Buccal Fat Reduction
If full, round cheeks make your face feel out of proportion or overly “baby-faced” despite a healthy weight, our buccal fat removal in Newport Beach offers a precise solution to sculpt and slim your midface. This targeted procedure removes a portion of the buccal fat pad to enhance cheekbone and jawline definition, creating a chiseled, refined look. Ideal for younger patients seeking cheekbone enhancement or those combining it with a facelift, our balanced approach ensures natural results that complement your features, avoiding overly hollow or aged appearances.
Our Patients Before & After Results
Your Consultation: What To Expect During Your Buccal Fat Reduction Consultation
During your buccal fat removal consultation in Newport Beach, we’ll discuss what bothers you about your facial appearance, such as overly full cheeks or lack of midface definition. You’ll share your goals, and we’ll create a tailored plan, exploring whether buccal fat removal alone or combined with procedures like a facelift suits you best.
Using my Anatomy of Aging approach, I’ll explain how the buccal fat pad contributes to cheek fullness and how its reduction enhances cheekbone contrast, using diagrams to illustrate youthful versus fuller facial structures.
We’ll discuss the small, scarless incision inside your mouth and review before-and-after cases to show sculpted outcomes.
Lastly I’ll outline how this 1-hour procedure works including your anesthesia options which include local with sedation or IV sedation based on your comfort.
This education ensures your questions align with our goals for a natural, refreshed outcome. We’ll address all your concerns to leave you confident and informed.
Preoperative Preparation
The second appointment we’ll have is your pre-op appointment. It lasts about an hour and takes place about 2 weeks prior to your buccal fat reduction.
During this appointment we’ll review the procedure once again, discuss any specific risks, complete all consent forms, conduct a physical exam, and address medical concerns and existing medications like diabetes and blood pressure with lab work if needed.
We take photos, prescribe medications, and collect payment, while a nurse provides written postoperative care instructions, ensuring you’re prepared without last-minute pharmacy visits.
On the day of surgery, you’ll bring your prescribed medications, which we administer upon check-in. As they take effect I’ll review the surgery again with you, mark the areas, and may supplement oral sedation with an intramuscular injection for comfort during numbing. Local anesthesia allows you to go home promptly post-surgery, fully awake.
Buccal Fat Reduction Surgery Walkthrough
Buccal fat removal takes about 1 hour and begins with numbing or IV sedation, customized to your preference.
Through a small incision inside your mouth, leaving no visible scar, I access the buccal fat pad—a natural fat pocket in the lower cheeks near the mouth’s corners. I carefully remove a portion of this fat to sculpt the midface, enhancing the contrast between your cheekbones and lower cheeks for a defined, chiseled look.
The amount removed is tailored to your facial structure to avoid hollowness, especially considering how buccal fat may change with age.
For some patients, I combine this with facelifts or other procedures for harmonious results, ensuring a refined, natural contour with minimal invasiveness.
The Recovery Process After Buccal Fat Reduction Surgery
Recovery from buccal fat removal is straightforward, with minimal downtime. You’ll avoid strenuous activities or chewing hard foods for 5–7 days to protect the intraoral incision, which dissolves naturally.
Swelling, common in the cheeks, typically fades within 1–2 weeks, making you feel socially presentable. Bruising is minimal, and icing post-surgery helps reduce it further.
About 80% of your sculpted results are visible by 1 month, with full refinement taking 2–3 months as tissues settle.
We’ll see you on day one for care instructions (e.g., gentle oral rinses to keep the incision clean), day three for a check-in if needed, and day 7 for a follow-up.
This thorough buccal fat reduction recovery ensures you feel confident throughout your recovery every step of the way!
Achieving The Most Natural Buccal Fat Reduction Results
I customize your buccal fat removal to your unique facial structure, ensuring a sculpted yet balanced look that enhances your cheekbones and jawline without appearing hollow.
Your commitment to post-surgery care, like avoiding sun exposure and maintaining a stable weight, combined with my precise fat reduction, ensures seamless, natural results.
To maintain your refined look as aging progresses, we offer non-surgical options like fillers to restore volume if needed, Botox for wrinkles, or lasers for skin tightening, counteracting natural collagen loss. These treatments keep your results vibrant and authentic long-term.
Most Common Questions & Concerns My Patients Have About Buccal Fat Reduction
Will My Face Look Tight & Unnatural After Buccal Fat Reduction?
Over-removal can lead to a gaunt look, but my conservative approach carefully sculpts the buccal fat pad to enhance definition while preserving balance. Our before-and-after gallery showcases natural results, and we’ll review relevant examples during your consultation to set clear expectations.
How Long Will My Buccal Fat Reduction Results Last?
Results are generally permanent, as the removed fat doesn’t regenerate. However, aging, weight changes, or genetics may affect facial appearance over time. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle maximizes longevity, and we’ll discuss this during your consultation.
When Can I Return To A (Somewhat) Normal Routine?
Most patients feel presentable within 1–2 weeks as swelling subsides. Avoid strenuous activities or hard chewing for 5–7 days. Light routines can resume within a week, with full activities after 2 weeks. Final results are typically visible by 2–3 months.
I’m Worried How I’ll Look During My Recovery
Swelling is normal but fades within 1–2 weeks with icing and gentle care. Most patients feel confident in public by this time. We provide detailed oral care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and minimize complications.
Who Isn’t A Good Fit For This?
Patients with naturally thin faces, significant aging concerns, or unrealistic expectations may not be ideal. Health conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or smoking may also affect candidacy. We’ll assess your suitability during your consultation for safe, optimal results.
Will You Keep In Contact With Me After Surgery?
Yes! We’ll see you on day one for care instructions, day three for a check-in if needed, and day 7 for a follow-up. The one-month photo visit captures your progress, with optional check-ins at three or six months. We are here for you throughout your entire recovery and you will be able to contact us any time.
What Anesthesia Options Are Available?
We’ll discuss options during your consultation and pre-op visit, tailoring them to your comfort. Choices include local with sedation or IV sedation. Most opt for local with sedation for this quick procedure, but IV sedation is available for complete unawareness.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Buccal Fat Reduction?
If you’re in your 20s to 40s, bothered by full cheeks or a “baby-faced” look, and seeking enhanced cheekbone definition, you may be a great candidate. Good health and realistic goals are essential. We’ll confirm your fit during your consultation.
Do You Offer Financing?
Yes we do and we can discuss all your options in detail during your consultation.
Ready For A More Youthful Face?
The next step is to schedule your one-on-one consultation so we can discuss your specific goals along with your questions and concerns. Call or text us directly at (949) 566-1032. You can also stop by and visit us, we’re in the heart of Newport Beach walking distance from Fashion Island at 180 Newport Center Dr #160, Newport Beach, CA 92660.