Buccal fat removal costs $4,636 on average, according to 95 patient reviews. The price of this cheek reduction surgery (also called a bichectomy or buccal lipectomy) can range from just $2,000 to $11,500.
The most experienced, in-demand plastic surgeons will charge even more: in fact, some social media-famous surgeons charge as much as $40,000.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons cites an average surgeon’s fee of $3,142 for buccal fat removal. Other expenses, like anesthesia or facility fees, can dramatically increase your total cost.
Read on to find out:
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Buccal Fat Removal
During your initial consultation with a plastic surgeon, ask for a detailed quote for your total buccal fat surgery cost, including the:
Asking for a written estimate can help you avoid a surprise when you get the bill.
Buccal fat removal surgery has a 93% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, so a solid majority think the final results of their facial plastic surgery were worth the expense.
Those who say their procedure was “Worth It” often reported a subtle but noticeable improvement in their facial contours and facial aesthetics once their buccal fat pads were reduced.
Some say that they went from feeling like their cheeks always looked chubby (with “chipmunk cheeks” or a “baby face” look) to feeling much more confident.
Others say the procedure was painless and relatively quick, with small incisions and limited sutures inside the mouth, plus minimal recovery time.
“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. “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.”
One of the benefits of buccal fat removal is that results are permanent even after weight gain, 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 (like those with sagging skin and jowls), then patients can appear gaunt, sunken, and old before their time.
Related: Reversing Buccal Fat Removal is Now a Thing. Here’s How Doctors are Fixing Gaunt Cheeks.
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 sunken appearance in their lower cheeks that made them look older. Some even say they’re considering facial fat grafting or reconstructive surgery to restore some of the lost volume. Asymmetry was 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.
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 and add structure to a full face. Cheek fillers cost $1,592 on average, and results can last a year or more. Cheekbone augmentation with fillers won’t make your lower cheeks look less full, but it can create a more sculpted facial contour, without the risks of surgery.
These are the biggest factors that impact the cost of buccal fat removal procedures.
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.
This surgical procedure should still be performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon, who can assess whether you’re an appropriate candidate for the procedure—key to ensuring a good long-term outcome—and 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.
It’s possible to find reasonably priced procedures from highly competent providers. Patient reviews and photos can help you assess who can give you the kind of result you’re after, but it’s also important to pay attention to their credentials and ask how frequently they perform this procedure.
The bottom line: Don’t make your decision based on who quotes you the cheapest price. Buccal fat reduction is not an easily reversible procedure.
Plastic surgeons practicing in areas where the cost of living is high charge more, to help cover their own expenses.
For example:
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.
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.
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 carry lower anesthesia fees than general anesthesia or IV sedation.
“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.”
Buccal fat pad removal can be performed in combination with other facial plastic surgery procedures, like facelifts, for more complete facial sculpting and rejuvenation.
Additionally, 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 as an adjunct to buccal fat reduction.
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 procedures 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.
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.
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.
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.
State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
California | $6,500 |
Florida | $3,680 |
Illinois | $5,467 |
New York | $4,116 |
Texas | $2,972 |
Virginia | $4,298 |
Metro Area | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Chicago, IL | $5,000 |
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | $2,800 |
Houston, TX | $2,500 |
Los Angeles, CA | $6,000 |
Miami, FL | $3,500 |
New York City | $4,000 |
Philadelphia & South New Jersey | $1,800 |
San Francisco, CA | $6,000 |
Washington, DC | $5,247 |
West Palm Beach, FL | $2,800 |