Buccal fat removal first began trending after Chrissy Teigen revealed she underwent the procedure to thin her cheeks.
The process, while minimally invasive, has doctors polarized on its sudden popularity.
We asked two board-certified plastic surgeons to explain what the procedure is.
With the rise in discussions surrounding plastic surgery over the last few years, cosmetic procedures have begun to seem more accessible than ever. The procedures that have taken center stage have been ones that yield more extreme results, like the Brazilian butt lift or breast augmentation, but there is one procedure, in particular, that is rising in popularity: buccal fat removal surgery – and it has the medical community divided.
Buccal fat removal has been trending on TikTok ever since Chrissy Teigen revealed she underwent the procedure to thin her cheeks. The procedure, also called buccal fat pad excision, is regarded as the secret to “Instagram cheekbones.” Social media platforms have been flooded with people showing off their transformation from fuller faces to more chiseled cheeks, documenting what they looked like the days leading up to the procedure versus after they healed.
But what exactly does the procedure entail? We spoke with board-certified plastic surgeons Raymond Douglas, MD, PhD, and Darren Smith, MD, FACS, to find out what you should know before getting the surgery, who the best candidates are, and the pros and cons of getting the procedure done. From insurance coverage to longevity of the results and everything in between, read ahead to find out what you should know before getting a buccal fat removal procedure done.
What Is a Buccal Fat Pad Excision?
“Buccal fat pad excisions involve removing a small amount of fat from the lower cheeks (near the corners of the mouth) and results in a slimmer lower facial third,” Dr. Smith tells POPSUGAR. “It can also help accentuate the cheekbones, as these are above the area from which fat is removed.”
Unlike cheek filler, which is meant to add targeted volume and plumpness to the area, this procedure is intended to make the cheekbones appear more prominent in comparison to the rest of the face. Dr. Douglas adds: “Its size and shape varies greatly from patient to patient, but for everyone, it contributes to the face shape.” Not only that, but it also provides “cushioning between the teeth and jaw.”