Who is an ideal candidate?

The honest framework

Across published literature and Doç. Dr. Erdal's own practice, the following profile correlates strongly with long-term patient satisfaction:

• Age 20 to about 35. Young enough that natural facial fat is still abundant; old enough that the face has finished maturing (full facial maturity is reached around 21–22 in most patients).
• Round, oval-wide, or wide-lower face shape. The fat being removed is a meaningful contributor to the shape.
• Persistent buccal fullness despite stable, healthy body weight. Not weight-related cheek fullness, which improves with fitness.
• Good skin elasticity. Skin must be able to redrape over the slimmed cheek without sagging.
• Reasonable, realistic expectations. Wanting refinement, not transformation.
• No history of significant weight loss / regain cycles.
• Family history of stable-volume aging rather than thin-faced aging.

Who is NOT a candidate

Equally honest: patients we typically decline or strongly counsel away from this procedure:

• Already-thin or narrow facial structure
• Age 45+ unless cheek volume is unusually preserved
• Active or recent significant weight loss
• History of eating disorder or unstable body image
• Expectation of dramatic, "Hollywood cheek" transformation
• Family history of thin-faced aging (gaunt parents/grandparents at 50–60)
• Strong smoker, significant sun damage
• Underlying body dysmorphic concerns

Declining a procedure that wouldn't serve the patient is part of ethical practice. A patient told "you're not a good candidate" today rarely regrets it; a patient who underwent the wrong procedure often does — and the result is irreversible.

The photo-based assessment we offer

Before flying to Istanbul or committing to anything, you can send three facial photos (front, profile, three-quarter) via WhatsApp and Doç. Dr. Erdal will personally review your case and give an honest opinion on suitability. There is no obligation, no aggressive follow-up — about 30% of patients who send photos are politely advised that this isn't the right procedure for them.

This assessment focuses on:

• Face shape and width-to-length ratio
• Apparent location and prominence of the buccal fat pad
• Surrounding facial volume and skin quality
• Likely aging trajectory based on visible cues

Frequently asked questions

Can I have buccal fat removal at 50?

It is possible but uncommon. At 50, most patients have already lost some buccal fat naturally, and removing more risks accelerating a gaunt appearance. A few patients at 50 with unusually preserved cheek volume can still be candidates, but the resection volume is much smaller than what we would consider in a 28-year-old patient.

Does being overweight disqualify me?

Not directly, but we usually recommend reaching stable, target weight before surgery. Buccal fat itself doesn't significantly shrink with weight loss, but the surrounding cheek fat does — so doing the surgery before reaching goal weight can produce an unpredictable result.

My mother and grandmother both have very thin faces. Should I be worried?

Yes, this is one of the most important questions a patient can ask. Strong familial thin-aging is a meaningful contraindication for aggressive buccal fat removal. A conservative, partial resection may still be possible, or a different procedure (e.g., masseter Botox) may suit you better.