Am I A Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?

Posted on March, 13, 2025 by Dr. Paquet in Buccal Fat Removal, Surgical Procedures,

Buccal fat removal is only growing in popularity. You may have heard of buccal fat removal on social media or in relation to your favorite celebrities – but before you schedule a consultation, it’s important to know whether you’re a good candidate. Buccal fat removal isn’t for everyone, and you should know whether you’ll get the results you want before you go under. Here’s what to know about buccal fat removal, who is a good candidate, and how Dr. Christian Paquet can help.

What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a facial plastic surgery procedure that removes the buccal fat pads, or the pads of fat cells in the cheeks. It’s a form of cheek reduction surgery that can slim the face, creating a more defined, sculpted look. With less facial fat, you can appear more mature, especially if you appear too young for your age. It’s a quick and easy way to improve facial aesthetics in certain patients.

What Factors Affect Candidacy?

Candidacy for a buccal fat procedure can be more selective than other plastic surgery procedures because it may not produce good results in certain people. Let’s take an in-depth look at how the results can differ depending on various factors.

Facial Aesthetics

The best candidates for buccal fat pad removal are those who have “chubby cheeks.” The buccal fat pads are most prominent when we’re children, and they naturally lose fat over time as we become adults. In some people, too much buccal fat can make the face plump and round, creating a “baby face.”

People with these concerns are generally good candidates, but there are important caveats. If your face is too thin, removing the buccal fat pads can make it appear gaunt. Dr. Paquet will carefully assess your facial aesthetics to determine whether your appearance will be positively or negatively affected by removing the buccal fat pads.

Age

Age plays a big role in buccal fat removal surgery. As we age, the buccal fat pads play a big role in maintaining volume, keeping us looking young. If you’re seeing signs of aging, removing the buccal fat pads can work against you, causing sagging, lines, and wrinkles. Buccal fat removal works best in younger patients – ideally young adults – who look younger than their age because of chubby cheeks.

Weight

Your overall weight can be important in buccal fat pad reduction. If you are working on losing weight for your overall physical journey, Dr. Paquet may recommend waiting to see what changes occur because the buccal fat pads may shrink. However, in some people, the buccal fat pads are prominent even at a healthy weight. Dr. Paquet will carefully asses your body composition and what you can expect from a cosmetic procedure.

Aging Pattern

The way that you’re expected to age can steer your buccal fat removal procedure. Dr. Paquet may ask to see pictures of your older relatives to see how they’ve aged and what you can reasonably expect. For example, if your older relatives all have jowls and sagging around their cheeks, removing the buccal fat pads may make you more likely to experience these concerns. This doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t a good candidate, but that you may need to consider further treatments like fillers in the future.

Expectations

Dr. Paquet will talk with you about your expectations during a consultation. It’s important to realize that buccal fat removal won’t make you look like a celebrity or give you cut cheeks, but it can give you a thinner face and reduce the prominence of your cheeks. Having realistic expectations for what buccal fat removal can achieve is key to getting good results.

How to Know If You’re a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal

The most important step in knowing whether you’re a good candidate for buccal fat pad excision is meeting with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Paquet. He can discuss the above factors and offer his years of experience in facial aesthetics to help you understand your procedure and how it can boost your confidence. While research can help you learn more about the treatment as a whole, the only way to know for sure whether or not it’s right for you is to meet with a specialist.

Buccal Fat Removal in Tempe, AZ

Buccal fat removal can help you look more mature and experienced if you’re suffering from a child-like visage. To schedule a consultation and learn more about buccal fat removal, contact our Tempe area office today by calling or filling out our online form.