Buccal Fat Removal
Surgical reduction of buccal fat for carefully selected patients with persistent lower cheek fullness.
Consult with Dr. Henry Huson at Queen City Plastic Surgery in West Chester, Ohio, serving the Cincinnati area.
- Setting
- Confirmed with your treatment plan
- Anesthesia
- Local, or light sedation
- Procedure time
- Individual estimate at consultation
- Recovery
- Several weeks of swelling are possible
- Results
- Develop over months; results vary
General planning information. Your procedure, anesthesia, recovery, and results depend on your health and treatment plan. Returning to work does not mean full healing.
About the procedure
Buccal fat removal reduces part of the deep cheek fat pad through an incision inside the mouth. It is different from liposuction under the chin and does not correct all causes of a round face.
Candidate selection is especially important because facial volume normally decreases with age. Removing fat can create unwanted hollowing later, and the procedure is difficult to reverse. Naturally narrow faces or faces with existing volume loss may be poor candidates. Swelling can take several months to settle.
Good candidates
- Round or full lower cheeks at a healthy weight
- A desire for more cheekbone definition
- Fullness that has persisted since youth
- Patients with enough facial volume to keep a youthful look
Candidacy is confirmed at your consultation. Dr. Huson will tell you honestly if a different approach would serve you better.
Before & after
Coming soon
Before and after photos for buccal fat removal will be added here.
What to expect
Your consultation
The consultation reviews your goals, medical history, medications, nicotine use, and examination findings. Discuss alternatives, the proposed setting and anesthesia, realistic changes, costs, and the support you will need during recovery.
The procedure
The surgeon removes a selected portion of the cheek fat pad through an incision inside the mouth. Nearby facial nerve branches and the salivary duct must be protected.
Recovery
Follow the prescribed diet and mouth care while the internal incisions heal. Swelling can hide the initial change and take months to settle. Do not assume a small incision means a short recovery.
Risks and limitations
- Over-reduction can create unwanted hollowness that becomes more apparent with aging.
- Facial nerve or salivary duct injury, bleeding, infection, and asymmetry are possible.
This is not a complete list. Your clinician should explain the risks of the specific procedure and anesthesia, including bleeding, infection, healing problems, and any medical factors that change your risk.
Other options
Observation is often reasonable because facial fullness changes with age. If fullness comes from another structure, buccal fat removal may not address it. Do not assume that a round face needs fat removal.
Planning your consultation
Bring your medication list and relevant medical history. Ask about the facility, anesthesia team, follow-up, time away from work, and help at home. Request an itemized estimate covering the procedure, anesthesia, facility, and any additional care; confirm coverage directly if insurance may apply.
Common questions
Bring the rest to your consultation. There is no such thing as too many.
Does the fat come back?
The removed tissue is not expected to regrow, but the face still changes with weight and aging. The operation is difficult to reverse.
Could it make my face look hollow later?
Yes. Age-related volume loss can make removal look excessive over time, which is a key reason for careful selection.
Are there external scars?
The incisions are inside the mouth, so there is usually no external skin scar. Internal scarring and other complications are still possible.
Related procedures
View all 13Sources and further reading
Patient education from Queen City Plastic Surgery. Updated . General information does not replace a personal medical assessment. Sources explain general procedures and do not establish the services or protocols of this practice. Contact the practice with questions or to request a correction.
Ready to talk about Buccal Fat Removal?
Consultations are free, unhurried, and educational. Bring your questions and your goals; leave with an honest plan.