Cheek Reduction
Surgery — Define Your
Cheekbones
Chennai's board-certified cosmetic surgeons performing Buccal Fat Removal (Bichectomy) — precise removal of the buccal fat pads to slim the lower face, reveal sculpted cheekbones and create a permanently defined, contoured facial profile. No external scars. 30–45 minutes. Permanent results.
Sculpt Defined Cheekbones —
Permanently
Buccal Fat Removal — also known as Bichectomy, Cheek Reduction Surgery or Facial Slimming Surgery — is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgical procedure in which a board-certified surgeon precisely removes the buccal fat pads from the lower cheeks to create a permanently slimmer, more sculpted and defined lower face.
The buccal fat pads are discrete, encapsulated anatomical structures located deep within the cheeks — between the facial muscles, below and forward of the cheekbones. Unlike the fat that responds to diet and exercise in the rest of the body, the buccal fat pads are largely unresponsive to weight loss. Many people — regardless of their body weight — are genetically predisposed to prominent buccal fat pads that create a round, full or "baby face" appearance in the lower cheeks, concealing the natural definition of the cheekbones and jawline underneath.
Buccal Fat Removal addresses this directly: through two small incisions made entirely inside the mouth (near the upper second molars on each side), the surgeon accesses and carefully extracts the buccal fat pads. No incisions are made on the outside of the face — there are no visible scars. Once removed, the buccal fat does not grow back, delivering a permanently defined, sculpted lower face. At Maynee, every buccal fat removal procedure is individually planned by a board-certified cosmetic surgeon — with a thorough assessment of your facial anatomy, bone structure and long-term aesthetic goals — to ensure a natural, balanced result that will look right for your face not only today, but for decades to come.
How Buccal Fat Removal Works — The Clinical Reality
Six Ways Buccal Fat Removal
Transforms Your Face
Buccal Fat Removal delivers a permanent improvement to facial proportion, definition and contour — addressing concerns that cannot be corrected by diet, exercise, skincare or any non-surgical treatment.
Defines and Reveals the Cheekbones
Prominent buccal fat pads sit directly below and in front of the cheekbones, effectively obscuring their natural structure. By removing the pads, the cheekbones become visible and prominent — creating the sculpted "high cheekbone" appearance that many patients seek. This is a permanent, anatomical result, not a temporary visual trick. Patients who have always felt their face lacked definition — that their bone structure wasn't showing — often describe buccal fat removal as revealing the face they felt was always there, but hidden by the fullness of the lower cheeks. The result is a face that reads as more structured, defined and photogenic both in person and on camera.
Slims and Contours the Lower Face
The lower face is one of the most defining aspects of overall facial shape. Excess buccal fat creates a rounder, wider lower-face silhouette that can make the face look heavier or less refined than the patient's actual body weight would suggest. Buccal fat removal creates a permanent slimming of the lower face — improving the face's overall proportions and creating a more contoured, balanced silhouette when viewed from the front, three-quarter angle and profile. For patients who feel their face looks disproportionately round or full despite being at a healthy weight, this is typically the most impactful change they will see from the procedure.
Enhances the V-Shape or Oval Facial Profile
The "V-shape" or oval facial profile — wider at the temples and cheekbones, narrowing cleanly toward the jaw and chin — is one of the most universally recognised hallmarks of a defined, balanced face. Prominent buccal fat pads disrupt this shape by adding width and fullness to the lower-mid face, creating a rounder, less tapered silhouette. Buccal fat removal restores or enhances this V-shape by reducing the lower-face fullness, allowing the natural tapering from cheekbone to jaw to emerge. For many patients — particularly those of South or East Asian heritage, where fuller lower faces are common — this improvement in facial shape proportion is among the most transformative changes they experience.
Permanently Resolves What Diet Cannot
One of the most common frustrations reported by patients considering buccal fat removal is that no matter how much weight they lose, their cheeks remain full and round. This is because the buccal fat pads are anatomically distinct from the general facial fat that responds to diet and exercise — they have their own encapsulated structure and are largely independent of overall body fat percentage. This means a patient can be slim, lean and fit in the rest of their body while still having genuinely prominent buccal fat pads. Buccal fat removal resolves this frustration permanently — it is the only clinically effective way to reduce the buccal fat pads, and once done, the result is permanent.
Improves Camera and Screen Appearance
Camera lenses — particularly the wide-angle optics in smartphone cameras — tend to flatten and widen facial features, exaggerating fullness in the lower face. This is why many patients feel their face looks rounder and heavier in photographs and video calls than it does when they look in the mirror. Buccal fat removal consistently improves photographic and screen appearance — creating a more defined, structured face that reads proportionately across all angles, distances and lighting conditions. For patients in professions or lifestyles where they are frequently photographed or on camera — or who simply want to look as defined in photographs as they do in person — this is often a key motivating factor in choosing the procedure.
Complements Other Facial Contouring Procedures
Buccal fat removal works exceptionally well as part of a comprehensive facial contouring plan — combining with jawline Botox (masseter reduction) to slim the lower jaw, chin filler or chin augmentation to improve chin projection, rhinoplasty to balance the newly defined face, or neck and submental liposuction to refine the jaw-to-neck transition. These combination approaches allow patients to achieve a fully balanced, naturally refined facial result in a single or staged treatment session. Your surgeon at Maynee will assess your complete facial anatomy at consultation and advise honestly on which combination, if any, would best serve your goals and facial anatomy.
Your Buccal Fat Removal —
Step by Step
At Maynee, every Buccal Fat Removal is a board-certified surgeon-led procedure — with a thorough facial anatomy assessment, personalised surgical plan, precise technique and a structured aftercare and follow-up protocol. Here is exactly what to expect.
Consultation, Facial Assessment & Surgical Planning
Your board-certified cosmetic surgeon conducts a thorough consultation and detailed facial anatomy assessment — evaluating the size and prominence of your buccal fat pads, your facial bone structure (cheekbones, jaw, chin), skin thickness, overall facial proportion, and the relationship between your lower face fullness and the rest of your facial features. Your medical history is reviewed including all medications, supplements, previous surgeries, smoking status, bleeding tendencies and any autoimmune conditions. Your cosmetic concerns and goals are discussed in full. The surgeon will advise honestly on whether buccal fat removal alone will achieve your goals, or whether a combination approach — such as jawline Botox or chin augmentation — would produce a better overall result. If you are a good surgical candidate, the procedure plan is confirmed: including anaesthesia approach, fat volumes to be removed, and expected outcome. Pre-operative photographs are taken.
Pre-Operative Preparation
In the days before surgery, you will be given clear pre-operative instructions. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (NSAIDs), high-dose fish oil, vitamin E and other blood-thinning agents for 7–10 days before surgery to minimise bleeding and bruising risk. Stop smoking for at least 2 weeks before the procedure to optimise wound healing. Avoid alcohol for 5–7 days. Use the prescribed antiseptic mouthwash for 3 days before surgery to reduce oral bacterial load. Fast for at least 6 hours before surgery if general anaesthesia has been planned. Arrange for a companion to drive you home from the procedure. Come to your appointment without wearing heavy cosmetics and with a recent comprehensive health check if required by your surgeon.
Surgery — Precise Buccal Fat Pad Extraction
On the day of surgery, the inside of the mouth and cheeks are thoroughly cleaned and prepped. Local anaesthetic is administered to fully numb both cheeks. A small incision — approximately 1–2 cm — is made inside the mouth on each side, near the upper second molar. The surgeon applies gentle external pressure on the cheek, pushing the encapsulated buccal fat pad into the incision opening where it can be grasped and carefully excised. Typically 1.5–4 grams per side is removed — the precise amount is determined by your anatomy and the result your surgeon planned. Symmetry is continuously assessed throughout. Dissolvable sutures are placed to close the incisions inside the mouth — no external stitches are required. No marks, cuts or evidence of surgery are visible on the outside of the face. The procedure is performed on both sides in a single session.
Immediate Post-Operative Recovery
After surgery you will be monitored briefly before going home. Expect significant swelling in the cheeks for the first 3–5 days — similar to post-wisdom-tooth-extraction swelling. This is normal and expected. Ice packs applied gently to the outside of the cheeks (not directly, use a cloth) in the first 24 hours help manage swelling. A liquid and soft-food diet is required — no hard, crunchy or chewy foods while the inside-mouth incisions heal. Use the prescribed antiseptic mouthwash after every meal. Take the prescribed pain medication as directed. Keep your head elevated — sleep propped on two pillows — for the first 4–5 nights to help swelling resolve. Do not touch, press or massage the cheeks. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 3–4 weeks. You can return to desk work and light activities in 3–5 days once swelling is manageable.
Follow-Up, Swelling Resolution & Final Result
Follow-up appointments are scheduled at 1 week, 4–6 weeks and 3 months post-surgery. At 1 week, the sutures inside the mouth are reviewed (they will dissolve on their own, but the surgeon checks healing). At 4–6 weeks, the majority of post-surgical swelling has resolved and the new cheek contour is clearly visible and maturing. At 3 months, the final result is becoming apparent — the facial definition, cheekbone prominence and lower-face slimming are well-established. Full final results are typically visible at 3–6 months as all residual deep swelling fully resolves. It is important not to judge the outcome in the first 4–6 weeks — significant swelling during this period is normal and does not represent the final result. Patients are encouraged to maintain a stable weight to preserve the result long-term.
Important — What to Do and Avoid After Buccal Fat Removal
Diet: A liquid and soft-food diet is required for 2–3 weeks — soups, yoghurt, smoothies, soft rice. Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy foods (bread crusts, raw vegetables, nuts, meat that requires vigorous chewing) until your surgeon clears you. Avoid spicy, acidic or very hot foods that can irritate the inner mouth incisions during healing. No straws — sucking creates pressure inside the mouth that can affect suture healing.
Oral hygiene: Use the prescribed antiseptic mouthwash (chlorhexidine) after every meal as directed. Brush teeth gently and carefully, avoiding the inner cheek incision areas. Do not probe or touch the incision areas with your tongue or fingers.
Physical restrictions: No strenuous exercise, heavy lifting or contact sports for 3–4 weeks. No saunas, steam rooms or extreme heat exposure for 2 weeks. Sleep with your head elevated for the first week. Avoid actions that create significant facial pressure — no blowing, sucking or significant jaw clenching.
Contact your surgeon immediately if: You experience fever above 38°C, increasing pain (pain should decrease day-by-day, not worsen), numbness that is spreading rather than resolving, a foul smell or taste from the incision sites, or visible signs of infection such as pus. These require prompt clinical review.
The Benefits of Cheek Reduction
Surgery at Maynee
Buccal Fat Removal at Maynee delivers a permanent, precision-planned facial contouring result — with board-certified surgeon expertise, conservative technique, personalised assessment and complete aftercare.
Permanent Results
Unlike fillers, threads or non-surgical contouring that require regular maintenance, buccal fat removal delivers a permanent result. The buccal fat pads do not regenerate after surgical removal — your sculpted, defined lower face is lasting. No repeat treatments. No maintenance cost. One procedure, long-term benefit.
No External Scars
All incisions are made inside the mouth — no cuts on the outside of the face. Dissolving sutures close everything internally. There are zero visible scars on the face, making this one of the most scar-free facial contouring procedures available. Your only visible sign of the procedure is the sculpted result itself.
Minimal Procedure Time
Buccal fat removal takes just 30–45 minutes under local anaesthesia. No general anaesthesia, no hospital admission required for most patients. The procedure is completed in a single session with both sides treated simultaneously — and you go home the same day.
Addresses What Diet Cannot
The buccal fat pads are anatomically distinct and largely unresponsive to weight loss. Buccal fat removal is the only effective way to reduce them — permanently resolving the round, full lower-face appearance that persists despite a healthy weight and lifestyle. It achieves what no amount of diet, exercise or non-surgical treatment can.
Natural, Proportionate Outcome
In skilled hands, buccal fat removal looks like the patient "lost weight specifically in the face" — a natural refinement, not an obviously surgical result. At Maynee, a conservative approach to fat volume removal is always prioritised: enough to achieve meaningful definition, never so much as to create an unnatural hollowness. Your result is planned for both today and for decades ahead.
Quick Return to Daily Activities
Most patients return to desk work and light daily activities within 3–5 days of buccal fat removal. While the full result takes 3–6 months to appear as swelling resolves, patients can resume most aspects of normal life within the first week — making it a practical procedure for working adults in Chennai.
Board-Certified Surgeons — Patient Safety First
The buccal fat pad sits in close anatomical proximity to the parotid duct and branches of the facial nerve — making precise surgical knowledge and technique essential. At Maynee, buccal fat removal is performed exclusively by board-certified cosmetic surgeons with specialist training in facial anatomy and facial surgical procedures, prioritising a safe, complication-free outcome above all else.
Honest, Personalised Assessment
Not every patient with full cheeks is a suitable candidate for buccal fat removal — and at Maynee we will tell you honestly if another approach would better serve your goals. Our surgeons perform thorough, unhurried consultations where your facial anatomy, bone structure, age, and long-term appearance are all considered before any surgical recommendation is made.
Is Buccal Fat Removal
Right for You?
Buccal fat removal is suitable for healthy adults with genuine buccal fat pad prominence who want a permanently slimmer, more defined lower face. A consultation confirms individual suitability.
Ideal Candidates for Buccal Fat Removal
-
Full, Round Lower Cheeks Despite Healthy Weight
Adults with genuinely prominent buccal fat pads that create a full, round lower-face appearance that persists regardless of body weight — a condition that is primarily genetic and unresponsive to diet or exercise.
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Desire for Permanent Cheekbone Definition
Patients who want a permanent improvement in cheekbone prominence and lower-face definition — not a temporary or maintenance-dependent solution — and whose facial bone structure would benefit from reduced lower-cheek fullness.
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Good Underlying Facial Bone Structure
Candidates with reasonable underlying facial bone structure — defined cheekbones and a functional jawline — that is currently obscured by buccal fat fullness respond best to the procedure, as removing the fat reveals the existing structural definition.
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Late Twenties and Older
Patients in their late twenties or older whose faces have fully matured — and who therefore have a stable facial anatomy and realistic long-term perspective on how their face will age with reduced buccal fat volume.
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Stable, Healthy Weight with No Plans for Significant Loss
Patients who are at or near their target weight and plan to maintain it — ensuring the surgical result reflects the patient's genuine long-term facial appearance rather than being performed on a face that will change significantly with weight loss.
When Buccal Fat Removal May Not Be Suitable
Your surgeon will assess each of these at your consultation:
- Very lean or naturally thin face — removal of buccal fat can create an unnatural, gaunt or hollow mid-face appearance in already-slim patients
- Under 25 years of age — facial fat distribution continues to change and mature through the mid-twenties; operating too early risks over-correction as natural facial changes occur
- Significantly overweight — the result will be inconsistent; patients should reach their stable target weight before proceeding
- Facial fullness primarily from skin laxity or excess general facial fat (not buccal fat pads) — a different procedure is more appropriate
- Active infection, oral inflammation, or dental disease — treatment must be deferred until resolved
- History of facial nerve palsy, hemifacial atrophy, or any condition affecting facial muscle or nerve function
- Bleeding disorders, clotting conditions or anticoagulant therapy without specialist clearance
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — all elective cosmetic surgery deferred
- Autoimmune conditions affecting wound healing without specialist clearance
- Unrealistic expectations — expecting a procedure to dramatically restructure the face or produce a specific celebrity's appearance
Not Sure If Buccal Fat Removal Is Right for You?
Our surgeons perform honest, unhurried facial assessments and will advise you clearly on whether buccal fat removal will genuinely achieve the outcome you are seeking — and, if not, what the most appropriate alternative would be. We never recommend surgery that will not deliver the result a patient came for.
Book Facial Assessment
Real Results,
Real Voices
Hear directly from patients who underwent Buccal Fat Removal at Maynee — their experience, what changed, and the difference it made to their confidence.
"I've always had chubby cheeks no matter what I weighed — I'd be slim everywhere else but my face always looked round in photos. I'd wanted to do something about it for years but was scared of surgery. The surgeon at Maynee was incredibly thorough in the consultation — explained exactly what the procedure involves, showed me realistic before and afters, and was honest about the recovery. Three months after the surgery, the result is everything I hoped for. My cheekbones are visible for the first time. I look like myself, just more defined."
"The surgery itself was much more straightforward than I expected — just local anaesthesia, 40 minutes, and I was home the same day. The first two weeks of swelling were the challenging part, but the team had prepared me for that so I wasn't worried. By month three, the change to my face is genuinely remarkable. My jawline looks completely different. I wish I'd done this years ago. The surgeon was conservative with the fat removal, which I appreciate — the result looks completely natural, not like a 'done' face."
"What impressed me most was how honest the surgeon was at my first consultation — he didn't just say yes to everything I asked about. He assessed my face carefully and told me exactly how much improvement I could realistically expect. That honesty made me trust him completely. The procedure was simple and the follow-up care at Maynee was excellent. Six months later I look like I lost weight specifically in my face — more angular, more structured. My cheekbones are now the dominant feature of my face, not the roundness of my cheeks."
Your Buccal Fat Removal —
Recovery Timeline
Understanding exactly what to expect — from surgery day through to your final result — helps you plan, manage swelling confidently and recognise that the best result takes time to emerge.
Surgery Day
Procedure completed under local anaesthesia in 30–45 minutes. Go home same day. Mild to moderate cheek swelling and soreness begin. Begin liquid diet. Ice packs gently applied. Rest with head elevated.
Peak Swelling — Normal
Swelling peaks at days 3–5. Face looks quite puffy — similar to post-wisdom-tooth extraction. This is normal. Continue soft-food diet and antiseptic mouthwash. Most patients return to desk work. Do not judge the result yet.
Swelling Subsiding
Swelling progressively reduces. Inner-mouth incisions healing well. Sutures dissolving. Most patients resume normal diet by week 3. Early definition beginning to emerge. First follow-up review at Maynee.
Definition Emerging
Major swelling resolved. Cheekbone definition and lower-face slimming clearly visible and maturing. Patients notice significant improvement in their profile and cheek contour. 6-week follow-up review. Normal exercise and lifestyle fully resumed.
Final Permanent Result
All residual deep swelling fully resolved. The final, permanent sculpted contour — defined cheekbones, slimmer lower face, refined facial proportion — is fully established. 3-month final review. Result is lasting as buccal fat does not regenerate.
Buccal Fat Removal vs Other
Facial Slimming Options
Understand how Buccal Fat Removal compares to other cheek contouring and facial slimming approaches — so you can make the most informed decision for your goals and anatomy.
| Feature | Buccal Fat Removal at Maynee (Bichectomy / Cheek Reduction Surgery) |
Facial Filler Contouring |
Kybella / Fat Dissolving Injections |
Diet & Exercise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficacy & What It Can Do | ||||
| Removes Buccal Fat Pads Permanently | ✓ Yes — permanent fat pad removal | ✕ No — adds volume, does not remove fat | ~ Limited efficacy for buccal fat pads specifically | ✕ Buccal fat is largely unresponsive to weight loss |
| Defines and Reveals Cheekbones | ✓ Yes — significant, permanent definition | ~ Adds cheekbone highlight — does not slim lower face | ~ Modest effect if effective at all | ✕ Cannot alter buccal fat anatomy |
| Slims the Lower Face | ✓ Yes — permanent lower-face slimming | ✕ Adds volume — opposite effect on lower face | ~ Very modest at best for this area | ✕ Does not affect buccal fat |
| Improves V-Shape / Oval Profile | ✓ Yes — significantly improves taper | ~ Jawline filler can improve definition only | ✕ Not reliably effective here | ✕ No effect on facial shape proportions |
| Practicality & Recovery | ||||
| Procedure Time | ✓ 30–45 minutes, single session | ✓ 15–30 minutes | ~ 20–30 minutes per session, multiple sessions | ✓ Ongoing lifestyle commitment |
| Recovery / Downtime | ~ 3–5 days desk work; full activity by 3–4 weeks | ✓ Zero — immediate return | ~ 2–5 days swelling per session | ✓ None |
| Time to Final Result | ~ 3–6 months for fully settled result | ✓ Immediate — same day | ~ 4–6 weeks per session; multiple sessions needed | ~ Weeks to months of sustained effort |
| Scarring | ✓ None — all incisions inside the mouth | ✓ None — injection only | ✓ None — injection only | ✓ None |
| Results & Permanence | ||||
| Result Duration | ✓ Permanent — buccal fat does not regenerate | ✕ Temporary — 9–18 months; maintenance required | ~ Partial — some fat cells destroyed but not all | ✕ Ongoing maintenance required |
| Long-Term Cost | ✓ One-time procedure — no repeat cost | ✕ Ongoing maintenance treatments required | ✕ Multiple sessions; ongoing cost | ✓ Lifestyle cost only |
| Reversible | ✕ Permanent — irreversible (fat grafting possible but complex) | ✓ Fully reversible with hyaluronidase | ✕ Not readily reversible | ✓ Reversible — lifestyle change |
| Board-Certified Provider at Maynee | ✓ Yes — board-certified cosmetic surgeon | ✓ Yes — board-certified aesthetic doctor | ~ Varies by provider | ✓ Self-managed |
For general educational purposes only. Individual suitability, results and timelines vary. Consult our specialists for a personalised facial contouring assessment.
Buccal Fat Removal Questions
Answered
Real questions from our patients — answered by our board-certified cosmetic surgeons. Everything you need to know before booking your consultation.
Buccal fat removal — also called bichectomy or cheek reduction surgery — is a cosmetic surgical procedure in which a board-certified surgeon removes the buccal fat pads from the lower cheeks. The buccal fat pads are discrete, encapsulated structures located deep in the cheeks, below and in front of the cheekbones. They contribute significantly to a full, round lower-face appearance. By removing an appropriate portion of these pads (through small incisions inside the mouth — no external scars), the lower face becomes permanently slimmer, the cheekbones become more defined and prominent, and the overall facial profile looks more sculpted and contoured. The procedure takes 30–45 minutes under local anaesthesia, and because all incisions are inside the mouth, there are no visible marks on the face surface. Results are permanent — the buccal fat does not grow back.
Yes — buccal fat removal is permanent. The buccal fat pads, once surgically removed, do not regenerate. The slimmer, more defined lower face created by the procedure is lasting. However, it is important to understand that your face will continue to change naturally over time — skin will gradually thin, overall facial volume will shift with age, and significant weight gain can add fullness to other facial fat compartments. These are normal aspects of ageing, not evidence of the buccal fat returning. This permanence is one of the key advantages of buccal fat removal over non-surgical alternatives — and also why careful patient selection and conservative surgical technique are so important at the time of the procedure.
This is the most important question about buccal fat removal and it deserves a fully honest answer. The buccal fat pads are among the last facial fat compartments to naturally reduce with age — they function as a long-term volume reserve. Removing them, particularly in younger patients or those with already-lean facial anatomy, can lead to an overly hollowed or gaunt mid-face appearance in later decades — an effect that can be difficult to correct. This is precisely why patient selection is critical: at Maynee, our surgeons perform thorough assessments and do not recommend buccal fat removal to patients who are too young, naturally lean, or whose facial anatomy suggests they will look hollow in the mid-face decades after the procedure. For the right candidate — with genuine fat pad prominence, good bone structure and a realistic long-term perspective — the procedure delivers a well-proportioned result that ages gracefully. We also consistently use conservative fat removal volumes to protect long-term facial balance.
Most patients can return to desk work and light daily activities within 3–5 days. Swelling in the cheeks peaks at days 3–5 — similar to post-wisdom-tooth swelling — and then progressively resolves. A soft-food diet is required for 2–3 weeks while the inside-mouth incisions heal. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 3–4 weeks. The majority of swelling resolves by 4–6 weeks, and patients typically notice significant facial definition emerging around this point. However, the full, final settled result is not visible until 3–6 months post-surgery. This is normal — deep surgical swelling takes time to fully resolve. Patients should not judge their outcome at 2–4 weeks, as the face looks different during recovery than it will at the final result.
There are no visible external scars from buccal fat removal. All incisions are made entirely inside the mouth — small cuts near the upper second molar on each side, closed with dissolving sutures that do not need removal. No incisions are ever made on the outside of the face. The only evidence of surgery is the refined, sculpted result itself — nothing visible on the skin. Once full recovery is complete, the outcome looks natural: most patients report that people simply comment they look well, slimmer or more defined, without being able to identify what has specifically changed.
Buccal fat removal is performed under local anaesthesia — the cheeks are fully numbed before the procedure begins. During the surgery, patients typically feel pressure and some movement sensation, but not pain. The procedure itself takes 30–45 minutes and is generally well-tolerated. After surgery, the most common experience in the first few days is cheek soreness, a feeling of tightness, and some difficulty opening the jaw fully (trismus) — similar to how it feels after wisdom tooth removal. Prescribed pain medication manages this discomfort effectively. By day 3–5, most patients feel manageable and can resume desk work. The soreness resolves progressively over 1–2 weeks. Your surgeon at Maynee will discuss anaesthesia options and post-operative pain management in full at your consultation.
The ideal candidate is a healthy adult — typically late twenties or older — with genuinely prominent buccal fat pads causing a round, full lower face despite a healthy body weight, who wants a permanently slimmer and more defined lower face and has realistic expectations of the outcome. Good candidates have reasonable underlying facial bone structure, stable weight, and understand that the final result takes 3–6 months to appear. Patients who are not suitable include: those who are very lean or naturally thin-faced (removal risks an unnatural hollow appearance); patients under 25 whose facial fat distribution is still maturing; those significantly overweight who should reach their target weight first; patients with full cheeks caused primarily by skin laxity rather than fat pads; and anyone with active oral infections, bleeding disorders, or conditions affecting wound healing. Every assessment at Maynee includes an honest evaluation of these factors.
Yes — buccal fat removal is commonly combined with other facial contouring procedures to achieve a more comprehensive result. The most popular combinations include: jawline Botox (masseter reduction) to slim the lower jaw and enhance the V-shape effect; chin filler or chin augmentation to improve the chin-to-cheekbone proportion; non-surgical or surgical rhinoplasty to balance the nose with the newly contoured face; and neck or submental liposuction for patients with additional fat in these areas. When combining procedures in the same session, it is possible to achieve a comprehensive result while reducing the total number of separate recovery periods. Your surgeon at Maynee will advise on the most appropriate combination for your specific anatomy and goals at consultation — and will be honest if any particular combination does not genuinely add value for your face.
When performed by a board-certified surgeon at a properly equipped facility — as at Maynee — buccal fat removal has a strong safety profile. Common temporary effects include swelling, soreness, mild bruising and limited jaw opening (trismus), resolving within 1–3 weeks. Less common but known risks include temporary altered sensation or numbness in the cheeks (typically resolves within weeks to months), minor asymmetry (managed at follow-up), and infection (managed with antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash). Rare but serious risks include parotid duct injury and facial nerve branch damage — these are uncommon when performed by a trained surgeon with thorough knowledge of facial anatomy. Facial nerve paralysis occurs in less than 1% of cases in published clinical data. Over-resection is the most consequential long-term risk — at Maynee, conservative technique is non-negotiable to protect long-term facial balance and prevent an unnatural hollow-cheek appearance in later years.
The cost of buccal fat removal at Maynee in Chennai is provided in full at your personal consultation, after your facial anatomy has been assessed and a personalised surgical plan has been created. Cost depends on whether the procedure is performed alone or in combination with other treatments, the anaesthesia approach selected, the complexity of your case, and the operating environment. We provide complete, transparent pricing at consultation with no hidden fees or surprise charges. We do not publish a fixed price online because no two patients are anatomically identical and quoting a price before a clinical assessment would not be accurate or responsible. To understand your personal cost, please book a consultation at Maynee where your surgeon will outline the full, itemised investment required.
Jawline Botox (Masseter Reduction)
The most popular combination with buccal fat removal. Jawline Botox reduces masseter muscle hypertrophy — slimming the lower jaw width and significantly enhancing the V-shape facial profile. When combined with buccal fat removal, the result is a comprehensively contoured lower face — slimmer cheeks and a narrower jaw creating a dramatic improvement in overall facial proportion.
Learn More →
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty (Liquid Nose Job)
Buccal fat removal changes the overall proportions of the face — including how the nose relates to the cheeks and jawline. Some patients find that after lower-face contouring, they want to refine the nose to maintain full facial balance. Non-surgical rhinoplasty with filler can address nose bumps, tip drooping or bridge definition without surgery — complementing the new, defined facial profile created by buccal fat removal.
Learn More →Ready for a Sculpted, Defined Face?
Book a personalised facial assessment at Maynee and receive an honest, surgeon-led evaluation of your buccal fat anatomy — with a clear plan for what buccal fat removal can realistically achieve for your specific face, and a transparent overview of the procedure, recovery and investment involved.
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