Buccal fat removal is a short procedure that reduces fullness in the lower cheeks by taking out part of the buccal fat pads. The incision is made inside the mouth, so there is no scar on the skin of the face. It is a small operation with a lasting effect, which is why choosing the right candidate matters more than the surgery itself.
Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Korkmaz is a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery based in Muratpaşa, Antalya. He assesses each patient’s facial structure before advising whether buccal fat removal, a different approach or no treatment at all is appropriate.
What is buccal fat removal?
Buccal fat removal, also known as bichectomy or buccal lipectomy, is the partial removal of the buccal fat pads, which are rounded pockets of fat located deep in each cheek. The goal is to reduce roundness in the lower cheek area and create a slightly more contoured face.
The buccal fat pad, sometimes called Bichat’s fat pad after the anatomist who described it, sits between the cheek muscles and below the cheekbone. In some people it is relatively large, giving the face a round or “baby-faced” appearance that does not change with diet or exercise. Removing part of it can soften this fullness.
Buccal fat removal does not tighten skin, reduce jowls or slim the jaw. It only affects fullness that comes from the buccal fat pads themselves.
Who is a suitable candidate for buccal fat removal?
Good candidates are usually adults with genuinely full lower cheeks caused by prominent buccal fat pads, with a stable weight and good general and oral health. Suitability is decided at a face-to-face medical examination.
Because the face naturally loses volume with age, removing fat from a face that is already slim can lead to a hollow or gaunt look in later years. For this reason, the assessment considers not only how your face looks today but how it is likely to age.
| Factors that support suitability | Factors that argue against it |
|---|---|
| Round lower face despite a healthy, stable weight | Already lean or narrow face |
| Fullness clearly located in the mid–lower cheek | Width mainly from the jaw muscles or bone structure |
| Adult whose facial features have matured | Significant volume loss or sagging skin |
| Good oral hygiene, no active dental infection | Planned significant weight loss |
| Realistic expectations of a subtle change | Wish for a dramatic or “sculpted” transformation |
When fullness actually comes from enlarged chewing muscles (masseters), general facial fat or a soft jawline, buccal fat removal will not address the concern. In such cases other options are discussed.
How is buccal fat removal performed?
The operation takes about 30 to 60 minutes and is carried out through the mouth. It is usually performed under local anaesthesia, with sedation if you prefer.
- Preparation – The mouth is cleaned with an antiseptic rinse. Good dental hygiene before surgery reduces the risk of infection.
- Incision – A small incision, around 1–2 cm, is made on the inner surface of each cheek, carefully positioned to protect the opening of the salivary duct.
- Removal – Gentle pressure on the outside of the cheek brings the fat pad forward. Only the portion that protrudes easily is removed, leaving the deeper fat in place.
- Closure – The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches. The same steps are repeated on the other side, aiming for balance between both cheeks.
You can usually go home on the same day once you feel well.
How long is recovery after buccal fat removal?
Most people return to desk work within three to seven days, but swelling takes several weeks to go down and the final contour can take three to six months to show.
| Time after surgery | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Cheeks look swollen, sometimes fuller than before; mild discomfort controlled with medication |
| Days 4–7 | Swelling begins to ease; soft diet continues; follow-up check before flying |
| Weeks 1–2 | Dissolvable stitches loosen and fall out; most normal foods possible |
| Weeks 3–6 | Majority of swelling has resolved; light exercise usually allowed |
| Months 3–6 | Final cheek contour becomes visible |
Practical aftercare
- Rinse your mouth after every meal with the solution provided
- Keep to a soft, lukewarm diet for the first days
- Sleep with your head slightly raised and use cool compresses as advised
- Avoid smoking, as it slows healing inside the mouth
- Avoid strenuous exercise for about two weeks
What are the risks of buccal fat removal?
Serious complications are uncommon, but they can occur. Before surgery, the following risks are discussed with you:
- Swelling, bruising and temporary discomfort when chewing or opening the mouth wide
- Infection inside the mouth, usually treatable with antibiotics
- Bleeding or haematoma
- Asymmetry between the two cheeks
- Over-removal, which can cause hollowness that may become more noticeable with age
- Injury to the parotid (salivary) duct
- Injury to small branches of the facial nerve, which can cause temporary, or rarely lasting, weakness of the smile or cheek movement
- Little or no visible change if the fullness was not caused by the buccal fat pad
The most important long-term consideration is that buccal fat removal cannot be reversed. A cautious, conservative approach helps to reduce the risk of the face looking too hollow in later life.
How does buccal fat removal compare with other cheek-slimming options?
Buccal fat removal is only one of several ways to make the lower face look slimmer, and it helps only when the buccal fat pad is the cause. Identifying the true source of fullness is therefore the first step.
- Weight loss – if the whole face is full because of general body fat, gradual weight loss usually changes the cheeks more evenly than surgery.
- Chewing muscles (masseters) – a wide, square lower face caused by strong jaw muscles needs a different approach; removing buccal fat has little effect on this type of width.
- Liposuction of the jawline or neck – fat lying just under the skin along the jaw or below the chin is treated with fine-cannula liposuction, not by removing the deeper buccal pad.
- Adding definition elsewhere – sometimes a face looks round because the cheekbones or chin lack projection. Adding structure there can make the lower face appear narrower without removing anything.
These options can also be combined. During your examination, your face is assessed at rest, while smiling and while chewing, so that the cause of fullness can be identified and the plan matched to it.
When will I see the result?
The change appears gradually. Swelling hides the result for the first few weeks; a clearer picture usually emerges after one to two months, and the final contour after three to six months. The effect is subtle: the area below the cheekbones looks slightly less round, most noticeably from a three-quarter angle. Buccal fat removal does not alter bone structure or skin quality.
How long do I need to stay in Antalya?
A stay of three to five days in Antalya is usually enough. This covers your examination, the procedure and a follow-up check before you fly. Flying is generally possible within a few days, as the operation is short and does not involve the body.
After returning home, you will continue with the oral care and diet instructions you were given. It can be helpful to inform your GP or dentist that you have had the procedure, and the clinic remains available for questions during your recovery.
Why consider Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Korkmaz?
Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Korkmaz graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 2012 and completed his specialist training at the Antalya Training and Research Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic. He has worked at Isparta City Hospital and Antalya Anadolu Hospital before opening his private practice in Antalya.
His approach to buccal fat removal is selective: if your face is not likely to benefit, or could look gaunt in later years, he will tell you. If you would like a personal assessment, please get in touch with the practice to arrange a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Will people be able to tell I have had buccal fat removal?
Because the incision is inside the mouth, there is no scar on the skin of the face. In the first weeks, swelling makes the cheeks look fuller rather than slimmer. When a conservative amount is removed, the change is usually subtle and gradual, so most people notice a slightly more defined face rather than an obvious operation.
Can buccal fat removal be combined with other procedures?
It is sometimes performed together with procedures such as rhinoplasty, chin or neck contouring, or a lip lift. Combining operations can mean a single recovery period, but it also adds operating time and swelling. Whether a combination makes sense depends on your health and facial proportions, which are assessed at your examination.
Is buccal fat removal suitable for men?
Yes. Men with full lower cheeks caused by prominent buccal fat pads may be suitable. Because a more angular face is often the aim, the assessment focuses on whether fullness comes from the fat pads, the chewing muscles or the jawline itself. Removing fat from a face that is already lean can make it look gaunt, in men and women alike.
What can I eat after buccal fat removal?
For the first few days, choose soft, lukewarm foods such as yoghurt, soups, mashed vegetables and scrambled eggs. Avoid very hot, spicy, crunchy or sticky foods that could irritate the incisions. Rinse your mouth after every meal as instructed. Most people return to a normal diet within about one to two weeks.
Can removed buccal fat grow back?
Removed fat does not regenerate, which is why the procedure is regarded as irreversible. The remaining fat in the face can still change with weight gain or loss. If the cheeks later look too hollow, volume can sometimes be restored with fat transfer or fillers, but this is a correction rather than a true reversal.
Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery · Medical Director, AYT Clinic
This page is for general information only and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, risks and expected results are assessed individually during an examination.