If you’ve ever felt like your round cheeks hide your bone structure or give you a baby-faced look, buccal fat removal could be the solution you’re looking for. This popular facial contouring procedure gently reduces volume in the lower cheeks, creating a more sculpted, defined look with no visible scarring and minimal downtime. At Vegas Plastic Surgery Institute, our board-certified plastic surgeons use precision and artistry to highlight your natural bone structure while preserving balance in your overall appearance.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal removes a pocket of fat in your mid-face called the buccal fat pad. This area sits between your cheekbones and jawline. If you naturally carry more fat in this area, your face might appear fuller or “baby-faced,” even if you’re at a healthy weight. This procedure refines your cheeks and enhances your facial contours.

Why Buccal Fat Removal Is in the Spotlight

Buccal fat removal has gained attention in recent years thanks to a wave of celebrity transformations and social media buzz. While some stars have openly shared their cosmetic journeys, others have sparked curiosity with noticeably slimmer cheeks. This growing visibility has inspired more people to explore the procedure as a way to enhance their natural features and achieve a more sculpted look.

At VPSI, we’re here to help you make informed, confident decisions about your appearance, whether you’re feeling inspired or simply want to feel more aligned with your facial aesthetic.

Buccal Fat Removal Benefits

If you want a more contoured facial appearance, buccal fat removal offers several benefits:

  • Permanent Results: Once removed, buccal fat pads don’t grow back.
  • Enhance Cheekbone Definition: Highlight your cheekbones and create a more sculpted, angular look.
  • Balance Facial Features: Slim your lower face to bring better proportion to your natural features.
  • Minimally Invasive: Your plastic surgeon makes small incisions inside your mouth, so there are no visible scars.

Best Buccal Fat Removal Candidates

 You may be a good candidate if:

  • You feel your cheeks look overly full or rounded.
  • You’re in good overall health and at a stable weight.
  • You want a more contoured facial shape and have realistic expectations.

If you’re looking for additional facial refinement, you might consider pairing buccal fat removal with a facelift or chin liposuction for even more defined results. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will assess your facial structure and help you determine the best approach to achieve your goals.

What to Expect from Your Buccal Fat Removal Experience

On the day of your procedure, your plastic surgeon will make small, intraoral incisions (inside the cheeks) to avoid visible scarring. Using delicate dissection techniques, your doctor will carefully locate and remove the buccal fat pad while preserving surrounding structures like the facial nerve and parotid duct. The incisions are then closed with dissolvable sutures.

The procedure typically takes 30 to 60 minutes and can be performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and overall surgical plan. 

Meet Our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons

At VPSI, our surgeons distinguish themselves by their excellent technical skills and artistic eye. Both Dr. Brosious and Dr. Goldman have the versatile experience that allows them to say “yes” to nearly every patient who walks through the door. 

Dr. John Brosious is a full-scope plastic and reconstructive surgeon offering head-to-toe surgeries. His background includes experience in Level I Trauma centers and academic institutions, equipping him to take on the most advanced reconstruction cases. Dr. Brosious performs over 200 chest surgeries a year for both transfeminine and transmasculine patients, and he is also the only surgeon in Nevada performing male to female genital gender affirmation surgery. 

Likewise, Dr. Joshua Goldman is a comprehensive plastic and reconstructive surgeon, well-known in the breast cancer community for his specialization in breast microsurgery. He single-handedly has the highest number of microsurgery cases in the State of Nevada and has been named by Vegas Inc’s Las Vegas Weekly as “Las Vegas 40 Under 40” and a “2021 Top Doctor.” 

To Dr. Brosious and Dr. Goldman, you are family, and they are here to help guide you through your journey to enhance your natural beauty.

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Meet the Doctor Widget Logos - Dr. Goldman
Meet the Doctor Widget Logos - Dr. Brosious

Josh Goldman, MD

ABOUT DR. GOldman

John Brosious, MD

ABOUT DR. Brosious

Your Recovery After Buccal Fat Removal

You’ll likely experience mild swelling, soreness, or tightness in your cheeks for a few days. We’ll provide detailed post-op care instructions, including sticking to soft foods at first. Most patients return to work and normal activities within 3 to 5 days.

As the swelling goes down, you’ll gradually see your final results over the next few weeks.

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Buccal Fat Removal FAQs

Initial recovery takes about 3 to 5 days, with most patients returning to work within a week. Final results typically appear within 3 months as swelling fully subsides.

Not necessarily. If you already have a thinner or narrower face, removing buccal fat can lead to a hollowed appearance as you age. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate whether this procedure suits your long-term aesthetic goals.

When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, buccal fat removal is generally considered a safe procedure. Complications are rare and minimized with proper surgical technique and post-op care.

No, once the buccal fat pads are removed, they do not regenerate. However, your facial appearance may still change naturally with aging or weight fluctuations.

Yes. Many patients combine it with facelift surgery, chin liposuction, or filler treatments to enhance facial definition and balance.

Buccal fat removal targets a specific fat pad deep in the cheeks. Facial liposuction, on the other hand, typically focuses on subcutaneous fat under the chin or along the jawline.

Ready to Feel Like the Best Version of Yourself?

Vegas Plastic Surgery Institute is a full-scope plastic and reconstructive surgery practice, offering both head-to-toe reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. Our doctors and team abide by uncompromising standards to provide you with a high level of care and a positive experience in a judgment-free zone. Schedule a facelift consultation at our Las Vegas office today at (702) 727-8500.