance of chubby cheeks?
Yes, in some cases. Dental issues like impacted wisdom teeth or severe tooth infections can cause swelling in the cheek area. While this is usually temporary, chronic dental problems can sometimes lead to changes in facial appearance.
Further Reading About Face Surgery with Dr. Gryskiewicz
