Buccal Fat Removal
For many individuals, a "baby-faced" appearance or overly rounded cheeks persists despite diet and exercise, often due to the size of the buccal fat pads. Dr. Noah Sands offers buccal fat removal as a safe option for patients seeking to transition from a soft, feminine aesthetic to a more chiseled, high-fashion look.
By applying his double board-certified surgical expertise, Dr. Sands ensures the removal is conservative and strategic, avoiding the "hollowed" look that can occur with less-experienced providers. His goal is to provide a subtle, elegant shadow that enhances your natural bone structure.
Reduce "chipmunk cheeks" and enhance cheekbone and jawline definition
Local anesthesia or local with twilight sedation
Typically 30 to 60 minutes
3 to 5 days; no external incisions or visible scars
Buccal fat removal is a permanent surgical procedure that involves the extraction of a portion of the buccal fat pad (a specialized mass of fat) located in the hollow area beneath the cheekbones. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which sits just beneath the skin, the buccal fat pad is located deep within the facial musculature.
The purpose of the procedure is to narrow the lower third of the face. By removing this internal volume, the skin shrinks more closely to the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) and the mandible (jawline). At our Beverly Hills practice, Dr. Sands utilizes a refined intraoral technique. Because the access point is through a small incision inside the mouth, there is no external evidence of surgery, making it a distinguished choice for patients who prioritize discretion.
The buccal fat removal experience at Dr. Sands’ Roxbury Drive suite is designed to be efficient and comfortable. The procedure is most commonly performed under local anesthesia, though sedation is available for total relaxation. Dr. Sands begins by making a small, 1-2 cm incision on the inside of the cheek, near the upper molars.
Through this internal window, he gently teases out the appropriate amount of buccal fat. The key to the Sands standard is the ‘conservative harvest’; Dr. Sands removes only the amount of fat necessary to create a shadow, ensuring that the face remains balanced as it ages naturally. Once the fat is removed, the incision is closed with a few dissolvable sutures. The entire process takes less than an hour, and patients can return home immediately.
This procedure is specifically designed for structural mid-face concerns that cannot be resolved through weight loss alone. By reducing internal volume, the treatment treats:
The primary target is the "hollow" of the cheek. While the surgery focuses on this specific fat pad, the results create a global improvement in the appearance of the cheekbones and the sharpness of the jawline, providing a more "V-shaped" facial contour.
The primary benefit of this procedure is a permanent, maintenance-free refinement of the facial structure. Patients enjoy a more "camera-ready" look that mimics the effect of high-end contouring makeup. Because the incision is entirely internal, there is no risk of visible scarring. Furthermore, the results are permanent; once the buccal fat cells are removed, they do not grow back, providing a lifetime of enhanced definition.
Ideal candidates are adults with persistent fullness in the lower cheeks who have reached their goal weight. It is a distinguished choice for those with naturally round or "square" faces who desire a more oval or heart-shaped profile.
Dr. Sands is particularly fastidious about candidacy; he generally advises against the procedure for patients with naturally thin faces or those who may be prone to premature hollowing. A detailed facial analysis in our Beverly Hills office is the first step in ensuring a natural, age-appropriate result.
Recovery is remarkably straightforward. Because the incisions are inside the mouth, you will follow a liquid or soft-food diet for the first few days to prevent irritation. Swelling is common and can make the cheeks appear fuller for the first 48 hours, after which it begins to subside. Most patients return to work within 3 to 5 days. Dr. Sands recommends avoiding strenuous exercise for one week and maintaining a disciplined oral hygiene routine with specialized rinses during the healing phase.
While the fat is gone immediately, the final results are not instantaneous. As the internal swelling resolves and the skin adapts to the new, lower-volume contour, the definition becomes increasingly apparent. Most patients see the initial "shadow" emerge at 3 weeks, with the final, chiseled result fully visible at 3 to 4 months. The outcome is a sophisticated, permanent enhancement of the facial planes that ages gracefully with the patient.
Dr. Noah Sands treats buccal fat removal with the precision of a reconstructive artist. With a decade of academic leadership at Mount Sinai, he has an elite understanding of the deep facial compartments and the branches of the facial nerve. He understands that in the mid-face, less is more. Choosing Dr. Sands means trusting a double board-certified specialist who prioritizes long-term facial volume and results distinguished by subtle, natural elegance.
This is the most common concern with this procedure. Dr. Sands performs a conservative removal, specifically leaving enough volume to ensure you age naturally. He will only recommend the procedure if your facial structure can support the results long-term.
Under local anesthesia, you will feel no pain, only slight pressure. Post-operatively, the cheeks may feel "tight" or tender, similar to the feeling after dental work, but this is easily managed with standard care.
Yes. Buccal fat removal is frequently paired with jawline filler, a chin implant, or a neck lift to achieve a total transformation of the facial profile.
No. The entire procedure is performed through small incisions inside the mouth. There is no external surgical footprint.
The amount varies per patient, but it is typically about the size of a walnut or a large grape from each side. Dr. Sands calibrates the amount based on your specific anatomy and goals.
