Mission Viejo Buccal Fat Removal Orange County Surgical Specialists

Heavy or overly round cheeks can give your face a chubby appearance and distract from your other features. This is a normal anatomical variation, but some people wish there was something they could do to change it. Unfortunately, diet and exercise do little to alter fat in the cheek area, called the buccal fat pad. Buccal fat removal offers a surgical solution, reducing buccal fat to make the shape of your face slimmer and more sculpted. Orange County Surgical Specialists patients benefit from the skill, experience, and caring demeanor of Reza Bolourian, M.D., F.A.C.S. Specializing in facial plastic surgery procedures, Dr. Bolourian is driven by a commitment to providing exceptional patient care and unparalleled results. We invite you to schedule a consultation and learn how Dr. Bolourian and the compassionate Orange County Surgical Specialists team can support your transformative journey.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Heavy or overly round cheeks may cause your face to appear chubby or lacking in definition.

This is generally the result of having larger buccal pads—the fat pads in the cheeks. In some cases, the masseter muscles of the jaw are enlarged, causing buccal fat to appear more prominent. Either way, surgical reduction of buccal fat can be performed to reduce the size of chubby cheeks and streamline the appearance of a “baby face”. Some of the fat is removed to give the face a more slender, sculpted appearance.

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What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a precise technique to reduce fullness in the cheeks and highlight the natural angles of the face.

  • Enhances cheekbone definition by reducing volume in the lower cheeks
  • Creates a more sculpted, V-shaped facial contour
  • Provides permanent reduction in facial fullness for long-term results
  • Improves facial harmony without the need for implants or fillers
  • Minimally invasive procedure with discreet, internal incisions
  • Quick recovery and minimal downtime, making it a convenient option
  • Can be combined with other facial procedures for comprehensive rejuvenation
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Your Mission Viejo Buccal Fat Removal Consultation

Want to make a change, but not sure if buccal fat pad reduction is best for you? Contact our office by phone or online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bolourian. He will assess your facial anatomy and answer any questions you have about the procedure so that you can make an educated decision about treatment. Patients planning to travel from out of town to Orange County Surgical Specialists are invited to get started by scheduling a virtual consultation. We look forward to helping you explore your options with buccal fat removal in Mission Viejo.

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Your Mission Viejo Buccal Fat Removal Procedure

In most cases, buccal fat removal is performed using a combination of local anesthesia, oral sedation, or intravenous sedation. Mission Viejo cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Bolourian, performs all surgeries in our sterile onsite surgical facility. He starts by creating an incision in your mouth on the inside of the cheek, where it will not leave a visible scar. He then carefully reduces a portion of the buccal fat in each cheek to create your desired facial profile before closing the incisions with small sutures. You will spend a short time resting while we monitor your comfort levels before you return home to recover.

Buccal Fat Removal Results

Your full results will be visible once post-procedure swelling in the treatment area subsides. Most swelling will go down within three weeks, but it may take eight to twelve weeks for localized inflammation to diminish completely. Make sure to follow aftercare instructions for keeping the incision sites clean.

These may include eating a soft or liquid diet for a few days and avoiding flexing or stretching the incision area. Once post-procedure swelling has faded and your facial tissues have settled into place, you can enjoy your beautifully chiseled, contoured cheeks.

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Buccal Fat Removal Recovery and Aftercare

By sculpting your lower face, buccal fat pad removal helps create a more V-shaped jawline. Your results will be tailored to your individual goals and face shape. Most patients choose to reduce the fat in their cheeks by about 50 to 80 percent. This approach allows for precise sculpting without removing too much volume from the upper part of the cheeks. Your results will be permanent and will give your face a more elegant, athletic appearance.

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Why Choose Orange County Surgical Specialists for Buccal Fat Removal in Mission Viejo, Orange County?

Buccal fat removal is a subtle yet impactful procedure, and achieving a naturally contoured result requires both technical skill and aesthetic vision. At Orange County Surgical Specialists, Dr. Reza Bolourian brings dual board certification and deep experience in facial anatomy to every case. He tailors each procedure to your unique features, ensuring you retain facial softness while gaining refined definition. With personalized care and a focus on balanced, natural-looking outcomes, patients trust Dr. Bolourian for results that enhance—not exaggerate—their appearance.

Buccal Fat Removal Frequently Asked Questions

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Who is a good candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?

The best candidates for buccal fat removal have a large concentration of fat in the cheek areas that causes their faces to look overly round or plump. Buccal fat reduction is not recommended for patients with narrower face shapes, for whom it could create a hollowed-out appearance. Patients with excess fat but naturally high cheekbones often have the best outcomes.

Can Buccal Fat Removal be combined with another procedure?

Yes. Buccal fat removal may be performed alongside another procedure, such as a facelift, chin implant, or dermal fillers to deliver more precise facial contouring.

What happens to buccal fat pads as we age?

In some individuals, buccal fat herniates through the inner layers of the facial muscles and creates heaviness in the lower facial structures. As we age, buccal fat may mimic the jowls, and people may confuse the herniated buccal fat with descending jowls. An experienced surgeon like Dr. Bolourian will recognize those specific variations in facial aging and correct them while undergoing facelift surgery.

In selected cases, Dr. Bolourian recommends the reduction of buccal fat to enhance the results of the lower facelift surgery.

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