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Buccal Fat Pad Removal

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Buccal Fat Pad Removal: Custom Cheek Sculpting & Facial Contouring

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Jeff Angobaldo, MD

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon (American Board of Plastic Surgery) | 20+ Years Clinical Practice

Facility: Renaissance Plastic Surgery — QUAD A Accredited Outpatient Surgical Suite, Plano, TX

At a Glance: Buccal Fat Removal in Plano

Procedure ParameterClinical Specifications
Primary IndicationTargeted reduction of persistent, rounded lower cheek fat deposits (“chipmunk cheeks”)
Surgical TechniquePrecision intraoral micro-incision (inside cheek near upper molars); zero visible external scars
Surgical SettingQUAD A Accredited Outpatient Surgical Center (Plano, TX)
Anesthesia TypeLocal anesthesia with light oral sedation or general anesthesia
Procedure Time30 to 45 minutes
Initial Downtime3 to 5 days of light swelling; soft food diet for 5–7 days
Plano / DFW Price Range$3,500 – $6,500 (All-inclusive, depending on anesthesia and combined procedures)

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What Is Buccal Fat Pad Removal?

Buccal fat pad removal (buccal lipectomy) is a targeted facial contouring procedure designed to reduce fullness in the lower cheeks and define the natural hollow beneath your cheekbones.

The buccal fat pad is an encapsulated pocket of deep subcutaneous fat positioned between the facial muscles in your lower cheeks. Because this fat structure resides deep beneath the facial muscles, it is largely genetic and highly resistant to diet, exercise, or body weight loss. Even individuals with a low body fat percentage can retain full, rounded cheeks that obscure their jawline definition.

By selectively harvesting a portion of this deep fat pad through a concealed incision inside the mouth, Dr. Angobaldo creates a subtly sculpted, chiseled lower facial profile without leaving external marks.

Am I a Candidate for Buccal Fat Pad Removal?

Achieving an elegant, natural result with buccal fat removal requires careful anatomical evaluation. Because facial fat naturally thins as we age, proper candidate selection is critical to prevent a hollow or prematurely aged appearance in future years.

Ideal Candidates:

  • Persistent Lower Cheek Fullness: Adults who feel their cheeks are disproportionately round (“baby face”) despite maintaining a healthy, stable weight.

  • Strong Underlying Bone Structure: Patients with good cheekbone (zygomatic) definition who want to highlight the natural shadow beneath their upper face.

  • Good Skin Elasticity: Dermal tissue that readily contracts over newly contoured internal framework.

  • Local Patients Across North Texas: Conveniently located in Plano for patients throughout Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Dallas, and Southlake.

Who Should Consider Alternative Treatments:

  • Naturally Narrow or Slender Faces: Removing buccal fat from an already thin face can lead to a gaunt appearance over time.

  • Patients with Significant Skin Laxity: If lower face softness is caused by sagging skin rather than volume, a Facelift or Submental Liposuction may be recommended instead.

  • Masseter Muscle Enlargement: If lower face width is caused by chewing muscle bulk (often from teeth grinding), Masseter Botox is the preferred first step.

Treatment Comparison: Buccal Fat Removal vs. Masseter Botox vs. Chin Liposuction

Patients searching for lower face slimming in the Dallas-Fort Worth area often explore multiple approaches. Dr. Angobaldo evaluates your underlying facial anatomy to recommend the single most effective treatment:

FeatureBuccal Fat Pad RemovalMasseter Botox (Jaw Slimming)Submental / Chin Liposuction
Primary TargetLower cheek hollows & mid-face roundnessMasseter muscle at rear jaw angleDouble chin & jawline border
Target TissueDeep encapsulated buccal fat padHypertrophied chewing muscleSuperficial submental fat layer
LongevityPermanent (Fat cells do not return)Temporary (Requires treatment every 4–6 months)Permanent (Harvested fat cells do not return)
Incision SiteIntraoral (Inside inner cheek wall)Non-Surgical (Direct muscle injection)Tiny micro-punctures beneath chin
Primary BenefitSculpted cheek shadow & chiseled mid-faceNarrowed lower jawline angleSharp, defined jawline and neck transition

 

The Surgical Process at Our Accredited Plano Suite

For patients visiting our Plano practice from across the DFW metroplex, Dr. Angobaldo performs all facial contouring procedures in our state-of-the-art, QUAD A accredited surgical facility.

  1. Pre-Surgical Marking & Anesthesia: You will meet with Dr. Angobaldo to review your aesthetic goals. Local anesthesia with light oral sedation is administered to ensure complete comfort throughout the 30-to-45-minute procedure.

  2. Concealed Intraoral Incision: Dr. Angobaldo creates a tiny, 1-centimeter incision on the inside of your cheek, positioned above your upper molars.

  3. Selective Fat Extraction: Applying gentle pressure from the outside of the cheek, the buccal fat pad naturally presents through the intraoral opening. Dr. Angobaldo carefully teases out the precise volume needed (typically 2 to 4 cc per side) while protecting the parotid salivary duct and facial nerves.

  4. Dissolvable Closure: The intraoral incisions are closed using dissolvable sutures that naturally break down within 7 to 10 days, leaving zero external scars.

Recovery & Post-Operative Care Timeline

Because the incisions are located inside the mouth, recovery from buccal lipectomy is swift with minimal disruption to your daily routine.

  • Days 1–3 (Initial Recovery & Soft Diet): Expect mild swelling and tightness in the cheeks similar to minor dental work. You will follow a liquid and soft food diet (smoothies, soups, yogurt) and use a specialized antimicrobial mouthwash after eating to protect incision sites.

  • Days 4–7 (Swelling Peaks & Declines): Most patients return to desk work and light social activities within 4 to 5 days. You can gradually transition back to a normal diet as comfortable.

  • Weeks 2–4 (Contour Emergence): Dissolvable sutures disappear. Primary swelling fades, revealing early cheekbone definition and narrower lower cheeks.

  • Months 2–4 (Final Chiseled Results): Residual deep-tissue swelling resolves completely, unveiling your final, sculpted lower face.

Buccal Fat Removal Cost in Plano & DFW

In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the cost of buccal fat pad removal generally ranges from $3,500 to $6,500.

Factors That Influence Your Investment:

  • Surgical & Facility Fees: Surgery performed in a certified QUAD A outpatient suite with hospital-grade safety standards.

  • Anesthesia Level: Local anesthesia vs. twilight or general anesthesia.

  • Combined Contouring: Efficiencies gained when combining buccal fat removal with procedures like Chin Liposuction, Rhinoplasty, or Jawline Fillers.

At Renaissance Plastic Surgery, we provide a transparent, all-inclusive pricing quote during your private consultation with Dr. Angobaldo. We also partner with leading patient financing providers—including CareCredit, Cherry, PatientFi, and Alphaeon—to offer flexible monthly payment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will buccal fat removal make me look old or gaunt later in life?

No—when performed on a properly qualified candidate. Dr. Angobaldo takes a conservative approach, removing only the surplus volume required to define your cheek structure while preserving sufficient foundational fat to maintain long-term youthful softness.

Yes. The fat cells extracted during a buccal lipectomy do not grow back. Your newly defined cheek contours are permanent, provided you maintain a relatively stable overall body weight.

During surgery, local anesthesia completely numbs the target area. Post-operatively, most patients experience mild soreness or tightness similar to dental work, which is easily managed with mild pain medication for the first 24 to 48 hours.

None. Because the incisions are placed entirely inside the mouth on the inner cheek wall, there are zero external scars on your face.

If your procedure is performed under local anesthesia alone, you may drive yourself home afterward. If oral sedation or general anesthesia is utilized, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home to recover.

Why Choose “Dr. Plano” for Your Facial Contouring?

  • 20+ Years of Surgical Practice: Known throughout Plano, Frisco, and North Texas as “Dr. Plano,” Dr. Jeff Angobaldo brings decades of specialized surgical expertise to every facial procedure.

  • QUAD A Accredited Surgical Suite: Enjoy the privacy, comfort, and safety of an accredited surgical center right here in Plano.

  • Direct Surgeon Consultations: You meet directly with Dr. Angobaldo to evaluate your facial anatomy—never a sales representative.

Conveniently Serving North Texas & DFW:

Our Plano surgical center is conveniently located on Ashmill Drive near Legacy West, serving patients from across Plano, Frisco, Dallas, Southlake, Allen, McKinney, and Addison.

  • Address: 5880 Ashmill Drive, Suite 200, Plano, TX 75024

  • Phone: (972) 378-3870

Schedule Your Private Consultation in Plano

Ready to define your cheekbones and reduce lower cheek roundness? Contact Renaissance Plastic Surgery today to reserve your private, one-on-one consultation with Dr. Jeff Angobaldo.

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Phone Number

469-673-0253

Fax: Number

(972) 378-7977

Location

5880 Ashmill Drive STE 200 PLANO, TX 75024

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We understand that flexibility in payment is important. That’s why we’ve partnered with top-tier financing services to offer solutions that fit your budget. Below, you’ll find a list of our trusted partners, each with a brief description to help you choose the best option.

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