A round facial structure is charming in a child — but as an adult, this feature is less attractive. A “baby face” or “chipmunk cheeks” can be altered with a custom cheek reduction surgery to create a more sculpted, refined look to the lower face. The technique employed for facial contouring fat may include the surgical removal of the buccal fat pad.
What causes puffy cheeks?
The buccal fat pad is located where the hollows of the cheeks should be. When this fat pad is too large, no matter how dedicated you are to diet and exercise, your face will continue to appear rounded. Removing the fat pad allows the bone structure of your face to be revealed, creating a more sculpted, refined look, and slimming the lower section of your face.
What is cheek reduction?
An excess of cheek fat impacts your entire facial profile, affecting the jawline, and deeper, more visible smile lines. Cheek reduction surgery slims the lower facial area by removing the buccal fat. The procedure is performed through incisions inside your mouth and leaves no visible scars.
What can cheek reduction do for my facial appearance?
If you have round, full, or heavy cheeks, this procedure can dramatically improve your facial contour. The benefits of undergoing cheek reduction surgery include:
- Safe, in-office procedure
- Requires only local anesthesia
- Refines your facial structure
- Lasts a lifetime
- No visible scarring
- Increased confidence
Who is a candidate for cheek reduction surgery?
To be a safe candidate for this procedure, you should be a non-smoker in good overall health; close to your ideal weight, and have realistic expectations regarding what the procedure will achieve. Every person has a unique facial structure. If you’re hoping to achieve a refined, structured look, depending on your bone structure you may require the addition of dermal fillers or cheek implants. The first step is an evaluation of your facial structure by Dr. John Mesa.
What is the procedure like to experience?
After you make the decision to undergo cheek reduction, our team will schedule your surgery for the soonest convenient date. In the days before your procedure, ensure you follow Dr. Mesa’s instructions regarding avoiding blood-thinning medications or supplements, and avoiding alcoholic beverages. A local anesthetic will be administered to numb your cheeks. The procedure will not be painful for you. A short incision is placed within each mid-cheek through which the buccal fat pad can be popped out with the application of slight pressure. The incisions are then closed with dissolvable sutures. After your procedure, you are free to return home.
How long is the recovery?
Recovery from cheek reduction is typically easy. Every person heals at a slightly different rate, and while some may feel well enough to return to work within a day or two, others may need slightly longer.
The incisions generally heal within about one week. During the recovery, you will be able to eat a regular diet except during the first 24 hours for surgery.
Why choose Dr. Mesa
for cheek reduction?
Dr. Mesa’s patients trust him to achieve exceptional results, and know that he only recommends procedures that will deliver the result you envision — nothing more. His hundreds of excellent online reviews and ratings reflect the quality of his work in cheek reduction surgery. He is caring, warm, and he and his staff provide patient-centered service, building a strong bond with each individual he treats. He is passionate about helping his patients look their very best, with results that appear attractive and natural. As a Harvard-educated surgeon, Dr. Mesa is exceptionally talented and dedicated to superior results, with offices in NYC, New Jersey, and Miami.
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Cheek Reduction Frequently Asked Questions
Cheek reduction surgery, also known as buccal fat removal, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat from the buccal fat pads located in the lower cheek area. This procedure creates a more sculpted, refined facial appearance by slimming the lower section of your face and revealing your natural bone structure. The surgery is performed through small incisions inside the mouth, leaving no visible scars.
Good candidates for cheek reduction surgery are individuals with naturally round, full, or heavy cheeks who desire a more defined facial structure. Ideal candidates should be non-smokers in good overall health, close to their ideal weight, and have realistic expectations about the results. Dr. Mesa will evaluate your unique facial structure to determine if cheek reduction is the right procedure for your aesthetic goals.
Round or puffy cheeks are typically caused by enlarged buccal fat pads located in the hollow areas of the cheeks. When these fat pads are too large, they create a rounded facial appearance that diet and exercise cannot change. The buccal fat pad's size is largely determined by genetics and remains consistent regardless of overall body weight.
Cheek reduction surgery is performed as an in-office procedure under local anesthesia. Dr. Mesa makes small incisions inside the mouth on each side, through which the buccal fat pad is carefully removed. The fat pad is gently extracted with slight pressure, and the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures. Since the incisions are inside the mouth, there are no visible scars on the face.
Cheek reduction surgery can dramatically improve your facial contour by creating a more sculpted, refined appearance. Results include a slimmer lower face, more defined cheekbones, improved jawline definition, and reduced appearance of smile lines. The procedure reveals your natural bone structure and creates a more mature, sophisticated facial profile.
The procedure itself is not painful as it's performed under local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the surgery. Post-operative pain is typically mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. The recovery process is generally more comfortable than patients expect.
Cheek reduction surgery typically takes about 30-45 minutes to complete, depending on the individual case. The procedure is performed in Dr. Mesa's office, and patients can return home the same day. The relatively short procedure time makes it convenient for busy schedules.
Recovery from cheek reduction surgery is typically easy and straightforward. Most patients can return to work within 1-2 days, though some may need slightly longer depending on their healing rate. The incisions inside the mouth generally heal within about one week. You can eat a regular diet after the first 24 hours following surgery.
Yes, the results of cheek reduction surgery are permanent. Once the buccal fat pads are removed, they do not regenerate. The slimmer, more sculpted facial appearance achieved through the procedure will last a lifetime, making it a long-term solution for facial contouring.
Like any surgical procedure, cheek reduction carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, or asymmetry. However, when performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Mesa, complications are rare. During your consultation, Dr. Mesa will discuss all potential risks and how they are minimized.
Yes, cheek reduction can often be combined with other facial procedures depending on your individual needs and desired outcomes. Some patients may benefit from combining cheek reduction with dermal fillers or cheek implants to achieve optimal facial balance. Dr. Mesa will evaluate your facial structure to recommend the best combination approach.
The cost of cheek reduction surgery varies based on individual factors and the complexity of the procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Mesa will provide detailed pricing information based on your specific treatment plan. His practice also offers financing options to help make the procedure more accessible.
No, there are no visible scars after cheek reduction surgery. All incisions are made inside the mouth, so there are no external marks on the face. Once healed, the incision sites inside the mouth are virtually undetectable, making this procedure ideal for patients concerned about scarring.
The choice between cheek reduction and augmentation depends on your facial structure and aesthetic goals. Cheek reduction is ideal for patients with naturally full, round cheeks who want a more sculpted look. Cheek augmentation is better for those with flat or hollow cheeks who desire more prominence. Dr. Mesa will evaluate your facial anatomy to recommend the appropriate procedure.
Before cheek reduction surgery, you should avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements, alcoholic beverages, and smoking. Dr. Mesa will provide specific pre-operative instructions tailored to your situation. Following these guidelines helps ensure optimal healing and reduces the risk of complications.
Some results from cheek reduction surgery are visible immediately after the procedure, though initial swelling may mask the full effect. As swelling subsides over the first few weeks, the final sculpted appearance becomes more apparent. Most patients see significant improvement within 2-4 weeks.
You'll need to follow a modified diet for the first 24 hours after surgery, typically consisting of soft foods and liquids. After the first day, you can gradually return to your normal diet as comfort allows. Dr. Mesa will provide specific dietary guidelines to promote proper healing of the incision sites inside your mouth.
Most patients can return to work within 2-3 days after cheek reduction surgery, depending on their job requirements and individual healing rate. If your work involves extensive speaking or public interaction, you may want to take a few extra days to allow for complete comfort when talking and eating.
Dr. Mesa is a Harvard-trained and board certified cosmetic plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial contouring procedures, including cheek reduction surgery. He has built a reputation for exceptional results in NYC, New Jersey, and Miami, with thousands of excellent patient reviews. His precise approach ensures natural-looking results tailored to each patient's unique facial structure.