If your cheeks remain naturally full despite maintaining a stable weight, you may be curious whether buccal fat removal could create a slimmer, more defined facial shape. This procedure reduces fat from the lower cheeks, but it is not appropriate for every face.
As the founder and lead physician of Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Keith Ladner focuses exclusively on cosmetic facial procedures and evaluates how cheek volume affects the entire face before recommending treatment. His specialized approach helps patients in Denver, CO, and Beverly Hills, CA, determine whether buccal fat removal can support their goals while preserving natural balance.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
The buccal fat pads are naturally occurring pockets of fat located deep within the lower cheeks. Everyone has them, but their size and appearance vary. Larger buccal fat pads can give the lower face a rounder or fuller look, even in patients who are otherwise lean.
Buccal fat removal reduces this fat to create more definition between the cheekbones and jawline. The goal is a subtle contour that complements the patient’s bone structure rather than a hollow appearance.
How Is Buccal Fat Removal Performed?
Buccal fat removal is typically performed through small incisions inside the mouth, leaving no visible external scars. Depending on the patient’s facial structure and goals, Dr. Ladner may recommend partial removal to preserve more cheek volume or fuller removal to create greater definition in carefully selected patients.
Because facial symmetry and fat distribution vary, the procedure must be customized. Dr. Ladner’s double board certification in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery helps him determine how much fat to remove without creating an overly hollow look.
Patients can expect temporary swelling and tenderness, and a soft-food diet may be recommended while the incisions heal. Final results develop gradually as swelling subsides.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients who are physically healthy, maintain a stable weight, and are bothered by naturally full cheeks may be good candidates for buccal fat removal.
Potential candidates generally:
- Have naturally prominent buccal fat pads
- Maintain a stable, healthy weight
- Do not have an already thin or narrow face
- Are nonsmokers or willing to stop smoking
- Have realistic expectations
Dr. Ladner also considers the patient’s age, skin quality, cheekbone structure, and how facial volume may change over time.
Could Buccal Fat Removal Make the Face Look Too Hollow?
Removing too much buccal fat can create a gaunt or prematurely aged appearance, particularly as the face naturally loses volume. Patients with narrow faces or limited cheek fullness may not benefit from the procedure.
Dr. Ladner evaluates whether lower-cheek fullness is truly caused by the buccal fat pads or whether another treatment would create a more flattering result. His goal is to improve definition without sacrificing the volume that helps the face look healthy and youthful.
What Results Can Patients Expect?
Buccal fat removal can create a slimmer lower face, greater cheekbone definition, and a more sculpted transition toward the jawline. Results appear gradually as swelling resolves and the tissues settle.
The outcome is considered long-lasting, although future weight changes and aging can still affect facial contours. Patients can view the Before & After Gallery to see how Dr. Ladner approaches facial contouring while maintaining balanced, natural-looking features.
Explore Buccal Fat Removal in Denver, CO, & Beverly Hills, CA
Buccal fat removal may help refine naturally full cheeks, but careful patient selection and conservative treatment are essential. Dr. Keith Ladner considers both the desired result and how the face is likely to change over time before recommending surgery.
Contact Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery at 213-457-7740 to schedule a consultation and learn whether buccal fat removal is right for you in Denver, CO, or Beverly Hills, CA.
