What Is Buccal Fat Removal? Procedure, Cost, Risks & Results
What is buccal fat removal? It is a short operation that removes part of the buccal fat pad, a pocket of fat in the lower cheek, through a cut inside the mouth. It slims a full lower face and adds cheek definition. There’s no visible scar, but the change is permanent, and over-removal can look hollow with age.
This page is the hub of our buccal fat series. It covers the basics and links to detailed guides on results, men, Asian faces and alternatives.
| Quick facts | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Incision | Inside the mouth; no outer scar |
| Anaesthesia | Often local, sometimes sedation |
| Time off work | About 5 days (ASPS article) |
| Diet | Liquid for a couple of days, then soft food |
| US surgeon fee, 2024 | $3,000 to $5,500 (ASPS) |
| Permanence | Permanent; cannot simply be undone |
What is buccal fat removal?
Also called buccal lipectomy, it reduces a deep cheek fat pad to slim a full lower face; it doesn’t remove fat elsewhere in the face.
The buccal fat pad sits between the cheekbone and the jawbone, in the hollow that appears when you suck in your cheeks, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Buccal fat removal face surgery is sought by people who want to reduce a “baby face” or “chipmunk cheeks” look. ASPS first reported data on the procedure for 2022, with about 4,543 patients treated by its members.
The procedure is decades old, according to an ASPS article, but notes its popularity rose sharply over five years, linked to social media and video calls. Fullness in the lower face can come from other causes too, such as a strong jaw muscle or fat under the chin, which buccal fat removal won’t fix.
Procedure
The buccal fat removal treatment uses a short incision inside each cheek, through which the surgeon gently teases out part of the fat pad.
- Anaesthesia: often local, sometimes with sedation.
- Incision: a short cut on the inner cheek lining near the upper back teeth. A 2026 Vietnamese study described a 1.5 to 2 cm incision.
- Removal: part of the fat pad is gently teased out and trimmed, avoiding the saliva duct and facial nerve branches nearby.
- Closure: dissolvable stitches inside the mouth.
It can also be done from outside during a facelift, according to ASPS. In my practice, I aim to reduce rather than empty the fat pad, because the face will lose fat naturally over the coming decades anyway.
Who is a candidate
Good candidates have noticeable fullness from buccal fat, good skin elasticity, a stable weight and realistic expectations.
A surgeon quoted by ASPS says the surgery suits people with noticeable buccal fat and good skin elasticity. Older people or those with looser skin may need a facelift as well. Keep your weight stable for at least six months before surgery. Another surgeon quoted by ASPS estimated that only one in five people who ask for buccal fat removal need it. Our buccal fat removal for Asian faces and buccal fat removal for men guides cover specific considerations.
Cost
ASPS reports a 2024 US surgeon-fee range of $3,000 to $5,500 for buccal fat removal, with anaesthesia and facility fees extra.
Buccal face fat removal cost depends on the surgeon’s experience, location and whether it’s combined with other procedures. Insurance doesn’t cover it. Ask for an itemized quote that lists surgeon, anaesthesia, facility and follow-up fees.
Recovery and risks
Recovery involves swelling, a liquid then soft diet and mouthwash for two weeks; serious complications are uncommon but possible.
According to an ASPS article, you’ll be on a liquid diet for a couple of days, then soft food, use an antiseptic mouthwash after meals and at night for two weeks, and take about five days off work. Swelling can hide the result for weeks.
A 2018 review in Medicina Oral found minor complications in 8.45% of 71 patients and no reported injuries to the saliva duct or facial nerve. It also found no studies assessing long-term aging effects. In a 2026 study of 38 Vietnamese patients, 10.53% had notable complications, mostly temporary difficulty opening the mouth that settled in about 10 days.
Regrets and aging
Buccal face fat removal aging concerns are real: faces lose fat naturally, so over-removal can look gaunt years later, and regrets are hard to reverse.
An ASPS article explains that facial fat pads and even the facial skeleton shrink with age. Surgeons quoted by ASPS warn that removing too much buccal fat may look good now but become overly hollow later, and that a mid-cheek furrow can add a decade or more to perceived age. One said patients could look “too thinned out and prematurely aged” 20 years later.
Most buccal face fat removal regrets come from over-removal, a procedure that didn’t suit the cause of fullness, or a trend-driven decision. Hollowing can sometimes be improved with fat transfer or filler, but the original fat pad can’t be put back. Our celebrity buccal fat guide looks at how trends drive demand.
- Ask for reduction rather than complete removal.
- Look at photos of your parents’ faces at older ages.
- Consider whether a strong jaw muscle or chin fat is the real cause.
- Avoid surgery soon after big weight changes.
Before & after
Typical results show a slimmer lower cheek and more defined cheekbones, appearing gradually over about three months as swelling fades.
In the 2026 Vietnamese study, ultrasound showed fat pad volume fell from about 6.8 mL to 4.8 mL at three months, with average satisfaction of 8.5 out of 10. Our buccal fat removal before and after guide explains what to look for. If you’d rather avoid surgery, see how to slim your cheeks without surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on buccal fat removal cost, permanence, aging, regrets and how long swelling lasts after the procedure.
How much does buccal face fat removal cost?
ASPS reports a 2024 US surgeon-fee range of $3,000 to $5,500. Anaesthesia, facility and follow-up fees may be extra. Insurance doesn’t cover it. Prices in other countries vary, so compare itemized quotes rather than headline prices.
Is buccal fat removal permanent?
Yes. The removed fat doesn’t grow back, though weight gain can make the cheeks fuller again. Because it’s permanent, surgeons advise taking out only part of the fat pad. Lost volume can sometimes be restored with fat transfer or filler, but not exactly replaced.
Does buccal fat removal make you look older?
It can if too much is removed or the wrong person has it. Faces lose fat naturally with age, and surgeons quoted by ASPS warn over-removal can look hollow years later. Conservative reduction in a suitable candidate lowers that risk.
How long does swelling last after buccal fat removal?
Most visible swelling settles over a few weeks, and the final shape usually shows by about three months. In a 2026 study, results were measured at three months. Plan about five days off work and a soft diet for the first days.
What do people regret about buccal fat removal?
Common regrets are a hollow or gaunt look, little visible change because fullness came from another cause, or choosing it to follow a trend. Asking for partial reduction and a careful face analysis before surgery helps avoid these.
Guides in this series
Explore results, men’s and Asian-face considerations, the celebrity trend and non-surgical options in detail.
- Before and after: round face results
- Buccal fat removal for men
- Considerations for Asian faces
- Celebrity rumours and the trend explained
- Slimming cheeks without surgery
If you’d like an honest assessment of what’s causing your cheek fullness, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- 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
- 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
- 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. plasticsurgery.org
