Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal?

The best candidates have genuine lower-cheek fullness and a facial structure suited to subtle refinement. It is a selective procedure, and not every face benefits — careful candidacy is essential.

What is recovery like after buccal fat removal?

Swelling typically eases over a couple of weeks, depending on the patient, with final contour refining as it settles. You receive clear aftercare and attentive follow-up.

How is cheek contour evaluated?

Cheek contour is assessed in the context of the whole face during a personalized facial analysis, so any refinement supports overall balance rather than treating one feature in isolation.

Cheek-focused portrait for the buccal fat removal page at Plastic Surgery of Austin

Selective Cheek Refinement

Buccal Fat Removal in Austin

Buccal fat removal refines fullness in the lower cheeks to bring out facial contour — but only for carefully selected patients. Dr. Kaimana Chow approaches it conservatively, because not every face benefits, and over-resection can look hollow over time. For the right candidate across the Austin area, it can subtly enhance midface balance.

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Overview

A selective, balanced refinement

Buccal fat removal is one of the most selective facial procedures. In the right patient, refining lower-cheek fullness can enhance contour and balance — but careful candidacy is essential, because not every face benefits and restraint matters.

Lower-Cheek Fullness

Excess fullness in the lower cheeks may be refined for a more sculpted midface.

Careful Selection

Candidacy is evaluated conservatively — not every face benefits from this procedure.

Facial Balance

The goal is subtle contour and balance, not dramatic hollowing.

Restraint Over Time

Conservative removal helps protect against an over-resected, hollow look as the face matures.

At a Glance

Procedure Snapshot

This procedure centers on refinement of lower-cheek (buccal) fullness, planned around your individual anatomy and goals.

What is buccal fat removal?

Dr. Chow and the Plastic Surgery of Austin team specializes in precision facial contouring procedures, including buccal fat removal. This surgery is designed to target and remove excess buccal fat pads from the cheeks. With a focus on enhancing our patients' confidence, our team of experienced plastic surgeons are pioneers in the field of facial sculpting.

Buccal fat removal is an ideal option for individuals looking to emphasize their cheekbones and achieve a more slender facial profile. Dr. Chow possess a deep understanding of the intricacies of buccal fat removal and are committed to creating personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique goals.

How does buccal fat removal work?

In order to achieve a sculpted and slender look to the face, the excess buccal fat pad is most often surgically removed. By removing the extra buccal fat, the cheekbones can appear higher and well-contoured. Buccal fat is often genetic, varies in size between the right and the left cheek, and can’t be corrected by diet or exercise.

Buccal fat removal is typically performed under local anesthesia in under an hour. Two small incisions will be made inside the mouth where the excess fat is safely removed, leaving no visible scars on the outside of the face.

Buccal fat removal in Austin is a low risk procedure, with most patients experiencing only mild pain for the first few days. The majority of swelling is evident during the first week following surgery. As the incisions are made with two dissolvable stitches inside the mouth and during the period of recovery, soft food such as smoothies is recommended.

Buccal fat removal recovery

Buccal Fat Removal with Dr. Chow

The buccal fat removal procedure typically takes less than an hour and is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Initially, Dr. Chow will mark specific locations on your lower cheeks where fat will be removed, using a surgical pen. Local anesthesia, similar to what's used in dental procedures, will be administered to numb your mouth. Although you will be awake during the procedure, you will remain comfortable throughout.

Next, a tiny incision is made inside the cheek, completely concealed from view. Depending on the amount of buccal fat to be removed, either the buccal fat pads are extracted or a precise portion is removed. The residual fat tissue is then cauterized, and sutures are placed.

Buccal fat removal is a low risk procedure, with most patients experiencing only mild pain for the first few days. The majority of swelling is evident during the first week following surgery. As the incisions are made with two dissolvable stitches inside the mouth and during the period of recovery, soft food such as smoothies is recommended.

Who is a good candidate for a buccal fat removal?

The buccal fat removal treatment, which narrows round features, is sometimes carried out concurrently with a facelift, rhinoplasty, or chin implant. Candidates for surgery should be in generally good health and have reasonable expectations of their outcomes.

However, not everyone may find Buccal Fat Removal to be the best option. For instance, if you have a narrow face, Parry-Romberg syndrome (a rare skin problem), or you are already losing volume as you age, this procedure is not a possibility for you. Nevertheless, your surgeon will evaluate your facial concerns during your visit and explain your options.

Clients looking for best facelift in Austin should exhibit the following qualities:

Who Is a Good Candidate

Buccal fat removal is highly selective. The best candidates have genuine lower-cheek fullness and a facial structure that would benefit from subtle refinement. Many faces do not benefit, and Dr. Chow will say so when that is the case — careful candidacy is the most important part of planning.

Why Restraint Matters

Removing too much buccal fat can lead to an over-hollowed look that may become more pronounced with age. A conservative approach protects facial balance over time, prioritizing a natural, sculpted result rather than an extreme change.

Refinement Within Facial Balance

Cheek contour is evaluated in the context of the whole face. In some patients, lower-face or profile balance is better served by other procedures, such as a facelift planning approach — which is part of why a thorough facial analysis comes first.

Considerations