Define the hidden architecture of your face by eliminating the stubborn fullness that masks your natural bone structure. Buccal Fat Removal offers a sophisticated, permanent solution for those seeking a sleeker, more chiseled mid-face profile.
While contouring makeup can create a temporary illusion of slimmer cheeks, buccal fat removal surgery offers a permanent refinement of the mid-face. At De La Cruz Plastic Surgery in Houston, Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz performs precise buccal fat pad removal to sculpt and define the lower cheeks, creating a more contoured and balanced facial profile. Using a small incision placed discreetly inside the mouth, the buccal fat pad is carefully reduced without leaving visible scars on the face.
This facial contouring procedure in Houston is performed in our AAAA-accredited surgical facility and is customized to each patient’s unique facial anatomy and bone structure. By selectively reducing fullness in the lower cheeks, Dr. De La Cruz enhances cheekbone definition and jawline contour while preserving natural facial harmony. The goal is a refined, sculpted appearance that looks elegant and natural rather than hollow or overdone.
Reducing "chipmunk cheeks" to enhance cheekbone and jawline definition
Most patients return to normal activities within 24 hours, with mild swelling improving over the first 3–7 days.
30–60 minutes
Permanently refines the midface by reducing excess buccal fat, resulting in slimmer cheeks and enhanced cheekbone definition.
Performed through a small incision inside the mouth, resulting in no visible external scarring.
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Buccal Fat Removal, also known as cheek reduction surgery, is a facial contouring procedure designed to slim and sculpt the midface by reducing fullness in the lower cheeks. The buccal fat pad is a naturally occurring pocket of fat located deep within the cheek that typically does not respond to diet or exercise. By carefully removing a portion of this fat through a small internal incision, Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz creates greater definition beneath the cheekbones and enhances the natural contours of the face. The result is a slimmer, more sculpted facial profile with improved cheekbone definition, often described as a refined, high-fashion appearance.
Buccal fat removal is performed through a small intraoral incision, meaning the procedure is completed entirely from inside the mouth without visible external scars. Local anesthesia is first administered to ensure patient comfort. A small incision is then made along the inner cheek, allowing Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz to carefully identify and access the buccal fat pad. A controlled portion of the fat is gently removed to reduce excess fullness in the lower cheeks while preserving natural facial balance. Because part of the buccal fat pad extends toward the temporal region, only the appropriate amount is removed to maintain natural facial contours. The incision is then closed with absorbable sutures, which dissolve on their own during the healing process.
For patients seeking additional facial slimming, buccal fat removal can be combined with masseter muscle reduction using BOTOX® injections. This complementary treatment relaxes the masseter muscles along the jawline, helping to create a more tapered and refined facial profile.
Buccal fat removal is often combined with procedures such as a deep plane facelift, ponytail lift, facial fat transfer, or masseter Botox to further refine the jawline.
The primary advantage of buccal fat removal is the permanence of the results. Once the buccal fat pads are removed, they do not grow back, meaning your chiseled profile is yours for a lifetime
Additionally, because the incisions are internal, there is no risk of visible surgical markers. It provides a sophisticated "model-esque" look that enhances your natural features and provides a boost in confidence that makeup and filters cannot replicate.
Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz performs buccal fat removal in Houston, Texas, serving patients from Cypress, Katy, Memorial, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands.
Buccal fat removal is most commonly requested by patients in their 20s and 30s who have persistent fullness in the lower cheeks that does not improve with diet or exercise. Ideal candidates are individuals seeking a slimmer, more contoured facial appearance with enhanced cheekbone definition. Patients should be in good overall health, at a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about the outcome of surgery.
At De La Cruz Plastic Surgery in Houston, Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz is highly selective when recommending buccal fat removal. The procedure is best suited for patients who have adequate buccal fat volume and thicker facial tissues, as removing too much fat in patients with naturally thin faces can lead to an overly hollow appearance as they age. During your consultation, Dr. De La Cruz carefully evaluates your facial anatomy, skin elasticity, and bone structure to determine whether buccal fat removal is the appropriate procedure to achieve your desired facial contour.
Recovery after buccal fat removal is typically quick and well tolerated. Because the small incisions are placed inside the mouth, patients are advised to follow a liquid or soft-food diet for the first few days and use a prescribed antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce the risk of infection while the tissues heal.
First 24 Hours Mild swelling and tenderness in the cheeks are expected and may feel similar to the sensation after dental work. Most patients are comfortable returning to work and light daily activities within about one day.
Days 2–3 Swelling generally peaks around 48 hours after surgery and then gradually begins to improve. Patients should continue soft foods and maintain good oral hygiene during this time.
Days 4–7 Swelling continues to decrease and most patients return to normal social activities. The cheeks may still appear slightly full as healing progresses.
Around 6–8 Weeks The new facial contour becomes more apparent as swelling continues to resolve, revealing slimmer cheeks and improved cheekbone definition.
3–6 Months The final results of buccal fat removal gradually emerge as the tissues fully settle, creating a refined, sculpted midface and enhanced facial balance.
While an improvement in facial contour becomes noticeable as the initial swelling subsides, the final results of buccal fat removal typically continue to refine over 2 to 4 months. As the tissues heal and settle, the natural shadows beneath the cheekbones become more defined, creating slimmer cheeks and enhanced cheekbone definition. The result is a more sculpted, balanced midface with a refined facial contour that looks elegant and naturally contoured rather than exaggerated.
Facial contouring surgery requires a careful balance between removing enough buccal fat to refine the cheeks while preserving the natural volume needed to maintain a youthful appearance over time. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz approaches buccal fat removal with exceptional precision—often described as a “surgery of millimeters.” His deep understanding of facial anatomy allows him to sculpt the midface while protecting the natural harmony of the cheeks, jawline, and cheekbones.
At De La Cruz Plastic Surgery in Houston, every procedure is tailored to the patient’s unique facial structure and aesthetic goals. Dr. De La Cruz combines surgical expertise, artistic judgment, and a safety-first philosophy to deliver refined, natural-looking results. Choosing our practice means entrusting your care to a surgeon-led team committed to precision, integrity, and balanced facial aesthetics.
Schedule your Consultation with Dr. De La Cruz today by calling 832-776-1134.
Because buccal fat removal permanently changes facial volume, choosing an experienced surgeon is essential. Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz evaluates your facial anatomy, skin quality, and bone structure to ensure the correct amount of buccal fat is removed, creating slimmer cheeks while preserving long-term facial balance.
Most patients report minimal pain, noting a sensation of fullness or tightness in the cheeks during the first few days of recovery.
Buccal fat removal, when combined with a BOTOX injection into the masseter muscle, can produce a slimmer face.
There are two surgical approaches to buccal fat removal. The most common technique is performed through a small incision inside the mouth, typically placed in the inner cheek near the upper second molar, allowing the buccal fat pad to be carefully identified and reduced without external scarring.
In certain cases—such as when the procedure is performed in combination with a facelift—the buccal fat may also be accessed through the facelift incision, allowing the surgeon to contour the midface while already working within the deeper facial planes
Buccal fat removal permanently reduces cheek fullness, while masseter Botox temporarily slims the jawline by relaxing the chewing muscles.
Buccal fat removal unveils a less cherubic face and a slimmer face that may accentuate one's cheeks.
Buccal fat removal is designed to refine fullness in the midface and does not treat jowls or prejowls, which are caused by skin laxity and tissue descent. In patients with naturally round or cherubic facial features, the procedure may improve cheek contour but may not dramatically slim the entire face. During consultation, Dr. De La Cruz carefully evaluates facial anatomy to determine whether buccal fat removal alone or a combination of procedures will best achieve the desired result.
The recovery ranges from 1 to 2 days. Typically, patients can return to work the following day.
Once buccal fat is surgically removed, the reduction is permanent and the fat pad does not grow back. However, treatments such as BOTOX injections to the masseter muscle, which are often used to further slim the lower face and jawline, are temporary and typically last about 3 to 6 months before repeat treatment may be needed to maintain the effect.
As with any surgical procedure, buccal fat removal carries potential risks, although complications are uncommon when the procedure is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. Possible risks may include bleeding, infection, bruising, temporary swelling or discoloration, and reactions to anesthesia. Rare complications can include injury to the parotid duct or temporary or permanent changes in facial sensation, though these outcomes are infrequent.
At De La Cruz Plastic Surgery in Houston, Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz places a strong emphasis on patient safety and careful surgical planning. During your consultation, he will thoroughly review the risks, benefits, and alternatives of buccal fat removal and determine which surgical approach is best suited to your facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. This individualized approach helps ensure a safe procedure and a balanced, natural-looking result that enhances facial contour while preserving a youthful, rested appearance.
Once buccal fat pads are surgically removed, they do not regenerate. However, weight gain can enlarge surrounding fat compartments of the face.
