Buccal Fat Removal: Your Guide to Chiseled Cheeks

Some people don't enjoy having a “baby face" or full cheeks in adulthood and opt for a more streamlined or mature look through a procedure known as buccal fat removal. This procedure helps thin and contour the facial cheeks in the hollows¹ and can be done to men's or women's faces. It is much more subtle than a facelift or other facial cosmetic treatments, like Botox® or facial fillers.

Here we take a look at everything you need to know before considering this procedure.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal refers to a plastic surgery procedure done to slim the cheeks.² Within the cheeks sits a special kind of fat called a “buccal fat pad," which gives cheeks their round, smooth look.¹

The size and shape of this fat pad is different for every person, but it generally contributes to a fullness or roundness of the cheeks and upper face. Though there is nothing wrong with having bigger cheeks, for people who find their cheeks too full or simply prefer a more angular look, the buccal fat pad can be removed to offer a more “hollowed" or chiseled look.

However, for people whose faces are already narrow or thin, this procedure may not be recommended, as it can lead to a gaunt look over time.¹

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost?

The average cost for Buccal fat removal ranges between $2,000 and $5,000,² and in some cases can be as much as $20,000.³ The price for Buccal fat removal surgery will vary depending on factors such as:³

• Geographic location³
• Surgeon's fee
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Anesthesia fees (general anesthesia typically costs more than local anesthesia)³
• Prescription medications
• Medical tests and X-rays

Who Is a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?

Because every person's face is slightly different, buccal fat removal surgery is not a cookie-cutter procedure and the results will vary.¹ Primarily, candidates who seek this procedure are seeking to reduce “fullness" in their cheeks.

Good candidates for Buccal fat removal include:¹

• An individual who is healthy and at a “stable weight"
• An individual who does not smoke
• Someone who wishes to thin out or reduce the fullness of their cheeks
• Someone with realistic expectations, since surgery can't guarantee how you will look

You may not be a good candidate for buccal fat removal if you:²

• Have been diagnosed with progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome). This is a rare disorder that can cause skin shrinkage on one side of your face, and can affect the buccal fat pad.
• Have sagging skin due to aging. Fat loss in the face is part of the aging process. Buccal fat removal might contribute to other conditions such as jowls, which can be a result of aging.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also recommends that interested individuals first review buccal fat removal surgery photos and gain an education on what to expect in recovery. They have found that patients who are better prepared are more likely to have appropriate expectations and a better recovery.¹

Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal

The main benefit of buccal fat removal is that it may produce a facial result that can change the way your cheeks and face look, leading to personal satisfaction or greater confidence. The results can include thinner, more angular cheeks, or a less full look to your face.²

Is Buccal Fat Removal Permanent?

Removing buccal fat pads from your face is a permanent cosmetic procedure.⁴ The fat will not grow back, though it can take several months for the final look to reveal itself, as the wound heals and the area that held the fat pad shrinks.

Because of the permanence of the procedure, it's important to be very sure about having the surgery before doing so.

What Happens to Dimples After Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat pad removal will not take away your dimples, if you have them, but it could alter their appearance or depth.⁵ Dimples are a result of changes in the muscles of the cheeks, not the amount or shape of fat.⁶ However, any change to the cheeks and areas near dimples can affect how dimples appear.⁷

Buccal Fat Removal Consultation

Before you are cleared for buccal fat removal, you'll have a consultation with a plastic surgeon who will discuss:¹

• Your goals for having this surgery
• The state of your health, including medical conditions, drug allergies and any medical treatments you have had or may be currently receiving
• Any current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco or drugs that you are using
• Your previous surgical history

Your plastic surgeon will also make sure you're in the best health for the procedure, examine your face to be sure you are a good candidate, take photographs and discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery.

Questions to ask your plastic surgeon

Before any surgery, you want to be sure you know everything you possibly can, and buccal fat removal is no exception. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a recommended list of questions to ask, including:⁷

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• How are complications handled?
• How can I expect to look over time? After pregnancy?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my procedure?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure?
• What are reasonable results for me?

Preparing for Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

Before a buccal fat removal procedure, you may be expected to do the following:¹

• Obtain lab tests or a medical evaluation.
• Adjust, take or stop certain medications.
• Stop smoking.
• Refrain from non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and even herbal supplements that can increase bleeding.

What to Expect During Buccal Fat Removal Surgery¹

Buccal fat removal surgery can be performed in a hospital, a licensed ambulatory surgery setting or in the surgeon's own office.¹ Here are the stages of the surgery:

Anesthesia

Probably the most important part to the patient is getting the right medications to reduce pain and maximize comfort during the procedure. Most people can choose between intravenous sedation and general anesthesia.⁸ You can talk with your doctor to determine the best choice. However, in either case, you will probably need to arrange a driver to and from surgery, as the medications can leave you woozy and unsafe to drive yourself.

Making the incision

Once you're fully medicated, the surgeon will make an incision inside your mouth, on the inner side of your cheek and remove the pad. If you happen to be having a facelift in addition to buccal fat removal, you may not need an incision in the mouth.¹

Removing the buccal fat pad

Your surgeon will place some pressure on the outside of your cheek, which makes the buccal fat pad more accessible for removal. ¹

Closing the incision¹

Once the buccal fat pad is removed, your surgeon will close the incision with sutures (stitches) inside your mouth. Most of the time, these are dissolvable, but some surgeons may use a different kind of suture. It's recommended to try not to play with the sutures with your tongue.

The end result

Once the swelling of surgery goes down, you should see the result of thinner and more angular cheeks. ¹

Recovery From Buccal Fat Removal¹

After surgery you will not be eating big meals — you will most likely have to follow a liquid diet for a few days to a week, as instructed by your surgeon. You will also likely have to use a mouth rinse that lowers your risk of infection. You may also be given pain medication and instructions on how to care for your surgical site.

Make sure you ask your surgeon about medication; when and how to resume normal activity and eating; and get a follow-up appointment on the books.

It may take several weeks for your healing to be complete, in which time swelling will reduce and your face will hopefully achieve the look you were seeking.

Buccal Fat Removal Risks

Any surgery comes with some possible risks and complications. Though the American Society of Plastic Surgery lists many of them, it does not mean that any or all of them will happen to you.

The possible risks of buccal fat removal surgery include:¹

• Anesthesia risks
• Asymmetry of the face
• Bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Hematoma
• Infections
• Injury to a salivary duct
• Injury to branches of the facial nerve, which could lead to temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness
• Numbness or other changes in sensation
• Persistent pain
• Poor healing of incisions
• The possible need for additional surgery
• Prolonged swelling
• Results that aren't as planned or lack changes

Financing Buccal Fat Removal With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting buccal fat removal or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Paypal, The Washington Post and more.