For over 20 years, Dr. Lavinia Chong has helped patients in Newport Beach achieve natural-looking facial enhancements through her skill in cosmetic surgery. As a second-generation plastic surgeon, she understands that subtle refinements often yield the most beautiful and lasting results. If you’re considering facial contouring to address fullness in your cheeks, buccal fat removal may provide the natural-looking definition you’re seeking.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal is a precise surgical technique that reduces the natural fat pads located in the deeper layer of the face within the lower cheeks. These fat deposits, while completely normal, can create a rounded or full appearance in the mid-face area. In some cases, buccal fat overgrowth can become more objectionable as it contributes to the formation of mandibular jowls.
Dr. Chong performs this procedure through a small incision inside the mouth, leaving no visible scarring. The technique requires careful evaluation and conservative removal to maintain facial harmony as you age. It’s important to understand that once removed, buccal fat does not regenerate, making this procedure permanent.
Buccal Fat Removal Benefits
Dr. Chong’s approach to buccal fat removal focuses on achieving natural-looking enhancement rather than dramatic change. However, this procedure is only beneficial for candidates who will truly benefit from it. The procedure can provide:
- Enhanced cheek and jawline definition
- Improved facial contours
- Long-lasting results
- Complementary outcomes when combined with facelift procedures
As with all procedures in Dr. Chong’s practice, the goal is enhancement that looks natural and ages well over time.
Buccal Fat Removal Results: Before and After
Results begin to appear within a few weeks as swelling subsides. You’ll see a more contoured cheek and jawline, with results visible after 3–6 months. Because buccal fat doesn’t grow back, these improvements are permanent.
Buccal Fat Removal Candidates
During your consultation, Dr. Chong will evaluate whether buccal fat removal aligns with your aesthetic goals. The procedure may benefit:
Younger, ethnic patients who experience a “chipmunk” appearance when smiling due to prominent buccal fat pads, and seek more defined facial contours.
Heavier, older facelift patients whose facial volume has shifted lower and merged with the jowl area, where buccal fat removal can enhance the overall facelift result by improving jawline definition.
Dr. Chong’s extensive experience allows her to determine whether this procedure will enhance your natural features or if alternative treatments might better serve your goals.
Your Buccal Fat Removal Experience
At her Newport Beach surgical suite, Dr. Chong performs buccal fat removal with the precision and attention to detail that has defined her practice for over two decades.
Consultation: Dr. Chong will evaluate your facial anatomy and discuss your aesthetic goals to determine if buccal fat removal is appropriate for you.
Procedure: The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation. Small incisions inside each cheek allow for the removal of fat in a conservative manner, thereby preserving facial harmony. The procedure can be performed as a standalone treatment for younger patients or in combination with a deep plane facelift for optimal results.
Duration: The procedure generally takes 30-45 minutes and can be performed alone or in combination with other facial procedures.
Recovery and Results
Most patients return to work within 2-3 days, with full activity resumption in approximately one week. Initial results become apparent as swelling subsides, with final results visible after several months.
Because buccal fat does not regenerate, the results are permanent. Dr. Chong’s conservative approach ensures that your enhanced contours will age naturally over time, allowing them to blend seamlessly with your natural appearance.
Why Choose Dr. Chong
As a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience serving Orange County, Dr. Chong brings both technical skill and artistic vision to every procedure. Her focus on natural-looking results means she will only recommend treatments that enhance your features.
Dr. Chong’s reconstructive surgical background equips her with the problem-solving skills and precision necessary to deliver optimal outcomes for her cosmetic surgery patients.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’re considering buccal fat removal, schedule a consultation at Dr. Chong’s Newport Beach practice or browse our other facial surgery procedures. During your visit, she will evaluate whether this procedure aligns with your aesthetic goals and provide honest recommendations for achieving the natural-looking results you desire.
