How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost?

Buccal fat removal costs $2,900 on average, according to 671 reviews from RealSelf members who've had the procedure.

The price of this cheek reduction surgery (also called a bichectomy or buccal lipectomy) can range from just $1000 for a simple procedure to as much as $9,000 for a combination of buccal fat removal and complementary treatments, such as FaceTite skin tightening or an eye lift.

Read on to find out:

• all the fees that should be included in your total cost quote
• whether real patients think the results of this cosmetic surgery are worth the money
• why buccal fat removal surgery prices vary so much
• average costs near you

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Buccal Fat Removal

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What does the price include?

During your initial consultation with a plastic surgeon, ask for a detailed quote for your total buccal fat surgery cost, including:

• The consultation fee (often applied to the price of your procedure)
• The surgeon’s fee
• The cost of local anesthesia and sedation
• Facility fees for the surgery center, if they’re not performing it in their office
• Surgical supply cost
• Post-op prescription medications (antibiotics, pain killers)
• Follow-up appointments

Asking for a written estimate can help you avoid any unpleasant surprises when the bill comes.

Also ask whether you’ll need to pay for any prescription pain medication or recovery supplies, such as a supportive chin strap to help reduce swelling.

Is buccal fat removal worth the money?

Buccal fat removal surgery has a 92% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, meaning that a solid majority think that the final results of their facial plastic surgery were worth the price tag.

Many of those who say their procedure was “Worth It” reported a subtle but noticeable improvement in their facial contours once their buccal fat pads were reduced. Some say that they went from feeling like their cheeks always looked chubby (with “chipmunk cheeks” or “baby face” look) to feeling much more confident in their facial appearance. Others say the procedure was painless and relatively quick.

“When done properly, buccal fat removal is an excellent way to contour your face and refine your cheeks,” says Dr. Joubin Gabbay, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. “It is particularly effective in those who have full cheeks despite moving beyond their teen years or even after weight loss with diet and exercise.” 

Results are permanent, even if you gain weight, which makes this a one-time investment. 

However, it’s important to be aware that buccal fat reduction is a controversial procedure, with much debate swirling around the procedure’s potential for premature aging. Most plastic surgeons agree that if too much fat is removed, or if any amount of buccal fat is taken from an inappropriate candidate, then patients can eventually appear gaunt, sunken, and old before their time. 

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that most surgeons “don’t remove the entire fat pad and prefer to tailor the amount they take out to the patient's unique anatomy.” But among reviewers on RealSelf who say buccal fat reduction is “Not Worth It,” the most common reason was that their result is too extreme, with a gaunt appearance in their lower cheeks that made them look older. Some even say they’re considering facial fat grafting to restore some of the lost volume. Asymmetrical results were also a concern, in some cases.

“Facial contouring is a very delicate and very thoughtful procedure that should be done by an expert who understands all of the intricacies,” says Dr. Gabbay. “The important thing is to perform the operation properly, taking out only enough fat to give an excellent result, not so much as to prematurely age somebody.”

As you’re selecting your surgeon, pay close attention to reviews from their buccal fat removal patients, make sure they have an extensive before and after photo gallery for this procedure, and ask how many times they perform it each month. Then talk with your prospective surgeon about how much fat they would plan to remove, to give you the best cosmetic result.

Related: Reversing Buccal Fat Removal is Now a Thing. Here’s How Doctors are Fixing Gaunt Cheeks.

RealSelf Tip: If you’re not ready for surgery or aren’t a good candidate, consider injectable cheek fillers, which can temporarily create more defined cheekbones, adding structure to a full face. Cheek fillers cost $1,592 on average, and results usually last a year or more. Cheekbone augmentation with fillers may not make your lower cheeks look less full, but it can create a more sculpted facial contour, without the risks of surgery.

Why does the cost of buccal fat removal vary?

These are the biggest factors that impact the cost of buccal fat removal procedures.

1. Your surgeon’s credentials, reputation, and level of experience.

Buccal fat pad removal seems straightforward: a plastic surgeon makes a small incision on the inside of the cheek (so there’s no visible scarring) and selectively removes cheek fat, to create a slimmer facial contour, before stitching up the inner cheek.

However, this surgical procedure should still be performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon. They should be able to best assess whether you’re an appropriate candidate for the procedure—key to ensuring a good long-term outcome—and will know how to create the best result, while avoiding complications. Buccal lipectomy carries risks in inexperienced hands, including infection, bleeding, and potential damage to facial nerves and salivary glands.

The most experienced plastic surgeons will charge more: in fact, some of the most in-demand providers charge as much as $40,000. That said, you can find much more reasonably priced procedures from highly competent providers. 

Just don’t make your decision based on who quotes you the cheapest price. Buccal fat reduction is not an easily reversible procedure. 

2. Their practice location.

Plastic surgeons practicing in areas where the cost of living is high charge more, to help cover their own expenses.

For example:

• The average buccal fat removal cost in expensive cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles is $6,000, according to patient reviews. 
• Data from recent patient reviews on RealSelf puts the average buccal fat removal cost in New York City at $4,000.
• In far more affordable West Palm Beach, Florida, reviewers on RealSelf say they paid $2,800 on average.

If you live in a high-cost area but are willing to travel for your procedure, you may be able to save a few thousand dollars. Just make sure you thoroughly research your plastic surgeon and have a thorough virtual consultation before you book.

3. Where your surgery is performed.

This outpatient procedure is usually performed in a private surgery center or in the physician’s office, which comes with lower facility fees than a hospital operating room.

4. The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it.

In most cases, the face-slimming cheek reduction surgery is performed with local anesthesia and, possibly, an oral sedative to relax you—both of which are much less expensive than general anesthesia. 

“In my practice, I routinely perform buccal fat removal under pure local anesthesia, with no sedation,” says New York City plastic surgeon Dr. John Mesa. “Therefore, patients save on the cost of the hospital operating room and anesthesiologist.”

5. The complexity of your procedure.

Buccal fat pad removal can be performed in combination with other facial plastic surgery procedures, for more complete facial sculpting.

For example, chin liposuction or a chin implant can create a more defined jawline. If you have jowling or sagging skin in the lower face, your provider may recommend FaceTite or a mini facelift.

Another popular combination is facial fat transfer, to create “a more ‘ideal,’ heart-shaped face,” says Dr. Benjamin Caughlin, a facial plastic surgeon in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. “It may seem counterintuitive to add fat, when you say your problem is fat cheeks. What we do is add fat around the cheeks, to the side of the highest and most projected point of the cheekbone, and taper it to the lower face to camouflage overly chubby cheeks. This is especially helpful in thin women—and in combination with buccal fat pad removal is a powerful maneuver.” 

Adding another procedure to your treatment plan will increase the total cost of your cheek reduction surgery, but it can be more cost effective than having the procedures separately, since you’ll only pay for things like anesthesia and the facility fee once. Surgeons often discount their fee for each additional procedure, too.

Can you finance buccal fat removal?

Most practices offer payment plans or accept third-party financing options. For example, the CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.

Where can I find buccal fat removal surgeons near me?

The best way to get a personalized buccal fat removal cost estimate (and confirm that you’re a good candidate) is to consult with at least one qualified plastic surgeon—ideally two or more, so you can compare their treatment plans and price quotes.

We make it easy to find qualified buccal fat removal surgeons in your area. Look for RealSelf Verified doctors to ensure that they have licensing in good medical standing, high patient-satisfaction ratings, and a commitment to responsive care.

Buccal fat removal costs in U.S. states

Browse average buccal fat removal costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Buccal fat removal costs in major U.S. metros