Is Buccal Fat Removal painful?

The procedure itself is painless as it’s performed under anesthesia. Pain during recovery is very mild, described mostly as soreness, and can typically be managed with over-the-counter medication.

How many appointments will I need?

You will only require one surgical appointment, however, you will be needed to return to our office for a check-up with Dr. Warren so that he can monitor your recovery process. While every patient will have a different recovery, you should expect to require additional check-up appointments at Dr. Warren’s discretion.

How long until I see results?

There may be a visible change after your surgery, but you will be swollen and bruised. Your final results should become evident after two to four months as the swelling subsides and the buccal space contracts.

Can I combine Buccal Fat Removal with other procedures?

Yes! Many of our New York City Buccal Fat Removal patients will combine their treatment with other facial contouring procedures, such as a Facelift , Facial Liposuction , or Brow Lift . To find out which procedure will be best for you, no matter if it’s surgical or non-surgical, for your face or body, please mention your aesthetic goals to Dr. Warren and he will be happy to provide his expert opinions.

What are the risks associated with Buccal Fat Removal?

With any surgical procedure, there are risks associated. It is essential to take the time to think through these and discuss them with Dr. Warren before making your final decisions. Some of the risks may include: Anesthesia risks Asymmetry Bleeding Cardiac/ Pulmonary complications Deep vein thrombosis Fluid accumulation (seroma) Hematoma Infection Injury to branches of the facial nerve (temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness) Numbness or other changes in sensation Persistent pain Poor healing of incisions Possible revisional surgery Prolonged swelling Salivary duct Injury Suboptimal aesthetic results and/or minimal changes If you do experience any long-lasting or concerning reactions, please contact our office immediately.

Stephen M. Warren MD, FACS

Buccal Fat Removal

What is a Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal Fat Removal, also referred to as Cheek Fat Reduction surgery or a Bichectomy, is a popular aesthetic surgical procedure that can accentuate the contours of your face by reducing the fullness of your cheek area. This causes your face to look slimmer and gives you the popular “high cheekbone” look.

Introduction to Buccal Fat Removal

The buccal fat pads occupy the deep tissue space in your cheeks cushioning the areas between your chewing and animation muscles. While buccal fat pads play an important role, some people’s pads are disproportionately large for their face. These large buccal fat pads give a chubby or “chipmunk cheek” appearance which can affect self confidence. Buccal Fat Removal in New York City from Stephen Warren, M.D. offers our patients an opportunity to change the contours of the lower third of their face to achieve a softer, svelte, submalar contour. Below, we have included some information regarding this aesthetic procedure.

Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal

What are the benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

Some of the major benefits our New York City Buccal Fat Removal patients have seen from their treatment include:

A more balanced overall facial shape
Create a more slender, v-shaped lower facial contour
Enhance the appearance of high cheekbones
Improve definition of the cheeks and jawline
No visible scarring
Reduce excessive cheek fullness

Who are the best candidates for the Buccal Fat Removal procedure?

Best Candidates For Buccal Fat Removal

You could be a great candidate for Buccal Fat Removal in the greater NYC area if you have the following characteristics:

At a healthy and stable weight
Dislike the fullness of your cheeks
Have realistic expectations from surgical outcome
Low self-esteem due to your facial anatomy
Overall good physical health

The First Steps

What’s The First Step?

Getting buccal fat removal in New York City can be a very rewarding procedure, especially if done in the expert hands of Dr. Stephen Warren. If you’re interested in the surgical treatment, you should book a consultation by either giving us a call or filling out a contact form. Our office team will be happy to schedule a time to come and meet one-on-one with Dr. Warren. You’ll be able to ask questions, learn more about the procedure, and listen to Dr. Warren’s expert recommendations.

If buccal fat removal is the best solution for your needs, surgery will be booked for a time that provides you with a few days of recovery following surgery. Dr. Warren will have specific questions about your health, past surgeries, and medications. We’ll also want to know if you smoke cigarettes.

It is vital to be honest with Dr. Warren when having your consultation as the information you provide him will help reduce any potential unnecessary risks and give you the best possible surgical outcome with results that you’ll love!

What to expect on the day of Buccal Fat Removal surgery

On the day of your surgery, you will meet with Dr. Warren so he can review the details of your procedure one more time. Once you are ready, the Anesthesiologist will administer either local or general anesthesia for your comfort.

Once sedated, your mouth will be opened at a comfortable level and your cheek will be gently retracted. Dr. Warren will make a very small incision inside the cheek to identify the buccal fat pad. He will then gently tease the fat out of its pocket to remove it. Once the fat is removed, Dr. Warren will place two or three dissolvable stitches to close the incision. The entire surgery should take under one hour, but can vary from patient to patient.

How much does Buccal Fat Removal cost in New York City, NY?

The cost of Buccal Fat Removal in New York City can vary on many factors. The best way to get the most accurate cost is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Warren. After your consultation, your surgical plan will be created which our Patient Coordinator will be able to use to provide you with a full breakdown of all the costs associated with the procedure.

Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

You will be monitored in our recovery room after your surgery, but once you are cleared to leave, you can return home to rest. You should expect some swelling and bruise along with discomfort in your lower face. Most patients find recovery to be generally easy and painless. The swelling will peak after about two days and then subside in the next two weeks. During this process, you should avoid strenuous activity and follow a soft food or liquid diet to avoid aggravating the areas of your mouth that are healing.

During recovery, it’s important to be careful not to bite down on the cheek area so that the incision can heal properly and the sutures can dissolve. You may be able to return to work after one week of recovery depending on your case and how extensive the surgery was. Dr. Warren will provide you with specific care instructions to follow, including any pain medication or antibiotics to take, and will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that you are healing properly.

Choose us for Buccal Fat Removal Surgery in New York, NY

Why choose Dr. Warren?

Dr. Stephen M. Warren is a tenured Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine, past Director of the Variety Center for Craniofacial Surgery, and past Director of the Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship program at NYU Langone Medical Center. Dr. Warren is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) who has won many major awards in plastic surgery and has been honored with numerous Visiting Professorships in the United States and abroad. He is also a frequent lecturer on aesthetic surgery, cleft and craniofacial surgery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine all over the world.

Schedule Consultation

A Buccal Fat Removal in New York City from Stephen Warren, M.D. can do so much to help you achieve a slimmer, more contoured face and achieve your aesthetic goals. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Warren, please call our practice or use our Contact page to schedule your appointment and a member of our team will contact you.

Stephen M. Warren, MD, FACS

Buccal Fat Removal FAQ's

You will only require one surgical appointment, however, you will be needed to return to our office for a check-up with Dr. Warren so that he can monitor your recovery process. While every patient will have a different recovery, you should expect to require additional check-up appointments at Dr. Warren’s discretion.
Yes! Many of our New York City Buccal Fat Removal patients will combine their treatment with other facial contouring procedures, such as a Facelift, Facial Liposuction, or Brow Lift. To find out which procedure will be best for you, no matter if it’s surgical or non-surgical, for your face or body, please mention your aesthetic goals to Dr. Warren and he will be happy to provide his expert opinions.
With any surgical procedure, there are risks associated. It is essential to take the time to think through these and discuss them with Dr. Warren before making your final decisions. Some of the risks may include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Cardiac/ Pulmonary complications
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Injury to branches of the facial nerve (temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness)
- Numbness or other changes in sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor healing of incisions
- Possible revisional surgery
- Prolonged swelling
- Salivary duct Injury
- Suboptimal aesthetic results and/or minimal changes
If you do experience any long-lasting or concerning reactions, please contact our office immediately.

Interior photo of Dr. Stephen M. Warren's practice

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What Patients have
To say about our practice

Sarah b.

Dr Warren is one of the world most talented surgeon that i have ever had the pleasure of meeting. My son's medical challenges started 16 years ago, at birth. Dr Warren recommended and performed a brilliant, genius surgery to rectify facial symmetry caused by a tumor.

Samantha F.

Dr Warren is patient, systematic, thorough, a true perfectionist. I have the highest regard for everything Dr Warren did before, during and post surgery. Dr Warren made himself accessible around the clock to ensure that my son was taken care of every single step of the way.

Debbie G.

Dr. Warren did my sons cleft lip/gum/nose surgery and will be doing his palate surgery. He not only is a fantastic surgeon but he has an incredible bedside manner, explains everything thoroughly, and is in such constant communication with us, we don’t feel we need a whole “team”.

Robert A.

Dr. Warren is a consummate professional and an incredibly skilled surgeon. He has an amazing and comforting bedside manner that is equally met by his successful results as a surgeon.