Buccal fat removal, a cosmetic surgery that removes excess cheek fat, is growing in popularity. Although most plastic surgery patients who work with an experienced surgeon are happy with the results of their procedure, sometimes aesthetic goals and desires change. When they do, the patient may wish to reverse or alter their surgical results.
While it’s quite rare, some patients do wish to reverse their buccal fat removal procedure.
When they do, the reason is usually a change in facial appearance due to weight loss or aging that makes them look gaunt now that their buccal fat is missing. In some unfortunate cases, patients wish to reverse their procedure because their surgeon took out too much cheek fat, creating an immediate hollow appearance.
Technically, no. Buccal fat removal is a permanent procedure. Once your buccal fat pad is removed, it’s gone for good. That doesn’t mean, however, that nothing can be done. We can “reverse” a buccal fat removal procedure even though we can’t put the buccal fat pad back in. Instead, cheek volume is restored using other techniques. Therefore, while this surgery cannot be reversed in the literal sense, results can be softened or corrected if needed.
We can’t put your buccal fat pad back in, but there are generally three ways that a plastic surgeon can correct a buccal fat removal procedure if you wish. We will explain all of them, but one of the three methods is generally not recommended, although it may be useful in some cases.
The best option for patients seeking permanent correction, a facial fat transfer uses liposuction to remove unwanted body fat and then injects that fat into the cheeks. Donor fat is often taken from the abdomen, thighs, or other areas where people tend to carry larger amounts of fat.
Fat transfer creates the most natural-looking result because it is natural—your body's own fat cells are used to re-plump the cheeks, so there is nothing artificial used in the procedure. This procedure is also highly targeted, allowing your plastic surgeon to precisely correct areas of asymmetry and hollowness.
Dermal fillers are a very effective way to restore cheek volume after buccal fat removal. At Mia Aesthetics, we use Juvéderm brand hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers exclusively. HA is a substance naturally found in your body, making these fillers a safe choice. And if necessary, HA fillers can be dissolved quickly if you decide you dislike them or have an issue with them.
The natural quality of HA fillers makes them quite safe, but it also makes them quite temporary. Over time, your body will absorb the filler placed in your cheeks. This means that to keep your buccal fat removal correction, you’ll need to visit your surgeon for a touch-up every 12 to 24 months, depending on your metabolism.
Cheek implants can be another permanent way to reverse buccal fat removal, but they’re not generally recommended for this purpose. Cheek implants come with more risks than fat transfer and dermal fillers, and they can be overly rigid and reduce the softness of your cheeks. Implants are typically used to create facial contours, not restore lost ones. Cheek implants can be an option for you, however, depending on your unique situation.
Sometimes we can slow it down, but in the end, age comes for us all. One of the things that happens as we age is that we naturally lose fat in our cheeks. While a buccal fat removal can correct chubby cheeks in your 30s, you may wish you had kept that cheek fat when you’re nearing 60 and are starting to look a little too hollow in the cheeks. In that case, you may find yourself considering reversing your buccal fat removal procedure. Other reasons people opt to reverse buccal fat removal include:
It’s important to understand that while fat transfer and dermal filler procedures can create a soft, subtle, and uniquely tailored correction after buccal fat removal, neither one can undo the results of your surgery completely. A skilled surgeon can create a fuller look but will never be able to restore you to exactly the way you were before you had your cheek fat removed.
Dermal fillers can be injected with almost no downtime and your results will be visible immediately. You’ll need time to heal after a fat transfer procedure, though, so you should expect about two to four weeks of activity restrictions. Fat transfer also creates post-op swelling, so your results will reveal themselves gradually over time. Remember, too, that while fat transfer is considered permanent, fillers require periodic maintenance.
To prevent removing too much fat during a buccal fat removal procedure, plastic surgeons now take a more conservative approach, especially with young patients and those with naturally lean faces. Before opting for cheek fat removal, it’s important that you and your surgeon consider your natural facial anatomy and long-term goals. Try to consider how you will feel in a few years when you start to lose facial fat and don’t have much cheek fat to minimize the facial changes aging might bring.
Of course, the best way to ensure that you’re happy with the results of your fat removal procedure is to choose an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon like those at Mia Aesthetics. If you still find yourself unhappy despite your surgeon’s skill, or if your situation has changed, our surgeons have the expertise to reverse your buccal fat removal in a way that restores a natural-looking facial contour.
While your buccal fat pad itself can’t be put back, you do have safe and effective options to restore facial volume after buccal fat pad removal. Through fat grafting or fillers, surgeons can recreate youthful contours and correct over-removal or age-related changes. If you’re concerned about your results, we encourage you to schedule a free virtual consultation to explore a customized restoration plan.
No, it can’t. Once removed, the buccal fat pad does not regenerate. The buccal fat removal procedure is permanent.
Yes, fat transfer is a popular and natural solution for restoring volume and correcting contour issues. It’s a permanent and often recommended fix.
Fillers like Juvéderm hyaluronic acid fillers can be used for more subtle or temporary correction—especially if you’re leery of another surgery.
When done properly, fat grafting can last several years, though some fat is reabsorbed during healing. Like buccal fat removal, fat grafting is considered a permanent procedure. If you lose a large amount of weight, however, the implanted fat cells could shrink along with other fat cells in your body, and this could alter your results.
Yes, as long as the procedure is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon or facial specialist using proper techniques.
Cheek implants can add volume but are rarely used solely for reversing buccal fat removal. Most patients and surgeons prefer less invasive, lower-risk options.
Not exactly, no. A more balanced and fuller look can be restored, especially if symmetry or hollowing is the concern. You might get fairly close to your old look, but don’t expect an exact match to your prior appearance.
Dermal filler is injected during a non-surgical, in-office procedure that typically doesn’t require any anesthesia at all, although a topical numbing agent can be used if you wish. Fat transfer is a bit different. You may choose general anesthesia or opt for awake liposuction to procure the donor fat for grafting.
You’ll typically need to wait at least three to six months for swelling to fully resolve before considering corrective treatment.