Buccal Fat Removal

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Did you know that buccal fat removal, often called cheek fat removal, has become one of the most requested facial contouring procedures in Los Angeles? This minimally invasive surgery refines and slims the lower cheeks by removing excess buccal fat pads — the natural pockets of fat between your facial muscles that can make the face appear round or “baby-faced.”

At CK Plastic Surgery in Koreatown, Los Angeles, Dr. K. Charles Kim, M.D., F.A.C.S. performs buccal fat removal with exceptional precision, creating a sculpted, V-shaped contour that enhances your natural bone structure. The result is a defined, elegant look that complements your jawline and cheekbones — without looking overdone.

Why Choose Buccal Fat Removal at CK Plastic Surgery

Choosing the right surgeon is key to achieving natural, balanced results. Dr. K. Charles Kim, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, combines over two decades of experience and artistic expertise from his advanced training in Seoul, Honolulu, Beverly Hills, and Brown University.

Patients choose CK Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles because:

• Dr. Kim focuses on natural facial harmony — not excessive slimming.
• Procedures are customized to your unique bone structure and aesthetic goals.
• State-of-the-art equipment ensures precision, safety, and minimal downtime.
• The clinic offers a discreet, private, and compassionate environment.

His philosophy: enhance, never erase — ensuring you look like the best version of yourself.

Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal

This refined facial contouring surgery offers both cosmetic and psychological benefits:

• Slims and sculpts the mid and lower face
• Highlights the cheekbones and jawline
• Provides a longer-lasting alternative to contour makeup or fillers
• Improves facial symmetry and balance
• Boosts confidence with a more defined, elegant look

When performed by an expert like Dr. Kim, buccal fat removal creates subtle yet striking improvement that enhances your natural beauty rather than changing your identity.

Who Should Avoid It?

Buccal fat removal may not be suitable for everyone. Avoid or postpone this surgery if you:

• Already have a naturally thin or angular face
• Have a bleeding disorder or uncontrolled medical condition
• Are pregnant or nursing
• Have unrealistic expectations about results

During your personalized consultation, Dr. Kim will assess your facial anatomy and discuss whether you would benefit more from facial fat transfer, chin augmentation, or non-surgical contouring.

Ideal Candidates

The best candidates for buccal fat removal in Los Angeles are healthy adults who:

• Have full or round cheeks that don’t respond to diet or exercise
• Desire a slimmer, contoured facial appearance
• Want permanent, natural results without fillers
• Are seeking facial harmony between the cheeks, jawline, and chin

Dr. Kim often combines buccal fat removal with procedures like a facelift, neck lift, or chin liposuction to achieve a balanced, youthful transformation.

‍

The Procedure: What to Expect

Direct answer: Buccal fat removal is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that takes about 45–60 minutes and requires only local anesthesia with light sedation.

Step-by-Step Overview:

1. Anesthesia: Local anesthesia or light IV sedation ensures comfort during the entire procedure.
2. Incisions: Small incisions are made inside the mouth near the molars — leaving no visible external scars.
3. Fat Removal: Dr. Kim gently extracts a precise amount of buccal fat pad using fine instruments.
4. Closure: The incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures that heal naturally within a few days.

Because all incisions are internal, there are no visible marks, and healing is typically quick.

Recovery and Aftercare

Direct answer: Recovery after buccal fat removal is usually 5–10 days, with minimal discomfort and swelling that resolves within two weeks.

Aftercare Tips:

• Follow a soft-food diet for the first few days.
• Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial solution after meals.
• Avoid vigorous exercise or smoking for at least one week.
• Sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling.

Mild swelling may last up to two weeks, but most patients return to work within 3–5 days. Final contouring results appear as the tissue settles — typically within 4–6 weeks.

‍

Surgery Results

Buccal fat removal results are long-lasting and elegant.
Patients experience slimmer, better-defined cheeks and a smoother transition between cheekbones and jawline. The results are subtle enough to look natural but significant enough to enhance your facial structure.

Typical outcomes include:

• Sculpted, V-shaped lower face
• Improved cheek definition
• Refined, youthful facial balance

When performed by Dr. K. Charles Kim, results last permanently — the removed fat does not grow back.

Why Patients Trust Dr. K. Charles Kim

Dr. K. Charles Kim, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a reputation for precision, integrity, and artistry. Trained at Brown University, Beverly Hills Physicians Medical Institute, and elite clinics in Seoul, Dr. Kim combines technical mastery with a deep understanding of facial anatomy and aesthetics.

His approach emphasizes:

• Subtle, natural enhancement
• Meticulous attention to proportion and symmetry
• Unwavering commitment to patient safety

Patients describe Dr. Kim as honest, detail-oriented, and compassionate — qualities that define the trusted experience at CK Plastic Surgery.

‍

‍