Wish your cheekbones were more defined and the chubby cheeks you expected to outgrow were less prominent? That’s the goal of buccal fat removal.
It’s one of the surgical services offered by triple-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gordon Sasaki at his multitiered practice, Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center in Pasadena, California.
Here’s more from our team on the purpose of cheek reduction surgery or buccal fat removal, the treatment process, recovery timeline, benefits, and important considerations for achieving balanced, natural-looking results.
The buccal fat pads are naturally occurring pockets of fat located deep within the facial cheeks. Though everyone has these fat pads, their size varies from person to person.
Buccal fat removal, also known as cheek reduction surgery, is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat from the lower cheeks. People who consider this procedure often feel their face appears too round or lacks visible contour in the cheek and jawline areas.
By reducing the volume in the lower cheeks, the procedure can create a more sculpted and refined facial profile. The surgery is performed inside the mouth, meaning there are no visible external scars.
Ideal candidates for buccal fat removal are healthy adults with realistic expectations about what the surgery offers. For instance, the goal is subtle facial contouring rather than dramatic weight loss.
This procedure may be appropriate for those who:
Not everyone is an ideal candidate. For instance, individuals with very thin faces or significant facial volume loss due to aging may not benefit from buccal fat pad removal. Excessive reduction in the fat pad can create a hollow appearance over time.
The surgery typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Your surgeon makes small incisions inside the cheeks and gently removes a controlled amount of buccal fat. Once your provider achieves your desired contour, the incisions are closed using dissolvable sutures.
Because the incisions are inside the mouth, you do not need to worry about visible scarring. Most individuals return home on the same day as the procedure.
Recovery from buccal fat pad removal is typically straightforward. Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common during the first week. We typically advise you to follow a soft-food diet for several days to avoid irritating the incision sites.
Final results may take several weeks to months to fully develop as the tissues settle into their new contours.
To support proper healing, we recommend you:
Attending follow-up appointments as directed is important for monitoring healing and ensuring optimal results.
One of the primary benefits of buccal fat removal is improved facial definition. Patients often notice a slimmer lower face and enhanced cheekbone contour.
Additional advantages may include:
When performed conservatively by an experienced plastic surgeon, the results appear natural and harmonious with your overall facial structure.
If you’d like to determine whether this procedure aligns with your facial anatomy and cosmetic goals, simply undergo a comprehensive evaluation with an experienced plastic surgeon. This allows you to discuss expectations and understand potential risks as we develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Schedule an evaluation at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center today.
