Buccal fat removal surgery is a cosmetic surgery intended to make the cheeks thinner in people who wish to have a more contoured, slimmer face with emphasized cheekbones and jawlines. In this procedure, the extra fat pads of the mouth are permanently removed from the cheek cavity.
Buccal fat removal, also known as cheek reduction surgery, is a cosmetic procedure designed to slim and contour the cheeks by selectively removing the buccal fat pads. These fat pads are located in the lower part of the cheeks and contribute to a fuller or rounder facial appearance. During buccal fat removal, a small incision is made inside the mouth, allowing access to the buccal fat pads. The surgeon then carefully removes an appropriate amount of fat to achieve the desired result, taking into consideration the patient’s facial structure and goals. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, and the recovery period is usually relatively short. By reducing the volume of the buccal fat pads, buccal fat removal can create a more sculpted and defined facial contour, enhancing cheekbones and creating a more chiseled appearance. It is important to consult with a skilled plastic surgeon to determine if buccal fat removal is the right option for achieving the desired facial aesthetics.
7 days
1 hour
Local anesthesia
5-7 days
No hospitalization (in most cases)
10 days
A person’s appearance is often judged primarily by their face. Even if the figure is slender and toned, too plump cheeks, a double chin, or excess fat under the skin is often considered undesirable and can give the impression of fullness in the face or visually added age.
This extra fat in the face area is called the buccal fat pad, a rounded mass of fat in the middle of your cheek. It is located between facial muscles in the hollow area beneath your cheekbone.
Everyone has buccal fat pads. However, the size of buccal fat pads can vary greatly. So, if you think you have chubby cheeks (also known as chipmunk cheeks) that bother you, buccal fat removal is a surgical procedure meant to improve the appearance and harmony of your cheeks by removing the buccal fat pad.
Buccal fat removal surgery is quite costly. The cost may drastically range from one country to another. For instance, This surgery costs $5,000 in the U.S., $4,000 in Europe, and $2,700 in Thailand. Whereas the average cost of buccal fat removal in Iran ranges from $700 to $2,000, including all expenses such as medical tests and x-rays, anesthesia, medication, post-procedural care, doctor visit, and the overall clinic fees
Buccal fat removal surgery is a cosmetic surgery intended to make the cheeks thinner in people who wish to have a more contoured, slimmer face with emphasized cheekbones and jawlines.
In this procedure, the extra fat pads of the mouth are permanently removed from the cheek cavity.
Buccal fat removal is NOT for everybody! The ideal candidate for buccal fat removal would be a young person with full cheeks or those who have lost significant weight but still have fat capsules remaining only on their cheeks.
On the other hand, buccal fat removal is not recommended for people who are not overweight or obese. This surgery is also not recommended for those with very little fat because this surgery causes the skin of the cheek area to age and leads to premature sagging of the cheek area.
The procedure may be done in a hospital or a doctor’s office. First, you will be given local anesthesia on your face. Thus, you won’t feel any pain, but you will be awake during the procedure.
Then, your surgeon will make an incision inside your cheek while applying pressure on the outside of your cheek to further expose the buccal fat pad and remove the extra fat. Finally, they will close the wound with dissolvable stitches. The procedure usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Having a buccal fat removal in Iran is considered a wise choice that would save you thousands of dollars. Depending on the surgeon and the hospital/clinic you choose, the average cost of buccal fat removal in Iran ranges from $700 to $2,000, which is very much cheaper than in any other country.
Many patients with chubby or fat cheeks are hesitant to undergo buccal fat pad removal because of a misconception that the surgery will make them look older. This myth is invalid; buccal fat removal can improve your appearance, not age.
The problem is that people with chubby cheeks tend to have poor cheekbone definition, and therefore when the buccal fat removal is performed (alone), they may end up looking older now and, of course, down the road.
Therefore, a successful buccal fat removal would often be accompanied by the analysis of the cheekbone structure and cheekbone enhancement with either soft tissue fillers or cheek implants.
After the procedure, you must follow a liquid diet for several days. You can then progress to soft foods before returning to your regular diet. Soup, overcooked pasta, eggs, and pudding are ideal after removing buccal fat.
The results of buccal fat pad removal are permanent. So, you can rest assured that the fat will not grow again. However, the result takes several months to appear because the wound healing process typically takes several months to a year, and the area formerly used to hold the fat pad will slowly shrink.
Buccal fat removal is generally considered safe. And since the incisions are made on the inside of your mouth, the surgery does not leave any visible scar on your face. However, like all procedures, there might be a risk of unwanted side effects.
Possible complications include changes in sensation, prolonged swelling, nerve damage causing muscle weakness, salivary duct injury, and asymmetry that requires reoperation to restore symmetry.
After the procedure and before going home, you will be given a special mouthwash to prevent infection within your mouth.
Although NO strenuous activity or exercise should be performed for the first two weeks, you may b
