The same chubby cheeks that look so adorable on your sister’s new baby might make you feel as though you look like a chipmunk if you see them on yourself. If you feel that your cheeks are a bit too cherub-like, buccal fat removal surgery can help by removing the fat pad in your lower cheeks, creating a sleeker facial appearance.
Although still considered a plastic or cosmetic surgery, buccal fat pad removal has some traits that set it apart from other cosmetic procedures.
Perhaps the most striking difference is that buccal pads are removed through small incisions inside the mouth. This makes for a unique healing and post-op care process. This tissue heals differently than the skin and muscle tissues typically involved in plastic surgery.
One thing that remains the same, however, is that post-surgical swelling will ease gradually. This means your final outcome will take several weeks to become visible.
Recovering from buccal fat removal may be different from many other cosmetic procedures, but it still follows a fairly predictable timeline. An overview of this timeline will help you know what to expect as you heal after surgery so you know if you’re on track or perhaps need to check in with your plastic surgeon.
Days 1–3
Week 1
Weeks 2–3
Weeks 4–6
3 Months and Beyond
Both you and your plastic surgeon want your recovery to go smoothly and proceed without any hiccups. These tips will help you achieve a comfortable and drama-free recovery:
Good news! Pain after buccal fat removal is usually mild to moderate and easily managed with over-the-counter medications. Bruises on the cheeks are rare, too, since the incisions are internal rather than external.
Happily, there is no real bad news to report. There is, however, some news that we’ll call... less than good. Your cheeks won’t look slimmer right away. They may actually look puffier for about a week after surgery because of normal surgical swelling. This is often most noticeable when you’re smiling or talking, but please don’t refrain from either—smiling is just plain good for the soul!
You may also notice some asymmetry in your cheeks since swelling won’t occur evenly.
Sometimes our patients have buccal fat removal after they or someone they know has had other facial surgeries. In this case, they often ask how recovering from this surgery compares.
Recovering from buccal fat removal is less painful than recovering from jaw surgeries, facelifts, or rhinoplasties (nose jobs). Swelling in the lower face does tend to last a bit longer, however, and may subtly linger for several weeks.
The most important difference may be the fact that the incisions made during buccal fat removal are located inside your mouth. This means no visible scars, but it also makes it critical that you adhere to a strict oral hygiene regimen after your surgery. Failure to do so is likely to result in infection.
Buccal fat removal has a low risk and easily manageable recovery process for most patients. You can aid a smooth recovery by following the oral care guidelines, diet restrictions, and activity limitations that your plastic surgeon gives you.
Always follow your surgeon’s post-op plan for the best and safest results. And have patience. The shape of your face will gradually change and become slimmer, but it will take several weeks for your new facial contour to fully emerge.
Most swelling resolves in two to four weeks, but subtle puffiness may last up to three months.
Please do! But be gentle — avoid contact with your incision sites and use a soft toothbrush.
Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods for at least one week to prevent irritation.
Absolutely not! Smoking and vaping can interfere with healing and increase the risk of infection or poor scar tissue formation.
Many surgeons close buccal fat removal incisions with dissolvable sutures, which typically disappear within seven to 10 days.
Light exercise can usually resume after 10–14 days, but always follow your surgeon’s clearance timeline.
Possibly, but it’s often mistaken for normal puffiness. The cheeks may appear fuller before they slim down.
It’s best to sleep on your back with your head elevated for about two weeks to reduce swelling.
Yes, temporary asymmetry is common while swelling subsides unevenly. It usually resolves on its own.
You’ll begin seeing changes three to four weeks after your surgery, with full results visible in three to six months when swelling completely resolves.