Buccal Fat Removal

in San Francisco, CA

Introduction

Introduction to Buccal Fat Removal

For patients unhappy with the appearance of bulging, overly round cheeks, buccal fat removal offers an elegant cosmetic transformation and enhanced confidence. This straightforward surgical procedure removes buccal fat in the midface to create a more streamlined, sculpted appearance and reflect the universally coveted V-shaped facial contour. Double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Meaghan Noud in San Francisco, CA, performs buccal fat removal with nuance, artistry, and precision, helping patients to achieve the attractive look they desire.

A low-angle, profile portrait of a woman with a defined jawline and sculpted cheeks, highlighting the aesthetic results typically sought through buccal fat removal.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is an aesthetic procedure to reduce fullness and roundness in the cheeks, slimming the area and creating more prominent cheekbones. For those who complain of “chipmunk-like” cheeks or a “baby face,” buccal fat removal can be a highly satisfying and transformative solution, helping patients achieve a more positive self-image and increased self-esteem.

Dr. Noud in San Francisco is an experienced, double-board-certified facial expert whose attention to detail and passion for excellence ensure balanced results. She removes just the right amount of fat to enhance your facial shape without leaving you looking gaunt or emaciated. Natural-looking changes are Dr. Noud’s forte, and she always personalizes her approach to your unique goals and preferences.

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Who Are the Best Candidates For Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is suitable for healthy, non-smoking men and women of all ages who are unhappy with overly prominent cheeks and desire slimmer facial contours. Many patients find that buccal fat does not respond to diet and exercise, leaving them frustrated with their appearance.

For those seeking facial contouring in San Francisco, Dr. Noud can perform buccal fat removal with skill and artistry, ensuring a natural-looking, customized result.

The doctor will complete a thorough preliminary consultation to ensure the procedure can be performed safely and effectively and that your expectations for your results are realistic. While buccal fat removal yields excellent results on its own, it is often combined with other facial rejuvenation techniques, such as jawline contouring or a lip lift, to deliver more comprehensive improvements.

What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

When choosing buccal fat removal at Statera Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in San Francisco, CA, patients enjoy a wealth of powerful benefits, including the following:

  • Enhances definition, balance, and sculpting in the midface
  • Creates a slimmer, more streamlined facial shape
  • Helps patients look more mature and “adult.”
  • Results in natural-looking weight loss
  • Effective when dieting and exercise have failed to contour the face
  • Improves facial symmetry
  • Boosts confidence
  • Lasting, natural-looking changes

What’s the First Step?

Buccal fat removal begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Noud and her knowledgeable team in San Francisco, CA. During this initial visit, the doctor will discuss your goals and vision for your appearance, answer your questions, and begin designing an individualized treatment plan that accomplishes your goals.

Dr. Noud will also review your medical history and complete a physical assessment. Upon the completion of your consultation, you will have a clear understanding of the risks, benefits, downtime, costs, and other details associated with buccal fat removal. Once you decide to move forward, we will schedule your procedure and provide preparation guidelines to help make your treatment journey seamless and stress-free.

A patient coordinator in a black top sits in a cream-colored chair, carefully reviewing a treatment brochure with a client.

What to Expect on the Day of Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

Buccal fat removal is performed in-office at Dr. Noud’s state-of-the-art, well-equipped facility in San Francisco. The doctor typically uses local anesthesia and oral sedation, although general anesthesia may be an option if other cosmetic procedures are being performed at the same time. Rest assured that your treatment will be comfortable and pain-free.

To begin, Dr. Noud will mark the salivary duct to protect it during treatment. Next, she will make a small incision inside the mouth at the rear of the cheek lining to access the buccal fat pads. Excess fat is then precisely extracted through the incision with a focus on symmetry and balance on both sides of the face. Once all changes have been made, Dr. Noud will close your incisions with dissolvable sutures. Any scarring occurs on the inside of the cheeks, hidden from view.

Dr. Meaghan Noud in her white lab coat, holding an anatomical skull model to explain deep-plane facial structures to a patient.
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Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Buccal Fat Removal Care

After your procedure, you may experience midface swelling for a few days. Bruising and soreness are also common side effects. To alleviate discomfort, you can apply ice to the area and take pain medications. You will also need to use an antiseptic mouthwash. Sutures dissolve on their own with time.

Due to residual swelling, it may take 3-6 months for the full benefits of your procedure to be realized, so please be patient during the healing process. If any questions or concerns arise during recovery, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Noud and her team in San Francisco for a prompt response.

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost in San Francisco, CA?

The cost of buccal fat removal in San Francisco can vary, as Dr. Noud customizes each procedure to individual goals, anatomy, and preferences. Pricing can also vary based on the specific techniques Dr. Noud selects and whether your procedure is paired with other aesthetic options, such as lip augmentation, BOTOX, or fillers. We will provide personalized pricing after we complete your initial consultation and medical assessment.

Why Choose Dr. Noud?

Dr. Meaghan Noud in San Francisco, CA, has dedicated her career to delivering exemplary results and providing a compassionate, safety-oriented approach to care. She uses evidence-based solutions and advanced techniques to create the youthful, energized appearance you desire. Dr. Noud is double-board-certified in ​​Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is an active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPRS), making her an excellent choice for buccal fat removal in the Bay Area.

A native Californian, Dr. Noud completed her medical degree at UCLA in the College of Applied Anatomy before embarking on a demanding residency at the top-ranked, five-year surgical training program in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Noud was then selected into one of the most prestigious fellowship programs in the country for Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California, Davis, completed under the auspices of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPRS).

Dr. Noud has successfully performed over 3,000 surgical procedures with skill, precision, and artistry, and has mentored numerous residents and medical students in her role as an educator. She currently serves as the Medical Director of Lift Aesthetics in Napa and also sees new patients at Statera Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in San Francisco.

Buccal Fat Removal FAQ’S

Schedule Your Consultation

Reach out to Statera Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in San Francisco, CA, today to book an initial consultation with Dr. Noud, a double-board-certified facial specialist serving patients in and beyond the Bay Area. The doctor welcomes your questions and will help you get started along the road to a slimmer, more streamlined midface appearance with buccal fat removal.