Greetings reddit,

The advice here is knowledgeable very often, I could use some thoughts regarding my lifting, health and body image in general.

Basics: M27, 5"10/155lbs. Trained at the gym for 2-3 years and fucked around most of it. Now I have trained SL5x5 for 5 months.

I have never tried one-rep maxes. Current (raw) max-lifts 5x5: Bench: 130 / OHP: 80 / Squat: 230 / DL: 270 / Barbell-row: 125

To be able to lift these progressive maxes with proper form I must rest 3-5mins between every set and the workout time gets very long.

I do not know my BFP, but would estimate 12-16%. Most of the unwanted adipose tissue is located in my face, ass, stomach and sides.

Body pics:

https://imgur.com/o2wUUcP

Some back story and what next:

I have stopped progressing with weights for some weeks now as I’m eating at a deficit and the lifts are getting very tough. In my lower back and right leg there is some sciatic nerve pain that has made me question the load I’m lifting. I squat and deadlift free of symptoms but moving my hips forward or for example utilizing my legs while bench-pressing causes severe stabbing pain in my right buttock.

Biggest problem I've got concerns my face. The ultimate babyface. Cheeks are so filled that I literally look like someone who has eaten two golfballs if I smile. I was malnourished, fat and went through severe chronic inflamed acne during my adolescence and early twenties, which is why the situation now is like it is. T-levels are low for a male of my age. I got them measured few months ago at 450 ng/dl or 16 nmol/l.

Until couple years ago I had followed a “vegetarian” diet since birth, aka loads of shit without any protein. Today I’m eating supposedly very healthy almost fully vegan with an occasional omega-3 egg or few to avoid acne and inflammation. It’s providing adequate protein (0.6- 0.8g / lb) per day with a 1700-1900kcal intake. Macros: 255ch/110p/45f. Trying to maintain an 8-hour eating window as well as I can.

I am aware that my body is quite skinny and I could bulk to gain muscle mass and to increase BMR for easier fat loss in future but I REALLY want my face slimmed before putting on any more fat because it makes me absolutely miserable at times. I have also seriously considered a surgery for buccal-fat removal, however this is my last resort option as I’m unsure how it would affect me in thirties and fourties and on.

For how long I should continue doing SL5x5 and will my metabolism act up if I try to lose more fat in my current state and continue with a caloric deficit?

Thoughts?