Refine the contours of your cheeks with buccal fat removal in Palo Alto. At Leader Plastic Surgery, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Brittany Leader helps reduce fullness in the lower cheeks to create a sculpted facial shape. Her thoughtful, personalized approach ensures results that feel natural, balanced, and beautifully you.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
Reveal More Sculpted Cheek Contours
The buccal fat pad is a naturally occurring pocket of fat located deep within the lower cheeks, between the facial muscles beneath the cheekbones. While everyone has buccal fat, the size of this pad varies from person to person. In some individuals, fuller buccal fat pads can create a rounder or heavier appearance through the mid-face, softening cheekbone definition and contributing to a “baby-faced” look that persists even with weight loss.
Buccal fat removal reduces this excess volume and refines facial contours. During the procedure, Dr. Leader makes a small incision inside the mouth, which provides direct access to the buccal fat pad without any external scars. A controlled portion of the fat is gently removed, preserving natural facial harmony while enhancing cheek definition. The incision is then closed with dissolvable sutures, and the procedure is typically completed in under an hour.
Quick Glance
Treatment Time
1 - 2 Hours
Patient Downtime
7 - 10 Days of Initial Swelling and Recovery
Treatment Series
Single Surgical Procedure
Procedure Type
Outpatient Facial Surgery
Concerns Treated
- Full or rounded lower cheeks
- Excess cheek volume that obscures natural cheekbone definition
- “Baby face” appearance despite healthy weight
- Lack of mid-face contour or facial sculpting
- Desire for a slimmer, more defined facial shape
Dr. Leader’s Approach
Bespoke. Artful. Restrained.
Dr. Leader approaches buccal fat removal with a careful, artistic mindset. Not every patient benefits from buccal fat removal, and that’s something she discusses during the consultation. She takes time to study your facial structure (your cheekbones, jawline, and natural proportions) so any change supports facial balance. The goal is simple: refinement that still feels like you.
Dr. Leader’s philosophy is rooted in restraint. As a facial plastic surgeon with fellowship training under world-renowned surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif, she understands how subtle adjustments can transform facial harmony. Rather than removing too much volume, she tailors the procedure to enhance definition while preserving the softness that helps a face look youthful over time, avoiding the hollow or gaunt look that can result from overly aggressive fat removal.
Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal:
- Enhanced cheekbone definition and facial contours
- Reduction of fullness in the lower cheeks
- Slimmer, more sculpted mid-face appearance
- Improved balance between cheeks, jawline, and chin
- Permanent reduction of excess cheek fat
- No visible external scars
- Subtle refinement that preserves natural facial identity
- Outpatient procedure with a relatively short recovery time
Buccal Fat Removal FAQs
Who Is a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal is best suited for patients who feel their lower cheeks appear overly full or rounded. Even individuals who are otherwise fairly slim can have prominent buccal fat pads that soften the definition of the cheekbones and don’t respond to diet or exercise.
During your consultation, Dr. Leader carefully evaluates your facial anatomy to determine whether reducing buccal fat will enhance your natural facial contours. Not every patient benefits from this surgery, and Dr. Leader is thoughtful about recommending it only when it will improve facial balance while preserving long-term harmony.
Will My Face Look Hollow as I Age?
Buccal fat removal must be performed conservatively. Dr. Leader focuses on subtle refinement rather than aggressive fat removal. By reducing only a portion of the fat pad, she preserves the natural softness that keeps the face looking youthful over time. Her goal is to enhance cheek definition without creating a hollow or gaunt appearance later in life.
Are There Visible Scars After Buccal Fat Removal?
No. The procedure is performed through small incisions inside the mouth. Because the incision is internal, there are no visible scars on the skin. The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures, and most patients heal without noticeable signs that surgery was performed.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Most patients return to normal daily activities within about a week. Swelling inside the cheeks is common during the early healing phase and improves over the following weeks. Dr. Leader provides detailed recovery instructions to help ensure smooth healing. While initial swelling resolves fairly quickly, the refined cheek contours continue to settle over a few months.
When Will I See My Final Results?
You’ll likely notice early contour changes once the initial swelling begins to resolve, usually within a few weeks. However, the final result develops gradually as the tissues settle and the cheeks refine. Most patients see their full outcome within 3 to 6 months.
Schedule Your Consultation
Dr. Brittany Leader is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who brings expert Beverly Hills-level training and a thoughtful, personalized approach to every patient she sees. At Leader Plastic Surgery, she takes the time to understand your goals and design a plan to enhance your facial balance. Patients from across Silicon Valley trust her refined, conservative approach. Schedule a consultation to learn whether buccal fat removal in Palo Alto is right for you.
