Some of us are genetically predisposed to having more fat in our cheeks, and while a fuller, plumper face can often make us look younger, as we age chubby cheeks become less and less cute. For some people plump cheeks can be a nuisance and can affect their self-confidence. If you’re unhappy with your full, round face, a buccal fat removal (or cheek fat removal) procedure can create contour in your face by exposing more defined cheekbones and forming a more chiseled profile. 

What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Most people have a natural pad of fat that sits just underneath the cheek hollow. This pad of fat varies in size from person to person. Buccal fat removal excises this pad of fat in order to thin out the inner cheek, slimming the face and giving it a more pronounced profile.

The Buccal Fat Removal Procedure

Buccal fat removal is performed at our state-of-the-art facility at The Plastic Surgery Clinic in Mississauga by one of our expert surgeons Dr. Lista, Dr. Ahmad or Dr. Austin.

Dr. Lista, Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Austin are world authorities on buccal fat removal surgery.  They are asked to speak at international conferences around the world where they lecture to large groups of plastic surgeons who want to learn more about this aesthetic procedure. They have also published extensively on the topic of buccal fat removal surgery and are recognized as experts because of the many scientific journal articles and book chapters in medical textbooks they have written.

The buccal fat removal procedure takes approximately 1 hour and is performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision on the inside of your mouth, between your upper molars and your inner cheek. Once the incision is made your surgeon will apply pressure to the outside of your cheek in order to push out the buccal fat through the incision. The buccal fat pad is slowly removed little by little; once completed this same process is repeated on your other cheek. Your surgeon will conclude the surgery by stitching up both incisions.

If you are considering this important surgery please explore the links on the left to learn more. If you have more questions about whether buccal fat removal is for you, please contact us at [email protected] to set up a complimentary consultation with Dr. Lista, Dr. Ahmad or Dr. Austin.

The Best Candidates for Cheek Fat Removal

The best candidates for buccal fat removal are typically those who are over 18 years of age in order to ensure that the face has fully developed. Candidates have naturally soft and filled out cheeks, who are bothered by the extra fat in the area. Buccal fat removal is typically not performed on already thin faces, as the removal of the buccal fat pad could cause a thin face to sag and look gaunt.

Candidates for buccal fat removal should be at a stable weight and physically healthy, and should be non-smokers. They should also have realistic expectations as to what the procedure can do for them. Buccal fat removal may enhance the contours of your face and make it look thinner, but will not drastically change your appearance.

Before you decide to have surgery, we encourage you to think carefully about why you might want buccal fat removal and about the result that you are looking to achieve. We also encourage you to discuss your goals with one of our experienced surgeons. Dr. Lista, Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Austin are extremely sensitive and understanding of the fact that your cheeks are important features on your face and define the way you present yourself to others. They will spend as much time as you need to in order to fully understand your goals. They might ask you to describe your ideal look or even to bring in pictures of faces that you like.

Preparing for Cheek Fat Removal

In order to achieve the best result possible, your surgeon will instruct you on how to effectively prepare for your upcoming surgery. You may receive specific guidelines on eating, drinking and taking certain vitamins prior to your surgery.

You may also be asked to avoid taking aspirin, and to discontinue any anti-inflammatory drugs or herbal supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding.

Smokers will be asked to stop smoking for a minimum of one month before surgery and one month after. Smoking decreases circulation and greatly interferes with proper healing.

Recovering After Cheek Fat Removal

Following your buccal fat removal surgery you will need to arrange for a family member or friend to pick you up and stay with you at home for 24 hours.

You will need to take one week off work to recover from your surgery. Your surgeon will most likely recommend that you stay on a liquid diet for several days. You should be able to return to your regular routine after one week but you should not do any heavy lifting, including weight training or intense workouts such as running for 4 weeks.

Your recovery will be carefully monitored by your surgeon as well as by our team of nurses and staff. In addition to your regularly scheduled follow up appointments with us, we are on call 24 hours a day if you have any questions or concerns.

Buccal Fat Removal Risks & Complications

The risks and complications of buccal fat removal are rare and minor when the surgical procedure is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. That said, everyone is different, and each person reacts differently to the recovery process.

Complications that may occur as a result of buccal fat removal include: infection or bleeding, poor healing of the incisions, hematoma, injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (these are typically temporary), adverse reactions to the anesthesia, numbness, prolonged swelling, fluid build-up, and injury to a salivary duct.

It is very important to carefully follow the post-operative guidelines that your surgeon provides for you in order to minimize the risk of complications and to ensure a speedy recovery as well as the best possible results.

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost?

The actual cost of buccal fat removal is dependent on the specifics of each individual’s needs and surgery requirements. This is why the cost of your surgery and a firm quote can only be determined upon an in person consultation with your surgeon.

Our consultations are always free because we want to make sure that you feel no financial pressure to commit to surgery. There is no obligation to register for surgery after your consultation, and if you need more time to think it over and come see us again, you’re welcome to return for another consult.

We also offer a variety of financing and payment options in order to help you achieve your goals.

To find out more, please contact us by phone or e-mail or by filling out the Request for Information form below.