Buccal Fat Removal
Cleveland | Columbus | Pittsburgh | Detroit | Cincinnati
At Wick Facial Plastics, buccal fat removal is approached with artistry and precision to subtly refine your natural features. By carefully reducing fullness in the lower cheeks, Dr. Elizabeth Wick enhances facial definition and highlights the cheekbones for a sculpted, balanced look. This minimally invasive procedure is designed to bring out your innate bone structure—creating elegant, natural-looking contours without altering your unique expression.
Buccal fat removal is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery that reduces fullness in the lower cheeks, enhancing facial definition and contour. The procedure targets the buccal fat pads—naturally occurring fat deposits located between the cheekbones and jaw—creating a more sculpted, refined appearance. When performed by a facial plastic surgeon, buccal fat removal can balance facial proportions and highlight the cheekbones with natural-looking results.
This procedure is popular among individuals with rounder or fuller faces who want to enhance their bone structure without undergoing major surgery.
Before + after resultsUnlock Your Potential, Enhance Your Confidence
Goals of Buccal Fat Removal
Patients choose buccal fat pad excision to:
- Slim the mid-to-lower face
- Create a more contoured, V-shaped facial profile
- Enhance natural cheekbone definition
- Reduce the appearance of “baby face” fullness in adults
- Achieve a more sculpted, camera-ready look
It’s often paired with complementary procedures such as chin augmentation, fat grafting, or facelift surgery for a fully harmonized aesthetic.
Recovery &
Results
Recovery & Results
Day 1–3
Mild swelling and tenderness; liquid or soft diet recommended
Week 1
Most patients return to work and light activities
Week 2–3
Swelling continues to subside; early definition begins to show
Months 1–3
Final facial contour gradually reveals as swelling resolves
What to Expect
Buccal fat removal is an outpatient procedure typically performed under local anesthesia or light sedation. The surgeon makes a small incision inside each cheek, gently removes a precise amount of fat, and closes the incision with dissolvable stitches. There are no visible external scars.
Results are long-lasting and improve as facial tissues settle. Scarring is invisible as the incision is hidden inside the mouth.
Common Questions
Is buccal fat removal permanent?
Yes. Once removed, buccal fat pads do not regenerate. However, significant weight changes may affect overall facial fullness.
Am I a good candidate?
Ideal candidates are healthy, non-smoking adults with a combination of prominent cheekbones masked by full cheeks or round faces seeking enhanced definition. A consultation is necessary to assess your facial anatomy and long-term goals. Controversy exists regarding the risk of premature aging, however, this is not an issue for appropriately chosen patients with this combination of attributes.
Will my face look gaunt over time?
In the right patient, buccal fat removal enhances facial harmony. Over-removal can create a hollow look in patients who have otherwise small cheekbones. Developing a gaunt appearance is not a concern in appropriately chosen patients. This is why surgeon expertise and careful assessment are critical.
Can I combine this with other procedures?
Yes. Buccal fat removal is often combined with facial fat grafting, chin implants, neck contouring, or facelift surgery for comprehensive rejuvenation and contouring.
What is the cost of buccal fat removal?
The average cost for buccal fat removal ranges from $3,500 to $6,000, depending on whether it’s combined with other facial procedures and the need for anesthesia.
Dr. Wick’s team provides a personalized quote during your consultation.
Refine Your Facial Structure + Discover Your True Confidence
Well-contoured facial structure imparts youth and vitality. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Wick in Cleveland, OH to experience a tailored, artful approach to creating a more sculpted, confident you.