Buccal fat pad removal before and after photos typically show a slimmer lower cheek, a subtle hollow below the cheekbone and a more defined face, especially in people with round, full faces. Swelling hides the change for the first weeks, and results usually settle by about three months. The change is modest, not dramatic, when done conservatively.
This guide belongs to our buccal fat removal overview. It explains what results look like and how to read photos honestly.
Typical results
Expect a slimmer lower cheek and more visible cheekbone contour; the forehead, jaw and chin stay the same.
The buccal fat pad sits between the cheekbone and jawbone, so removing part of it mainly changes the lower-middle cheek. A 2026 study of 38 patients in Vietnam measured the fat pad with ultrasound and found average volume fell from about 6.8 mL to 4.8 mL at three months. Average satisfaction was 8.5 out of 10.
How to judge a result
| Feature | Natural result | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Lower cheek | Softly slimmer | Sunken or hollow |
| Symmetry | Both sides match | One side fuller |
| Smile | Natural, full cheeks when smiling | Gaunt look when smiling |
| Overall face | Looks like you, more defined | Looks older or tired |
An American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US) article warns that removing buccal fat can create a mid-cheek furrow that adds a decade or more to perceived age, which is why conservative reduction matters.
Round face
Buccal fat removal before and after on a round face often shows the most visible change, if the fullness comes mainly from buccal fat.
Round faces get fullness from several sources: buccal fat, a strong chewing muscle (masseter), fat under the chin, a wide jawbone or general body weight. Only the first responds to buccal fat removal. A surgeon quoted by ASPS estimated only one in five people asking for the procedure need it, and suggested alternatives such as Botox for the jaw muscle or neck tightening.
In my practice, I ask patients to suck their cheeks in and clench their teeth during the exam. If the fullness is mainly over the jaw angle when they clench, the muscle is the cause, not buccal fat. If your face is wide at the jaw, read our guide to buccal fat removal for Asian faces, which covers jaw-muscle fullness.
Results timeline
Results appear gradually: swelling peaks early, most is gone within weeks, and the final shape usually shows at around three months.
| Time | What you’ll see |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 5 | Swollen cheeks; liquid then soft diet; may be hard to open the mouth fully |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Swelling easing; mouthwash after meals continues |
| Weeks 3 to 6 | Slimmer contour starts to show |
| About 3 months | Final shape for most people |
An ASPS article describes a liquid diet for a couple of days, then soft food, mouthwash after every meal for two weeks and about five days off work. In the 2026 Vietnamese study, the most common notable problem was temporary difficulty opening the mouth, which settled in about 10 days on average.
When you see a buccal fat removal model or influencer photo online, check the date, lighting and camera angle. Cheekbone contour makeup, weight loss and filler can create a similar look; see our guide to slimming cheeks without surgery. For celebrity rumours, see celebrity buccal fat removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on buccal fat removal before and after round face results, timing, permanence and what happens with weight gain.
Does buccal fat removal work on a round face?
It can, if the roundness comes from buccal fat. If it comes from a strong jaw muscle, fat under the chin or a wide jawbone, removing buccal fat changes little. A face analysis before surgery shows which factor matters most for your face.
When will I see my final result?
Most swelling settles over a few weeks, and the final shape usually shows at around three months. A 2026 study measured results at three months. Judge the outcome then, not in the first weeks when cheeks are still swollen.
Are buccal fat removal results permanent?
The removed fat doesn’t return, but the rest of the face keeps changing. Weight gain can make cheeks fuller again, and natural fat loss with age can make them hollower. That is why surgeons favour removing only part of the pad.
Can I see buccal face fat removal before and after photos of my surgeon’s patients?
You should ask. Good photos show the same lighting, angle and expression before and after, taken at least three months after surgery. Ask to see patients with a similar face shape to yours and some taken years later, if available.
If you’d like to know whether buccal fat is behind your round face, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For costs and risks, return to the buccal fat removal hub.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Nguyen VP. Efficacy and safety of intra-oral buccal fat pad excision for bilateral cheek slimming. Vietnam J Community Med. 2026;67(SI5):107-111. tapchiyhcd.vn
- Frankeny A. Hollow cheeks: A focus on buccal fat removal. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2024. plasticsurgery.org
- Shacknai G. Facial fat is precious: Why your plastic surgeon shouldn’t be too aggressive with buccal fat removal. ASPS. 2021. plasticsurgery.org
- Willson A. Facial fat: The good, the bad and the confusing. ASPS. 2024. plasticsurgery.org
- Moura LB, Spin JR, Spin-Neto R, Pereira-Filho VA. Buccal fat pad removal to improve facial aesthetics: an established technique? Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2018;23(4):e478-e484. repositorio.unesp.br
