Buccal Fat Reduction
What is Buccal Fat Reduction?
Buccal fat reduction—also called bichectomy or cheek reduction surgery—is a procedure that removes a portion of the buccal fat pad, a naturally occurring pocket of fat situated in the lower cheek. By reducing this fat pad, the procedure slims and contours the mid-face, creating a more defined cheekbone structure and a less round facial silhouette.
All incisions are made inside the mouth, leaving absolutely no visible external scars.
Why Patients Choose Buccal Fat Reduction
Patients commonly seek this procedure when they feel their face is:
Persistently round or "chubby" despite being at a healthy weight
Lacking definition in the cheekbone and mid-face area
Overfull in the lower cheek, creating a heavy facial appearance
Not matching their desired facial silhouette
Buccal fat reduction is popular among patients seeking a slimmer, more contoured facial structure—and is often combined with submental liposuction or chin refinement procedures for a comprehensive contouring result.
The Procedure
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Dr. Kieu makes a small incision on the inside of each cheek, gently teases out a measured portion of the buccal fat pad, and closes the incisions with dissolvable sutures. The entire procedure typically takes less than an hour.
Because all incisions are intraoral, there is no external scarring whatsoever.
Recovery
Recovery from buccal fat reduction is generally straightforward. Most patients experience mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the cheek area for the first week. A soft diet is recommended during initial healing, and patients are typically back to normal activities within 5–7 days. Full swelling resolution—and the final, refined result—is visible over the course of several weeks to months.
An important note on candidacy: Buccal fat reduction is best suited for patients who have naturally full cheeks due to fat pad size—not for patients whose facial fullness is related to weight or age-related volume. Dr. Kieu carefully evaluates each patient's facial anatomy to ensure that removal will create the desired contour without leading to hollowness as natural fat loss occurs over time.
Ideal Candidates
Patients with persistently full cheeks unrelated to body weight
Those seeking a more sculpted, defined mid-face appearance
Adults (typically under 45) with good facial volume who want contour refinement
Patients in good general health with realistic expectations
Those who understand that results develop gradually as swelling resolves
Dr. Kieu's Approach
Dr. Kieu takes a measured, conservative approach to buccal fat removal. She evaluates each patient's full facial structure—including bone structure, fat distribution, skin thickness, and the natural aging trajectory of the face—before recommending how much, if any, fat to remove. Her goal is always a result that looks naturally sculpted today and remains balanced and harmonious as the face ages over time.