Can Buccal Fat Removal Make Your Face Look Older?

Buccal fat removal can make some faces look more defined, but it can also create a hollow or gaunt appearance when the wrong patient loses too much cheek volume. Your facial shape and the way your face may age deserve careful consideration before surgery.

At Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, we won’t recommend cheek reduction just because of a trending look. Dr. Benjamin C. Stong considers your cheek fullness, bone structure, skin quality, age, and facial balance before discussing whether buccal fat removal aligns with your goals.

Why Can Buccal Fat Removal Affect How You Age?

Buccal fat pads sit deep in your lower cheeks and can be different sizes from person to person. Removing some of this fat can bring out your cheekbones and reduce fullness in your lower cheeks.

Faces naturally lose volume as you age. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons cautions that buccal fat removal usually isn’t recommended for people with thin or narrow faces, since it can make the face look even more hollow over time. It’s important to plan carefully and only remove what’s right for your features.

Who May Be a Good Candidate?

You may want to talk about buccal fat removal if your lower cheeks stay full even when your weight is stable.

During your consultation, we’ll look for:

• Fullness centered in the buccal fat pad area
• Adequate cheekbone and midface support
• A face that isn’t already narrow or hollow
• Stable health and a clear understanding of surgical risks
• Goals based on your features rather than a temporary trend

The National Library of Medicine notes that an ideal aesthetic candidate has pronounced cheek fullness that hides otherwise prominent cheekbones. It also warns that removing buccal fat in patients with underdeveloped cheek projection can create a hollowed look.

What Happens During Buccal Fat Removal?

For buccal fat removal at Kalos, Dr. Stong reaches the fat pad through small incisions inside the mouth. This intraoral approach avoids an incision on the outside of your cheek.

He removes only the amount that fits the planned contour rather than treating every full cheek the same way. The buccal fat pad sits near facial nerve branches and the parotid duct, so detailed knowledge of facial anatomy is important.

When Might Another Approach Fit Better?

Buccal fat removal doesn’t address every reason your face might look round. Your facial width can come from bone structure, muscle, superficial fat, loose skin, or how your cheeks and chin relate to each other.

If your face is already lean, your cheekbones don’t have much support, or you expect to lose weight in the future, removing cheek fat may not give you the results you’re after. We may suggest keeping your buccal fat or looking at other facial contouring options.

FAQs About Buccal Fat Removal

Will buccal fat removal slim my whole face?

No, buccal fat removal only changes fullness in your lower cheeks. Your bone structure, muscle, other facial fat, skin quality, and chin shape still play a big role in how wide or round your face looks.

Does buccal fat grow back after removal?

The fat that’s removed doesn’t grow back. Your face can still change as you age, gain or lose weight, or as other areas of facial fat shift.

Discuss Buccal Fat Removal in Atlanta

If you’re curious whether buccal fat removal can help define your facial contours without making your cheeks look too hollow, schedule a consultation at Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery in Buckhead. Dr. Stong will look at your facial structure and talk through whether cheek reduction or another option fits your goals.