Rejuvenate Your Facial Appearance with Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

Everyone has buccal fat — a naturally occurring fat mass in the hollow area beneath the cheekbone — but some have more pronounced buccal fat pads than others. If you have prominent buccal fat, your face may look fuller and, sometimes, even plump. The bad news is that buccal (pronounced as “buckle”) fat is hereditary and can’t be reduced by diet or exercise.

Buccal fat surgery from Dr. Derek Steinbacher in Guilford, Connecticut, is a reliable procedure to trim and reposition fat to achieve a more chiseled look. When done artfully by our Board-certified plastic surgeon, facial liposuction creates an appearance of perfectly sculpted cheekbones.

What to expect from buccal fat reduction surgery?

Dr. Steinbacher performs this outpatient procedure within 30 minutes. After numbing your cheeks with local anesthesia, we’ll create a small access on the inside of your cheeks to ensure no external scars. Through the incision, we remove and reposition a precise amount of the buccal fat pad. Removing too much buccal fat can result in a gaunt look, so working with an experienced doctor like Dr. Steinbacher is vital for natural and optimal results to last for many years.

After removing the buccal fat, we close the incision with sutures. Buccal fat removal surgery achieves dramatic results, but the procedure is minimally invasive. Many patients resume their everyday activities after a few days.

After surgery, your face may show subtle swelling for about one week. Medications and home remedies like ice packs are enough to control the swelling and any discomfort. Once the swelling dissipates, your facial contours will be more pronounced, making your overall face look slimmer, more defined, and chiseled.

Benefits of buccal fat pad removal

This surgery slims and contours the face, providing sculpted effects that cosmetics create but now with permanent results. Buccal fat excision has numerous benefits, including:

  • Quick and effective treatment
  • Long-lasting results
  • Minimal post-procedure downtime
  • Invisible incisions
  • Many patients only need local anesthesia

Facial liposuction isn’t just for patients looking for a sculpted appearance — aging patients can consider this treatment for facial rejuvenation. The buccal fat pad can droop over time, resulting in a jowly, heavy lower face appearance. Buccal fat removal can give your aging face a much-needed facelift.

Buccal Fat Removal FAQs

What is buccal fat removal? How can it improve my facial appearance?

Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure that targets the lower cheek area to reduce fullness and create a more defined facial structure. By carefully removing fat in the midface, the procedure can emphasize cheekbones and enhance jawline definition. Many patients choose this procedure to achieve a slimmer, more sculpted appearance while maintaining a natural look. It can also help balance facial proportions and provide a subtle refinement that enhances overall facial harmony.

Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal?

The best candidates are healthy adults who have noticeable fullness in the cheeks and desire more facial definition. Candidates should have realistic expectations about the outcome and maintain a stable weight, as large weight fluctuations can impact results. Dr. Steinbacher evaluates each patient’s facial anatomy, skin quality, and overall health during a consultation to determine if buccal fat removal is appropriate and safe.

How is the procedure performed?

The procedure is minimally invasive and performed under local anesthesia, often with optional sedation for comfort. Our team makes small, discreet incisions inside the mouth to access the buccal fat pads. We carefully remove the targeted fat while maintaining balance and symmetry in the face. Because the incisions are inside the mouth, there are no visible scars. The surgery usually takes less than an hour, and patients can go home the same day with proper post-operative instructions.

What is the recovery process like after buccal fat removal?

Recovery is generally straightforward. Mild swelling, slight bruising, or tenderness in the cheeks are common for the first few days and usually improve quickly. Patients are advised to follow a soft-food diet initially and avoid strenuous activity for a short period. Most patients return to normal daily routines within a few days, while results gradually appear as swelling subsides over several weeks. Proper care and following all post-surgical instructions help ensure the best possible outcome.

Are there any risks or complications?

As with any surgery, buccal fat removal carries some potential risks. These can include temporary swelling, minor asymmetry, slight numbness, or infection, although serious complications are uncommon. We use precise surgical techniques and personalized care plans to minimize risk. During your consultation, your dentist reviews potential outcomes, explains safety measures, and answers any questions to make sure patients feel confident and informed before proceeding.

How long do the results last?

The results of buccal fat removal are generally permanent because the removed fat does not grow back. While natural aging and lifestyle changes can still affect overall facial appearance, the enhanced definition of the cheeks and jawline is long-lasting. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle can help preserve the results over time. Some patients may notice subtle changes as their face ages naturally, but the overall contour improvements remain.

How do I schedule a consultation for buccal fat removal?

To learn more about buccal fat removal or schedule a consultation, patients can contact us today! During a consultation, Dr. Steinbacher reviews the procedure, discusses individual goals, examines facial anatomy, and develops a customized treatment plan. His team ensures every patient understands the procedure, recovery process, and expected outcomes, helping them achieve safe, natural, and lasting results.

Buccal fat pad extraction near me

Dr. Derek Steinbacher would be happy to explain more about buccal fat removal during a consultation. Please call (203) 453-6635 or complete our online appointment form to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Derek Steinbacher MD, DMD, FACS

Dr. Derek Steinbacher has devoted his life to aesthetic and life-changing surgery. He is an artistic and meticulous surgeon who draws patients from around the world due to his perspective, unmatched skill, and exceptional results. He is able to uniquely address the face (facelift + rejuvenation), jawline (orthognathic; chin; contouring; implants), nasal (rhinoplasty), eyelids, profile, neck, breast, and body with one-of-a-kind results.

He is a multiple Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Plastic, Cosmetic, and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery. He is Fellow of the most prestigious surgical organizations, including the Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, Societies of Craniofacial and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Aesthetic Society, and the Rhinoplasty Society. He has served as Full-Professor of Plastic Surgery at Yale, including Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Program, and Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Steinbacher has unparalleled training at premier institutions, including Harvard and Johns Hopkins. His perspective brings together the best aspects of many distinct – but related fields – and it is this intersection of scope and expertise, in addition to an artistic eye, which enables excellent comprehensive results.

Dr. Steinbacher's approach: technical acumen, meticulousness, and penchant for combining art and science, together with his eye for balance, beauty, and harmony, helps achieve outcomes that greatly improve a person's confidence, health, and overall quality of life. Patients can trust that they are always in good hands!