Procedures / Face /
Buccal Fat Reduction
Procedure
Sculpted contour, buccal fat reduction.
A slimmer, more defined mid-face.
A Considered Approach
Contour, when done well, ages with you.
Buccal fat reduction targets the natural fat pads located in the lower cheeks, tissue that's typically resistant to diet and exercise. By removing a portion of this fat, the cheeks appear slimmer and more contoured, which can be especially beneficial for patients with naturally fuller or "chipmunk" cheeks.
The Technique
Three Principles behind Every Procedure.
Buccal fat reduction sculpts the midface with a permanent, carefully calibrated result. Every plan follows the same three principles:
01
Intraoral Incision
The incision is made inside the mouth near the upper back molars, so there's no visible scarring.
02
Quick, In-Office Procedure
Performed under local anesthesia with or without sedation, the fat pad is carefully removed and closed with dissolvable stitches; the full procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.
03
Careful Calibration
Because buccal fat reduction is not reversible and the face naturally loses fat with age, the amount removed is calibrated to avoid a gaunt appearance later in life.
Inside the Procedure
From first conversation, to final follow-up.
01
Consultation
A private consultation to assess cheek fullness and long-term facial balance goals.
02
Treatment Planning
A tailored plan determines how much fat to remove for lasting, proportionate results.
03
Treatment Day
Performed under local anesthesia with sedation through an incision inside the mouth; the procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour.
04
Recovery
Dissolvable stitches resolve on their own, with follow-up check-ins as swelling subsides.
Inside the Procedure
Is Buccal Fat Reduction right for you?
The honest answer is: sometimes, and sometimes not. Below is a starting framework — the final answer comes from a real conversation.
Often a Good Fit
Good skin elasticity
Naturally fuller or rounder cheeks
Wants a more sculpted midface
Worth Discussing First
Thinner faces or concerns about long-term facial volume loss with age
Surgery is a quiet art. The best results don't announce themselves; they simply look right.
Dr. John Luck
Recovery Timeline
What to expect.
Advanced techniques and intraoperative nerve blocking minimize discomfort and accelerate your return to daily life.
01
Days 1–3
Swelling inside the cheeks and mild discomfort while eating.
02
First Week
Dissolvable stitches begin to resolve; swelling steadily decreases.
03
Weeks 2–4
Final contour becomes more visible as swelling fully subsides.
Enhance Your Results
Frequently combined with.
Many patients choose to combine procedures for a more harmonious and comprehensive outcome.
Begin the Conversation
Schedule a buccal fat reduction consultation
Ninety unhurried minutes with Dr. Luck, in a setting designed for real conversation. No pressure — only a plan.
Common Questions
Answered with candor.
Will there be visible scarring?
No, the incision is made inside the mouth, so there's no visible facial scarring.
Is the procedure reversible?
No, buccal fat reduction is permanent, which is why the amount removed is carefully calibrated to your face and long-term goals.
How long does it take?
The procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour and can be performed in-office under local anesthesia with sedation.