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Some people naturally have fuller cheeks. Even after losing weight, eating healthy, or sculpting their bodies at the gym, that bit of roundness may stick around. It’s one of those things that can bother you a bit in photos or when you see your side profile. Buccal fat removal is a simple, carefully performed procedure that removes a small pocket of fat deep within each cheek, helping to create more definition in your lower face. It is designed to refine your facial shape without changing what makes you look like you. The results are intended to be subtle yet noticeable, creating a slimmer profile while improving your self-confidence every time you see yourself in the mirror.
At Illuminate Plastic Surgery, we’ve seen how making small changes can still bring a big sense of relief. We understand the balance between artistry and restraint, prioritizing each patient’s comfort and aesthetic goals. We perform buccal fat removal surgeries with one goal in mind: delivering satisfying, natural-looking results, making sure every adjustment complements your bone structure and balances your overall proportions.
The buccal fat pad is a small, naturally occurring pocket of fat situated between your cheek hollows and the buccinator muscle. While everyone has them, some fat pads are more prominent than others. These deeper fat deposits can make the lower face appear rounder or broader than it actually is. During buccal fat pad removal, your surgeon makes a small incision inside the mouth to access and carefully remove a precise section of this tissue, minimizing trauma to nearby facial nerves and protecting the salivary duct. Since the opening is internal, there’s no visible scarring, just a refined contour once healing is complete. It’s a safe procedure and one of the most personalized facial contouring options Illuminate provides.
Buccal fat removal surgery enhances definition and harmony, producing a shift that improves your facial features and overall look. Specific benefits include:
The improvement occurs gradually and gently. Over a few weeks, you'll notice the swelling easing, the contours becoming more defined, and your face starting to show a new sense of comfort and confidence.
The best candidates for buccal fat removal are those with naturally fuller cheeks or what’s often called a “baby face.” These are people whose buccal fat pads are simply disproportionate to their bone structure. You may be a good candidate if you:
Your Illuminate care team will also review your medical history to ensure nothing is preventing you from being eligible, such as certain medications, prior facial trauma, or conditions affecting healing. If you’re older or have naturally thin skin, your surgeon may suggest combining this treatment with volume-restoring options such as fillers or fat grafting to maintain facial balance over time.
Every buccal fat removal procedure begins with a one-on-one consultation at our Palo Alto or San Jose location. You’ll meet with your surgeon to discuss your facial shape, review your options, and design a personalized plan that suits your features.
During your consultation, we’ll review your facial proportions together, talk through how the fat removal would be performed, and review photos of similar results. In the days before surgery, you might be asked to stop certain medications or supplements that could increase bruising. Maintaining good oral hygiene helps prevent infection. Most patients find the preparation process to be quite simple and straightforward.
Buccal fat removal surgery is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes less than an hour. You’ll be comfortably seated in the procedure suite, fully awake but relaxed.
Once the area is numb, your surgeon makes a small incision inside your mouth, near the upper molars. Through that opening, the buccal fat pad is carefully identified and reduced. Only a portion of the fat is removed, just enough to slim the area while preserving the natural softness that gives your face character. Our surgeons use gentle techniques to protect nearby facial nerves and avoid injury to the salivary ducts, ensuring a safe, balanced outcome. The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures, so it doesn't need to be removed later. Since everything is done internally, there is no external scar to heal or hide. After a brief observation period, you’ll go home to rest and begin your recovery.
Recovery from buccal fat pad removal is typically smooth. Most patients experience mild swelling or tightness for the first few days. You’ll rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to keep the incision sites clean and avoid infection, and we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. As you recover, you’ll follow a liquid diet or stick to soft foods, gradually easing back into regular meals. Soups will be your best friends in the beginning. Most people are comfortable returning to normal activities within a few days, though we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise until cleared.
Visible improvements develop gradually. About three weeks after your procedure, your face appears more sculpted, the cheeks are slimmer, and the final results start to settle in. The contours continue to refine over several weeks as the swelling subsides. Once healed, your results are permanent. The removed fat pads do not grow back, and maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your refined shape. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to ensure healing is progressing and that you’re happy with your outcome.
At Illuminate, the cost of buccal fat removal surgery varies. Each treatment is fully customized, and your consultation includes a detailed estimate and explanation of what’s covered. We want everyone to feel completely comfortable in their own skin, and we don't want prices to hold you back from your best self. That’s why we offer financing options and payment plans to make it easier to access our services.
Our reputation as a top aesthetic care provider in Silicon Valley is built on delivering natural-looking results and ensuring our patients have a smooth, enjoyable experience from start to finish. We combine an advanced surgical practice with the warmth of a medspa. Each member of our care team has been selected for their expertise, compassion, and commitment to communication. Our surgeons are board-certified, our facilities are AAAASF-accredited, and our team conducts every surgical procedure with honesty and precision so you can make the most informed decisions possible. Patients trust us because they can genuinely feel it—the caring, the attention, and the dedicated follow-up. Whether it’s your very first consultation or a follow-up months down the line, we make sure you’re treated with the kindness and respect you deserve, always seen as the person you are, not just a case.
Your best features are already amazing; they just deserve the right care to shine even more. If you’ve been thinking about whether buccal fat removal could bring more balance to your features, we’d be happy to talk with you. You can meet our team in Palo Alto or San Jose for a relaxed, informative consultation. We're here to listen, answer any questions you have, and explore all the possibilities together.
Illuminate Plastic Surgery
Palo Alto | (650) 433-8621
San Jose | (408) 369-9300
Yes, it’s a safe procedure with a low risk of complications. Our expert, board-certified surgeons operate in facilities that are accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF). This accreditation is considered the "gold standard" for patient safety in outpatient surgical settings.
No. Once the fat pads are removed, they do not grow back, which is why we take the time to answer all your questions and set expectations.
Not when done conservatively. Our surgeons remove only enough fat to enhance your shape without causing hollowness or premature aging.
Discomfort is minimal. Most patients experience mild soreness or pressure for a few days, which can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications.
Pricing varies by case, but your consultation will include a clear estimate that covers surgical, facility, and anesthesia fees.
At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.
