Buccal Fat
Removal
Slim full, round lower cheeks for a more sculpted, contoured face in Austin — through a hidden incision inside the mouth, often under local anesthesia, by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Levesque.
A more sculpted cheek and jawline
Buccal fat removal — sometimes called cheek reduction — removes a portion of the buccal fat pad, a discrete pocket of fat that sits in the lower cheek. Reducing it slims full, round cheeks, adds definition beneath the cheekbone, and can sharpen the transition to the jawline for a more contoured look.
It’s a small procedure with an outsized effect on facial shape. The incision is hidden inside the mouth — so there’s no external scar — and for the right candidate it can be done in the office under local anesthesia, keeping it comfortable and affordable. The key is judgment: how much to remove, and whether you’re the right candidate at all.
Is it right for you?
Buccal fat removal is permanent, and everyone loses facial volume with age — so honest candidate selection matters more here than almost anywhere else on the face. Dr. Levesque will tell you the truth, even if that means recommending against it.
Often a good fit
- Full, round lower cheeks (“chipmunk cheeks”) you’d like slimmer
- A wish for more cheekbone and jawline definition
- Good skin quality and a stable weight
- Realistic goals for a subtle, natural refinement
Usually not ideal
- Naturally thin or narrow faces (risk of a gaunt look)
- Older patients who have already lost facial volume
- Wanting a dramatic change from a small procedure
- Fullness that’s from skin or muscle rather than the fat pad
Sometimes the more youthful result comes from adding volume in the right places rather than removing it — Dr. Levesque will help you find the right balance.
Quick, hidden, and precise
Through a small incision on the inside of the cheek, Dr. Levesque gently teases out the buccal fat pad and removes a conservative, measured amount — enough to refine the contour while protecting your face against looking hollow as you age. The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures, leaving no visible scar.
The whole thing typically takes about 30–45 minutes and, for suitable candidates, is performed in the office under local anesthesia — no general anesthesia, no facility fee. It also pairs well with a facelift, neck lift, chin work, or facial fat grafting when a fuller reshaping is the goal.
Conservative, by design
The most common mistake with buccal fat removal is taking too much — a slim look at 30 can become a gaunt, aged look at 45. As a plastic surgeon who performs deep plane facelifts, Dr. Levesque understands facial fat compartments and how a face ages from the inside out. That perspective is exactly why he removes conservatively and, when it’s the better answer, tells you to keep your buccal fat. Your treatment is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, start to finish.
What to expect
First few days
Mild swelling and a soft diet with saltwater rinses to keep the inside-cheek incision clean. Discomfort is usually minimal.
Back to life
Most people return to work within a few days. Swelling can briefly make cheeks look fuller before they slim down.
Your result
The refined contour emerges over several weeks to a couple of months as swelling fully resolves. The result is permanent.
Pricing
Because it’s often performed in the office under local anesthesia — with no facility or anesthesia fee — buccal fat removal is one of the more affordable facial procedures. Dr. Levesque provides a transparent quote at your consultation. We perform it as a self-pay procedure; financing is available through CareCredit, Alphaeon, Cherry, and PatientFi. See the full price menu.
A small change with a defining effect
The buccal fat pads sit in the lower cheeks and, in some faces, contribute to a fuller, rounder look. Buccal fat removal reduces these pads through a small incision inside the mouth — so there are no visible scars — to bring out more definition below the cheekbone and along the mid-face. It’s a modest, targeted procedure most often done under local anesthesia, sometimes combined with other facial work.
Is it right for you?
The best candidates have naturally full lower cheeks and want more contour. Because faces gradually lose volume with age, careful judgment matters — removing too much, or treating a face that’s already slim, can look hollow over time. Dr. Levesque will assess whether buccal fat reduction genuinely suits your facial structure and long-term aging, and will advise against it when it doesn’t.
Recovery is straightforward: expect swelling for a couple of weeks, a short period of soft foods, and a saltwater rinse to keep the incisions clean. The refined contour settles in as swelling resolves, and the result is permanent.
- Fuller, rounder lower cheeks
- Want more definition beneath the cheekbone
- Stable weight and realistic goals
- Healthy, non-smoking, good oral health