Is Buccal Fat Removal Painful?

During the surgery, you will be pain-free as you will be under anesthesia. Post-surgery, you may feel some minor pain and soreness. Pain medication can be prescribed, and ice packs will help with swelling and discomfort.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You will be asked to return to the practice a week after surgery to monitor your recovery. After that, Dr. Shastri will let you know when he would like to see you again.

How Long Until I See Results?

The immediate impact of surgery will be obvious with the removal of the fat pads. However, swelling will continue to subside, and the first major results can be seen as early as four weeks post-surgery. Patients are told to wait until three months after surgery to evaluate their new facial contours.

Can I Combine Buccal Fat Removal With Other Procedures?

Yes, you can! Many of our patients who have received buccal fat removal in Chicago have combined it with other facial contouring procedures, such as a facelift or brow lift . Patients are recommended to share these ideas for these combined procedures with Dr. Shastri during their initial consultation so that he can consider them as he designs their surgical plan.

What Are the Risks Associated With Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal, like any other surgery, has some associated risks. Please read below for some of these: Anesthesia risks Asymmetry Bleeding Cardiac/ Pulmonary complications Deep Vein Thrombosis Fluid Accumulation (seroma) Hematoma Infection Injury to branches of the facial nerve (temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness) Numbness or other changes in sensation Persistent pain Poor healing of incisions Possible revisional surgery Prolonged swelling Salivary Duct Injury Suboptimal aesthetic results and/or minimal changes If you experience any of these and are concerned, please contact us at SG Facial Plastic Surgery immediately.

Chicago, IL

Buccal Fat Removal

Introduction

Introduction to Buccal Fat Removal

The charm of a chubby-looking baby face wanes with age, and most adults want to have a chiseled, attractive face that speaks of maturity. Those with naturally round faces might seek to reduce their cheek size. Buccal fat removal is an aesthetic surgery designed to address this and give clients a chiseled, high cheekbone look by removing the naturally occurring buccal fat pads inside the cheeks. If you are interested in buccal fat removal in Chicago, consider scheduling an in-person consultation with board-certified facial plastic surgeons Dr. Karthik Shastri and Dr. Kurren Gill. Call the Chicago office today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.

What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal, also known as buccal lipectomy or cheek fat removal, is a plastic surgery that eliminates the “buccal pad,” the naturally occurring fat pocket in the cheek. This removal results in a slimmer-looking face and gives the impression of chiseled cheekbones. The size and shape of buccal pads vary in patients and even across the cheeks of the same patient. Buccal fat pad extraction surgery is not encouraged for people with thin, narrow faces as removal of the fat may cause the face to look hollower with time.

Close-up of Dr. Shastri performing a procedure. Wearing a surgical mask, glasses, and blue scrubs, he is focused on handling surgical instruments and suture material. The patient's face and part of their body are visible, with surgical equipment and lighting in the blurred background, emphasizing the ongoing procedure. - Buccal Fat Removal in Glenview, IL

What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

Our patients who have received buccal fat removal in Chicago have enjoyed its long-lasting results. Some other benefits include:

Balanced facial anatomy
Boost in self-confidence
More chiseled jawline
More defined cheekbones
No more “baby face”
No visible scarring
V-shaped lower face

Who Are the Best Candidates For Buccal Fat Removal?

The best candidates for buccal fat removal would be those who have rounder faces despite a healthy body weight. A good candidate for buccal fat removal in Chicago will have some of the following characteristics:

Have large buccal fat pads
Low self-esteem due to roundness in their face
Maintain realistic expectations
No underlying medical conditions
Want a chiseled face

Consultation and Assessment

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting buccal fat removal in Chicago at SG Facial Plastic Surgery is to schedule a consultation with our board-certified surgeons. During your consultation, Dr. Shastri or Dr. Gill will discuss your health history, aesthetic goals, and expectations for the procedure. He will also examine your face to see the status of your buccal fat pads. They will identify potential incision sites and take you through the procedure and its associated risks, benefits, results, and recovery expectations. This is a great time to ask any questions you might have so that you are as informed as possible.

If you decide to proceed with the procedure, our board-certified surgeons will design a surgical plan for you. You can take this surgical plan to our patient concierge for scheduling and pricing and to receive any pre-operative instructions to ensure a smooth procedure and recovery.

What to Expect on the Day of Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

On the day of your buccal fat removal in Chicago, Dr. Shastri, Dr. Gill and staff will welcome you and get you settled in our state-of-the-art surgical suite. They will review the surgical plan to answer any outlying questions. Once you are ready to get into surgery, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer local anesthesia.

Once sedated, our board-certified surgeons will skillfully create an incision inside your mouth to minimize any potential scarring. Once the incision is made, he will trim the buccal fat pad. This is sometimes done with liposuction. He will seal the incisions with dissolvable sutures once he feels he has achieved your desired facial contour and symmetry.

Buccal fat removal surgery should take 30 min to an hour on average and without complications.

Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

After surgery, our staff will monitor you in the recovery room to ensure your sedation wears off. Patients are encouraged to have a friend or relative give them a ride home.

Patients should expect minor swelling, discomfort, and bruising. These symptoms should wear off during the first week. Patients are recommended to take a few days off from work and to avoid any strenuous activity, ensuring their mouth area use is minimal.

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost in Chicago, IL?

The cost of buccal fat removal in Chicago varies depending on the complexity of your case and our board-certified surgeons’ fees, among many factors. To get an accurate estimate of the price, patients are recommended to schedule their consultation with Dr. Shastri or Dr. Gill to create a customized surgical plan, which can then be priced out.

Why Choose SG Facial Plastic Surgery?

Choosing SG Facial Plastic Surgery means placing your care in the hands of two fellowship-trained, board-certified facial plastic surgeons whose combined expertise is rarely found under one roof. Dr. Karthik Shastri, recognized as an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia for ranking among the top 5% of students, completed his facial plastic surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and has been honored with multiple awards for his research during residency. Dr. Kurren Gill graduated at the top of his medical school class and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society before completing his fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital — ranked the No. 1 hospital in Illinois and No. 9 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Together, they bring advanced techniques in rhinoplasty, deep-plane facelift, eyelid surgery, facial reanimation, and reconstructive surgery to every patient, backed by a shared commitment to safety, innovation, and natural, long-lasting results — and the added confidence of two expert perspectives guiding every case.

Our in-office surgical suite is fully equipped to handle every procedure we perform, eliminating the need for patients to travel to a separate surgery center or hospital — reflecting our commitment to convenience without ever compromising on the standard of care.

Buccal Fat Removal FAQ’S

Yes, you can! Many of our patients who have received buccal fat removal in Chicago have combined it with other facial contouring procedures, such as a facelift or brow lift. Patients are recommended to share these ideas for these combined procedures with Dr. Shastri during their initial consultation so that he can consider them as he designs their surgical plan.
Buccal fat removal, like any other surgery, has some associated risks. Please read below for some of these:
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Cardiac/ Pulmonary complications
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Fluid Accumulation (seroma)
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Injury to branches of the facial nerve (temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness)
- Numbness or other changes in sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor healing of incisions
- Possible revisional surgery
- Prolonged swelling
- Salivary Duct Injury
- Suboptimal aesthetic results and/or minimal changes
If you experience any of these and are concerned, please contact us at SG Facial Plastic Surgery immediately.

5.0 – 3 Reviews

Mohs Procedure

I had a very minor Mohs procedure about a year ago. It has healed incredibly well and the scar is barely visible (people do not notice it unless I point it out to them). The receptionist at the hospital told me that Dr. Shastri was “phenomenal” and that I was in great hands before my procedure. This was true. As someone else described in a previous review, Dr. Shastri exudes a calm confidence and is gentle. He did an excellent job stitching up my wound and monitoring the scar throughout the healing process. I appreciate his attentiveness; his skillful suturing is like a work of art. I am grateful that I was referred to him by my dermatologist. He is a phenomenal plastic surgeon — both in his work and bedside manner

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Mohs Surgery

Dr. Shastri was very competent at my facial Mohs surgery and thats saying alot, it was major.. His skill is obvious, as more than 15 tiny stitches were virtually painless and will be hard to spot. He was punctual. Clear regarding the procedure. Super bedside manor. Highly recommend him and his staff.

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Skin Cancer

Wonderful! He patiently explained the different types of skins cancers, identified the one I had, then described how he would treat it. He answered all my questions, even the dumb ones. He just exuded a calm competence. For the skin graft, I felt like I’d had the benefit of an artist ad well as a doctor. Mary, the nurse, contributed greatly to making the entire experience positive. The online system for getting an appointment, confirming it and messaging the medical team is complicated, Byzantine, and frustrating, particularly for old guys like me. However it is definitely worth struggling through it. If I could add more stars I would.

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Meet the Doctor

Schedule a Consultation

If you are tired of your baby face, consider learning more about buccal fat removal in Chicago. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Shastri and Dr. Gill, and let their expertise and experience guide you to the best steps forward for a new and rejuvenated look.