Is 3 cubic centimetres enough for buccal fat removal?

We have a record of more then 500 buccal fat pad removals done. As a standar we weight them to have statistics of our own and the avarage amount of ccs removed is 3cc, which is enough to cause a visible change in the facial profile. The size or volume of the buccal fat pad is extremly variable, we have removed range from 5cc to 2cc, rarely above 5ccs. So that's why you can't predict how much buccal fat pad their is from your cheeks, there are also muscle and skin thickness that gives volume to your face. 

The amount of buccal fat pad removed during buccal fat removal depending on different factors: size of the pads and wishes of the patient. The outcome of the surgery depends primarily on the size of the pads but also on the weight of the patient. 3 cc of buccal fat pad could either be aggressive for some patients ( looking to have a sunken look) while for others it might be just enough to correct chubby cheeks ( overweight patients).  I always show to my patients how much buccal fat was removed at the end of the case so they know how much was taken. 

I often measure the amount of fat taken out as I take the fat and reinject it into the face. When I do this I would say the average patient gets 3cc. Most surgeons will take out what is given to them for most patients. Your baseline weight, age, gender, ethnicity and genetics all play a role on how much you have. 

The average size of the main body of most buccal fat pads is 3ccs. Whether yours is more than this size or whether any of the main body of the fat pad remains can only be determined by an MRI assessment. This should certainly be do done before you consider any secondary buccal fat removal procedure.