Remove cheek fat

Removing cheek fat by means of surgery

There are basically two different methods that we can use to remove cheek fat. Which technique is used depends on the existing findings, the individual wishes for correction and, ultimately, the budget.

In medical terminology, the cheek fat plug is called corpus adiposum buccae or Bichat’s cheek fat body. This is typically very well developed in infants and young children and is located deep in the cheeks between the cheek and facial muscles in the immediate vicinity of the salivary gland duct.

By the time they reach adulthood, it is visibly atrophying. However, this does not apply to all people. In particular, those who are otherwise very slim are often bothered by the so-called chubby cheeks. This is because they make the face look stronger.

In such cases, the desire for a method to remove cheek fat is obvious.

Removing the cheek fat plug

The cheek fat plug can be removed or reduced with an operation via a small incision on the inside of each cheek. If you are concerned about the hollow cheeks, only part of the fat can be removed.

Afterwards, the wound is stitched up and a compression bandage is applied to prevent the risk of bleeding or bruising and to reduce swelling.

The picture shows the Bichat cheek fat pad after the bichectomy. The compress measures 10 x 10 cm, the cheek fat has a size of 5 ml per side.

Liposuction

Liposuction of the cheeks is the right choice if the deep-seated cheek fat of the cheek fat plug is not present or only very small. In this case, the superficial layer of fat can be removed by liposuction. This is basically done as described in the liposuction article.

Combination surgery: Buccal fat removal and liposuction

In some cases, neither of the two techniques for removing cheek fat is sufficient to achieve a good end result. Liposuction and removal of the cheek fat plug can then be performed simultaneously in one operation.

The advantage lies in a reduction in the overall operation time, a reduction in costs and, above all, a reduction in follow-up treatment. This is because the duration of healing and follow-up treatment only needs to be calculated once, as this does not change when the two operations are combined.

However, you should expect a little more swelling and possibly pain. The latter can, however, be excellently dampened with medium-strength painkillers.

Cheek implants

Another correction option is to make the cheekbone appear larger and thus positively change the relationship to the underlying soft tissue. This can be achieved without surgery (see below) or with the help of cheek implants.

However, if you have very pronounced chubby cheeks, you will need to have additional cheek fat removed (= “buccal fat removal”).

How can you reduce cheek fat without surgery?

Cheek fat can also be reduced without surgery. The following methods are available.

• Exercise and diet lead to weight loss through fat reduction and ultimately also to a reduction in cheek fat. Nevertheless, there are people whose cheek fat is very stubborn and cannot be satisfactorily reduced in this way.
• Cheek injections with hyaluronic acid in the area of the cheekbones can positively change the ratio of bony to soft cheeks, making the cheekbones appear more prominent and the cheek less voluminous. Depending on the findings, an injection can look as if cheek fat has been removed.
• A lot can also be achieved with the help of make-up. The Contour Highlight technique in particular can be used to emphasize cheekbones and reduce chubby cheeks. However, this is an optical illusion and only lasts until make-up is removed.

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