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Buccal fat removal offers a strong solution for slimming the face, though some patients may question whether their new facial contour will last. At Radiance Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. C. Carson Huynh offers buccal fat removal to reduce fullness in the lower cheeks and create a more sculpted facial profile. The fat removal performed is permanent and knowing what to expect from your results will help determine whether the procedure fits your long-term facial goals.

Ensuring the Right Face Shape and Features for Buccal Fat Removal

Who is a buccal fat removal candidate?

A good buccal fat removal candidate is usually someone bothered by persistent cheek fullness or “chubby cheeks” that make the face look rounder or heavier than desired. Buccal fat pads sit below the cheekbones and toward the lower cheeks, so patients who want more visible contour in this area often consider this procedure. Dr. Huynh generally evaluates the overall facial structure, cheek fullness, and whether removing some buccal fat will improve proportions without taking away too much softness.

Signs you may be a strong buccal fat removal candidate include:

• Fullness in the lower cheeks that does not match the rest of your face
• A desire for a slimmer, more defined facial profile
• Healthy skin and overall good medical health
• Realistic expectations for subtle contour change
• Interest in a minor in-office procedure with short recovery

A consultation helps determine whether buccal fat removal will actually improve your proportions or whether another facial contouring option would be more effective.

What Buccal Fat Removal Results Typically Look Like

What do buccal fat removal results look like?

Buccal fat removal results usually look like a slimmer lower cheek area with more definition through the midface. The goal is not to hollow out the face, but to reduce the bulk of the buccal fat pad so the face appears more sculpted and proportionate. Dr. Huynh performs the procedure through a small incision inside the cheek, so the contour change leaves no visible external scar.

Patients often notice results such as:

• Less fullness below the cheekbones
• A slimmer and more defined lower face
• Better facial contour from the front and angled views
• Improved balance between the cheeks and jawline

Results are not fully visible immediately because swelling has to resolve first. As that swelling subsides, the face gradually takes on the more refined shape created by the fat reduction.

Understanding Whether Buccal Fat Removal Lasts

Is buccal fat removal permanent?

Buccal fat removal is generally considered permanent because the fat that is removed from the buccal fat pad does not grow back. Once that volume is taken away, the lower cheek area is permanently reduced. The goal is to remove enough fat to improve contour while still preserving a look that remains natural over time.

Long-term buccal fat removal results are influenced by factors such as:

• How much of the buccal fat pad is removed
• Your natural facial structure and cheek shape
• How your face changes with aging over time
• Whether your weight stays relatively stable

The contour change itself is lasting, but the face will still continue to age. Buccal fat removal does not stop normal facial aging, so planning with the future in mind is important when deciding whether this is the right procedure for you.