Slim and refine your mid-face for an elegant, contoured look.
One common request the team at The Spiegel Center in Newton, Massachusetts, receives from Asian patients is to reduce the size of full cheeks. Many would like their face to appear less round and more angular. Our doctors are specialists in facial plastic surgery and have performed countless buccal fat removals that have given patients the sculpted, toned, or chiseled face of their dreams.
Thick or chubby cheeks are a hallmark of childhood, but some people never lose the chipmunk-cheek look. Typically childhood fat diminishes in the face with age, but for some, the fat in their cheeks remains well into adulthood; this is largely genetic. Buccal fat is the padding of fat between the cheekbone and the jawline.
A large quantity of this fatty tissue causes protruding cheeks. It is not uncommon for those of Asian descent to have an abundance of buccal fat. The fat itself is contained in its own little pocket, which makes removing all or some of it a simple procedure.
Many patients worry that removing buccal fat will make their faces look old in their advanced years and give them a gaunt appearance. However, everyone experiences volume loss as they age, which is easily corrected with dermal fillers. At some point, dermal fillers become necessary to maintain a youthful look for most people, which means you can rest assured knowing that you can look good at any stage of life.
Do you feel self-conscious of your cheeks, and think they are too big? Do you think you look immature or childlike? The removal of your buccal fat could be a solution. Buccal fat is not affected by diet or exercise, which means that surgical removal is the most effective option. Those that pursue buccal fat removal:
Is buccal fat removal safe for all ethnicities and face shapes?
How long is the recovery after buccal fat removal?
Is buccal fat removal permanent?
Can buccal fat removal be combined with other procedures?
How soon will I see results after buccal fat removal?
Yes. The Spiegel Center has extensive experience performing buccal fat removal for patients of all backgrounds. Every treatment is tailored to your unique anatomy and cosmetic goals to ensure a result that aligns beautifully with your natural features.
Recovery is typically mild and quick. Most patients experience minimal swelling and resume normal activities within a few days. Because the procedure is performed inside the mouth, there are no visible scars, and results become more noticeable as swelling resolves over the following weeks.
Yes, buccal fat removal is a permanent procedure. Once the fat pads are removed, they do not return. However, significant weight changes can still affect facial fullness, so maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your results long term.
Absolutely. Buccal fat removal is often paired with treatments like chin augmentation, cheek fillers, or a facelift to enhance overall facial balance. The Spiegel Center offers comprehensive evaluations to design a personalized plan that aligns with your aesthetic goals and delivers natural, refined results.
You may notice subtle improvements within the first few weeks, but final results typically become visible after about 3 months, once all swelling has resolved. The outcome is a naturally contoured, more sculpted facial shape that continues to refine over time.
Source: Eleanor P., Google Review, 5/18/22
I had an excellent experience in The Spiegel Center. although everyone is very professional and friendly, my experience with Eleanor and April was excellent. I am very happy with my results, this is now my place to go for fillers or anything aesthetics that i need. Dr. Onir and Dr. Spiegel provide you with a welcome and friendly environment. Thank you all!
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