Buccal Fat Removal (Cheek Reduction) in Seattle & Bellevue

Fuller cheeks can sometimes obscure your natural bone structure and cause a heavy appearance in the facial area. Even naturally thin patients can have unwanted volume in their cheeks, making buccal fat removal a choice procedure to slim the face and enhance natural facial contours.

What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal, also known as cheek reduction surgery or buccal lipectomy, is designed to thin the cheeks, particularly in the area of the buccal fat pad. This small, naturally occurring fat pad is located in the lower cheek area. When overdeveloped, it creates a “chubby” or less defined appearance to the face’s shape. Buccal fat removal surgery involves removing some or all of this fat pad through an incision inside the mouth to subtly enhance the cheekbones and create a more angular face shape.

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What are the Benefits of a Cheek Reduction?

The primary benefit of buccal fat removal surgery is revealing sculpted, model-like facial contours. Other benefits include:

  • Creates a more sculpted, angular look
  • Balanced facial proportions
  • No visible scars
  • Minimal downtime

What Causes Buccal Fat?

Everyone has some buccal fat, which helps cushion your jaw and lift the skin. The amount of facial fat cells you have is determined by several factors, such as genetics and lifestyle. Diet and exercise can impact overall fat distribution, however, they often have minimal effect on buccal fat, making surgery a viable option if you want to slim your facial appearance and lift and highlight your cheekbones.

How is Buccal Fat Removal Performed?

Dr. Sobel typically performs buccal fat removal under local anesthesia with IV sedation. If you would like to discuss other options, Dr. Sobel will be happy to go over your choices during your consultation.

Buccal Fat Removal Incisions

Dr. Sobel will carefully lift your cheek and place a small incision on the inside of your cheek. He uses dissolvable sutures, and you will not have a visible scar!

Your Procedure

Through this incision, Dr. Sobel will either manually extract or use cheek liposuction to reduce the buccal fat pad in each cheek. Dr. Sobel is careful to remove just the right amount of fat to achieve the desired facial contour and lift without overcorrection. Removing too much fat can create a gaunt look and age your appearance.

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Who is an Ideal Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?

This surgery is well-suited for many patients who wish to reduce the amount of volume in the cheek area: A good candidate for this cosmetic procedure should identify with these statements:

  • You wish to define your natural bone structure
  • You are a non-smoker in good health
  • You are at a stable weight

During your initial consultation, Dr. Sobel will sit down with you and answer all your questions, and determine if a cheek reduction surgery will achieve the outcome you desire.

Who Should Not Get Buccal Fat Reduction?

If your face is naturally slim or narrow, having surgery to remove fat from the cheek area, which is typically the widest part of your face, will likely create a hollow, gaunt appearance. Because facial fat pads tend to diminish naturally over time, older patients may also want to avoid exaggerating a thinning face with buccal fat reduction surgery.

For patients who would not benefit from buccal fat reduction surgery, Dr. Sobel recommends either a fat transfer procedure to help sculpt facial contours or using a dermal filler treatment to create just enough volume to lift and highlight your cheekbones.

Preparing for Surgery with our Bellevue Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. Sobel aims to ensure that each patient feels confident and prepared for their surgery and recovery. You’ll receive detailed, easy-to-follow pre and post-op guidelines for a smooth operation and recovery. These guidelines may include avoiding certain medications and how to eat and maintain good oral hygiene during the healing process after surgery.

Recovery After Buccal Fat Removal

Most patients recover quickly after facial surgery, with only mild to moderate swelling. Swelling after surgery is normal and typically subsides as you heal. Be aware that initial swelling may obscure the results of the surgery at first.

Because the incisions are inside the mouth, it’s important to follow post-operative care instructions including dietary modifications and oral hygiene practices for a quick and easy recovery.

What Results Can Buccal Fat Removal Achieve?

Buccal fat removal is unique in that it’s a relatively minor facial surgery that can impact the overall appearance of the face while still appearing beautifully natural. As swelling resolves, your natural bone structure will be more evident. This process can take several weeks to a few months. During this time, you’ll have follow-up appointments with Dr. Sobel to monitor your progress and ensure you are healing as expected.

Key Benefits
  • Improved facial proportions: This surgery balances facial proportions for people who feel their cheeks are overly full or “chubby.”
  • Long-lasting results: The results of buccal fat pad removal are permanent.
  • No visible scarring: The surgery requires a single, small incision on the inside of the mouth, leading to no visible scarring.
  • Quick recovery time: The surgery is minimally invasive and recovery time is generally shorter compared to more extensive cosmetic surgeries.
Glossary
  • Buccal Fat Removal: A cosmetic surgical procedure aimed at reducing the size of the cheeks by removing excess facial fat pads.
  • Healthcare Provider: A professional, such as a doctor, or nurse, that offers medical care.
  • Cheekbones: The prominent bones located under the eye sockets on the face that form part of the structure of the cheek.
  • TikTok: A popular social media platform that allows users to create, share, and discover short videos, popularizing several cosmetic procedures.
  • Buccal Fat Extraction: A process similar to buccal fat removal, focusing on reducing the amount of fat from the cheek area to alter facial contour.
  • Facelift: A surgical procedure that aims to lift facial skin and muscles to create a more youthful facial appearance.
  • Brow Lift: A cosmetic procedure that elevates and reshapes the brow area to reduce wrinkles and improve the appearance of the forehead.
  • Neck Lift: A surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the neck and jawline, lift sagging skin, and remove excess skin and fat.
  • Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty): A surgery to lift and modify the eyelids, removing or repositioning excess tissue and fat to improve the appearance of the eyelids.
  • CoolSculpting: A non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that resists diet and exercise.
  • Parotid: Referring to the parotid glands, the largest of the salivary glands, located near the ears and responsible for saliva production.

Combining Buccal Fat Removal with Other Procedures

To achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, buccal fat removal can be combined with other procedures such as:

Enhancing multiple facial areas often allows Dr. Sobel to achieve stronger improvements in your overall appearance by balancing your face shape to best suit your unique proportions and aesthetic goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Dr. Sobel will only reduce the amount of facial fat in each cheek to reveal a natural-looking cheekbone contour.

Many patients can return to work as early as 3 days after surgery; however, with the mild swelling associated with the procedure, many patients feel more comfortable returning to in-office work about 5 to 7 days post-op.

Complications and potential risks and side effects of this procedure are minimal, but may include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Nerve damage
  • Disruption of the saliva glands
  • Changes in sensation

Most patients do not experience any issues during or after buccal fat removal surgery and are happy with their results.

Most patients have local anesthesia with IV sedation for buccal fat removal surgery. This procedure can be performed under general anesthesia if needed or when combined with other procedures.

You will need to limit your diet to soft foods to avoid irritating your healing incisions and prolonging your recovery. Your stitches will dissolve after about 1-2 weeks, at which time you can switch to your normal diet.

Full results after buccal fat removal surgery can take up to 6-9 months. Most of the swelling will go down after about 4 weeks, and you will continue to notice small changes in your face shape.

Yes, this procedure is permanent; although new fat cells can form over time. Additionally, weight loss or weight gain can impact your original facial augmentation results.

It can if you are not a good candidate for the procedure or if your surgeon removes too much fat.

Yes, fat pads tend to descend from their original positions and thin as we age. Dr. Sobel usually advises against this treatment for those with a naturally thin face.

When choosing a surgeon for a facial procedure, there are several factors to consider. The best surgeon will have a gallery of before and after photographs showcasing their surgical skill and eye for beauty. You should also check the reviews for each surgeon you consider as well as their certifications.

Take the Next Step

If you’re considering buccal fat removal or any combination of facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Sobel and the team at Anderson Sobel Cosmetic Surgery would be happy to meet you! Call our office at 425-453-9060 or fill out the form below.

We serve patients in Bellevue, Seattle, and the surrounding areas and regularly welcome out-of-town patients to our practice.

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References»

Pokrowiecki R. Extended buccal lipectomy (bichectomy) for extreme cheek contouring. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2022 Jul;51(7):929-932. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2021.09.003. 

Matarasso A. Buccal fat pad excision: aesthetic improvement of the midface. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 1991 May;26(5):413-8. doi: 10.1097/00000637-199105000-00001. 

Davis B, Serra M. Buccal Fat Pad Reduction. 2022 Nov 21. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. 

Moura LB, Spin JR, Spin-Neto R, Pereira-Filho VA. Buccal fat pad removal to improve facial aesthetics: an established technique? Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral, Cirugia Bucal. 2018 Jul 1;23(4):e478-e484. doi: 10.4317/medoral.22449. 

Traboulsi-Garet B, Camps-Font O, Traboulsi-Garet M, Gay-Escoda C. Buccal fat pad excision for cheek refinement: A systematic review. Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral, Cirugia Bucal. 2021 Jul 1;26(4):e474-e481. doi: 10.4317/medoral.24335.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexander Sobel — Updated on Apr 7, 2024