The procedures I got
Buccal fat removal and submental liposuction
My provider
Dr. Thomas P. Sterry, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City
What is buccal fat removal?
Buccal fat removal, aka buccal lipectomy or cheek reduction surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the removal of the buccal fat pads from within the cheek hollows, just below the cheekbones. Large fat pats are often a genetic feature and can’t be reduced through diet or exercise. The goal of removing them is to create a more sculpted facial contour.
What is neck Smart Lipo?
Smart Lipo is a laser liposuction procedure that uses heat energy to liquify stubborn fat pockets, making it easier to suction the fat out through a tiny incision. The heat also triggers elastin and collagen production and can have a skin-tightening effect. Liposuction is often done in conjunction with buccal fat removal, to enhance the sculpted look of the face.
Why I got the surgeries
I’ve always been insecure about smiling in photos. Genetically, my family has fuller cheeks, and while that’s a look that some people love, it’s not what I personally like. I felt like my fuller cheeks gave my face a round appearance, and I always hated having any shadow or semblance of a double chin. I’m also more than six feet tall, so I feel like everyone is looking up at me from a nonoptimal angle.
I’ve used fillers before, and I truly love them. They’re great at sculpting the jaw and giving projection to the chin so that the submental fat is less noticeable. But there’s only so much they can do. As their name suggests, they really can only fill, or build out, certain areas of the face. I wanted something that would get rid of the roundness in my cheeks as well as the fat under my chin.
What buccal fat removal and chin liposuction were like
Before the procedures, Dr. Sterry had me take two Xanax, since I’d be fully awake for both the buccal fat removal and chin lipo. A nurse injected me with an antibiotic, to prevent any infection during the procedure. Once I was fully numb, my chin was up first. Dr. Sterry made two tiny holes behind each ear where he injected tumescent fluid, a saline solution with lidocaine for numbing and epinephrine to prevent bleeding.
Then he made a small incision under my chin and inserted a cannula into the opening, which essentially sucked out the fat from under my chin. It didn’t hurt—it felt similar to the slightly uncomfortable pressure you feel when you’re getting dental work done. I knew something was being done, but I was totally fine, and because of the saline solution, there was no blood or mess.
Next was the buccal fat removal. Dr. Sterry went through the inside of my mouth and made a small incision in each cheek from where he could pull out each buccal fat pad. There was slight discomfort, because my buccal pads were being stubborn and not coming out as easily as expected, according to Dr. Sterry. The entire time, Dr. Sterry checked with me to make sure I wasn’t in pain—and that no nerves were hit during the procedure.
Thanks to the Xanax, the procedures felt like they took between 10 and 15 minutes each, but because my buccal fat was being stubborn, the entire process actually took an hour and 20 minutes.
After both procedures were done, Dr. Sterry put a compression garment around my face, to keep everything tight and promote proper tissue healing. I was told to wear it all day and night for the first four days.
When I saw results—and how long those results will last
I was pretty swollen for the first few days, which was jarring at first. But by day four, I was looking like my old self, just with 10–20% remaining swelling. I had a red carpet event that day, and a friend said I looked like I hadn’t had anything done.
Results are gradual, but Dr. Sterry said it typically takes three months for the buccal fat removal results to fully show. After almost two months, I can finally see the cheek areas thinning out—as well as slight indentation in the area. As for lipo, I started noticing results at about one week, and from there, they’ve just gotten better every day. I went on vacation nine days after my procedure and had no noticeable swelling.
The results for both procedures are permanent. However, one’s face could, of course, appear different if they gained a significant amount of weight.
How much buccal fat removal and chin liposuction costs
Dr. Sterry charges $5,300 for buccal fat removal and $5,585 for chin liposuction. According to RealSelf members, the average costs are $3,994 and $3,264, respectively. Pricing is dependent on a variety of factors, including location, anesthesia, and the doctor’s experience.
Final verdict: buccal fat removal and chin liposuction
If you’ve been on TikTok, you’ve probably seen videos about buccal fat removal. In my opinion, it’s misunderstood as an intense procedure with drastic results. I don’t agree; I think it produces subtle, sleek results for people who are genuine candidates. When it’s done on the right person, by an experienced, board-certified surgeon, then the results won’t make you look gaunt or hollow. My results from cheek reduction and submental liposuction still maintain the integrity of my original look and features while giving me the contour I was after.
