Buccal fat pads are the pads of fat that augment the lower part of the cheeks. Some patients feel their buccal fat pads are too large, creating “chubby cheeks,” or a “chipmunk cheek” effect. The “chubby cheek” look can result from a variety of conditions. Being overweight is one condition, while a genetic predisposition can also cause one to have rounder cheeks with larger buccal fat pads.
Personalized Contouring: The Role of Buccal Fat Pad Reduction
Buccal fat pad removal, also called cheek reduction surgery, offers an effective solution to those who want to reduce the size of their cheeks. Removal or reduction of these fat pads can create a more chiseled or refined facial contour.
The Procedure
Buccal fat removal is a fairly simple yet effective procedure. As a top plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, Dr. Repta will carefully and gently remove part of both the left and right buccal fat pad via a small incision inside of the mouth. As this procedure is an intraoral procedure, you are left with no visible scarring, making this an appealing option for many patients. Once the buccal fat pad is removed, the area beneath the cheekbones becomes less full, creating that highly sought-after chiseled cheekbone appearance.
Are You a Candidate?
Patients who are unhappy with the way their cheeks look or who have any of the following conditions may be good candidates for buccal fat pad removal:
- Chubby looking cheeks despite being at a proper body weight
- “Chipmunk” like cheeks
- Round cherub face despite exercise and diet
- Lack of definition in cheekbones
- Cheek area that looks too plump
Recovery & Healing
After buccal fat pad removal it is common for patients to experience some swelling. Swelling typically lasts 2-3 weeks for most patients. During the first few days following your surgery, you will be on a soft or semi-liquid diet, and you will have to use an antibiotic mouthwash to rinse and spit several times a day to keep the inside of the mouth clean.
Plan on a week to 10 days of recovery as the tissues inside the mouth heal much quicker than the skin. Within 2-3 weeks the swelling should be almost or entirely gone and you will begin to see a beautiful contour below the cheekbone.
Provided you do not have excessive weight gain, the results are permanent. Due to its simple nature, no visible scarring and beautiful results, buccal fat pad removal has become one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery today.
What Are the Buccal Fat Pads?
The buccal fat pads are naturally occurring pads of fat located deep within the lower portion of the cheeks. Unlike the fat you can pinch under the skin, buccal fat sits deeper, between the facial muscles, and contributes to the overall shape and fullness of the face.
Everyone has buccal fat pads, but their size varies greatly from person to person. In some individuals, these fat pads are larger or more prominent, creating a rounder or fuller appearance in the lower cheeks. This fullness can persist even in patients who are otherwise thin or physically fit.
Buccal fat pad removal targets only this specific fat compartment. By reducing the size of the buccal fat pads, the lower cheeks appear slimmer, allowing the natural contours of the cheekbones and facial structure to become more visible.
Why Some Faces Hold Buccal Fat More Than Others
The size of the buccal fat pads is largely determined by genetics. This is why some people maintain a round or “chubby cheek” appearance regardless of weight loss, diet, or exercise.
While overall body weight can influence facial fullness to some degree, buccal fat often behaves independently from the rest of the body’s fat. As a result, even patients at a healthy or low body weight may feel their cheeks look overly full or lack definition.
Facial shape, bone structure, and the distribution of fat throughout the face also play a role. Two people of the same height and weight can have very different facial contours depending on how prominent their buccal fat pads are.
Is Buccal Fat Removal Permanent? (And Why That Matters)
Yes—buccal fat removal is considered permanent. Once the buccal fat pads are reduced or removed, they do not grow back. This permanence is one of the reasons careful patient selection and conservative technique are so important. Facial fat naturally decreases with age, and removing excessive buccal fat can lead to excessive hollowness later in life.
For the right patient, permanent reduction of buccal fat can create long-lasting facial balance and definition. For others, especially those with naturally thin faces, removal may not be advisable.
This is why a thorough evaluation with an experienced facial plastic surgeon is essential before proceeding.
What Buccal Fat Removal Can and Cannot Do
Buccal fat removal is designed to subtly refine the lower cheeks and enhance natural facial contours. When performed appropriately, it can:
- Reduce fullness in the lower cheek area
- Improve cheekbone definition
- Create a more sculpted, contoured facial appearance
However, it is important to understand what the procedure does not do:
- It does not tighten loose skin
- It does not replace weight loss
- It does not dramatically change facial structure or bone shape
- It does not contour the jawline or neck
Buccal fat removal is a contouring procedure, not a transformational one. The goal is refinement and balance, not an over-hollowed or unnatural look.
Why Choose Repta Plastic Surgery for Buccal Fat Pad Removal?
Buccal fat pad removal requires expertise in facial anatomy and surgical restraint. Dr. Remus Repta is a board-certified plastic surgeon through the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has completed multiple aesthetic surgery fellowships focused on advanced facial techniques. He has been in active practice of plastic and reconstructive surgery in Scottsdale and Phoenix since 2008, and personally performs every procedure.
Dr. Repta serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery at HonorHealth Osborn and is the Medical Director of multiple accredited surgical centers. His extensive training, leadership roles, and hands-on experience allow him to approach buccal fat removal with precision, customization, and a long-term aesthetic perspective, helping patients achieve refined, natural facial contouring without overcorrection.
