BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL IN BATON ROUGE, LA
Cheek Fat Removal
Full-looking cheeks and midface bulging are common aesthetic concerns that may affect your sense of self-confidence. Cheek fat is typically caused by genetics or other factors within or beyond your control. While lifestyle interventions like dieting and exercise may help, they do not always work. Baton Rouge plastic surgeon Dr. Ruston Sanchez offers buccal fat removal to help you reclaim your facial appeal and sense of confidence. Through this cosmetic procedure, Dr. Ruston has helped numerous men and women from Baton Rouge and surrounding Louisiana areas of Denham Springs, Prairieville, Covington, Gonzales, Walker, Lafayette, Hammond, New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Central meet their aesthetic goals.
What is Buccal Fat?
The buccal fat pad refers to a mass of fat located at the center of the cheeks right beneath the cheekbones. While every human being has this, they tend to be more pronounced in some people. They may then cause the cheeks to look very full (sometimes even chubby) especially if the person has a slim and toned body.
Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal
Many of Dr. Ruston’s patients who undergo this procedure experience unique aesthetic benefits:
- Eliminate excess cheek fat – because this procedure focuses on removing fat pads on your cheeks, it can make your lower face look more sculpted.
- Improve cheekbone definition – buccal fat pads are located right below your cheekbones and can thus make them look more prominent. Undergoing this treatment can go a long way to enhance their definition.
- Minimal downtime – this cosmetic procedure has minimal downtime with most patients being able to resume normal activities within three days.
- Permanent results – because Dr. Ruston Sanchez completely eliminates your cheek fat pads, results tend to be permanent. You’ll be able to enjoy your newfound, sculpted appearance for years to come.
- No visible scarring – plastic surgeons typically position the incisions for cheek surgery inside the mouth. This means that there’s no visible scarring from this cosmetic treatment.

Am I a Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal in Baton Rouge?
Cheek thinning surgery is a highly individualized treatment that may be the ideal solution for patients who are worried about full or chubby cheeks. You may be a good candidate for this cosmetic procedure if:
- You are self-conscious about the appearance of chubby cheeks
- You are in good physical and mental health
- You are a nonsmoker or are willing to quit weeks before the surgery
- You have realistic expectations about the outcome of this treatment
Buccal removal surgery is a highly effective procedure, but only for suitable candidates. During your initial consultation visit in Baton Rouge, Dr. Ruston Sanchez will listen to your concerns and observe your face before letting you know whether this treatment is for you.
The Buccal Fat Removal Procedure
Buccal fat removal surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia in Dr. Ruston Sanchez’s in-office operating room. Some light sedation may also be used depending on the objectives of your surgery. The surgeon will create a small incision inside the cheek and use it to directly remove the excess fat. Once the procedure has been completed, the incision will be closed before you are allowed to return home for rest and recovery.
CHEEK FAT REMOVAL
Recovery and Results
Recovery after buccal removal surgery is fairly straightforward. Pain and swelling are typically worse during the first 1-2 days after the procedure. Dr. Sanchez’s office will prescribe pain medication to alleviate the discomfort as well as provide comprehensive after-care instructions to help ensure a seamless recovery. Ice packs may be used to manage the swelling. You may also be given a special type of mouthwash to help lower the risk of infections. Make sure you stick to liquid foods for a little while and walk around the house as soon as you can to ensure proper blood flow. The majority of Dr. Ruston’s cheek-slimming patients are able to resume routine, non-strenuous tasks within a couple of days after the procedure.
The results of buccal removal surgery will vary from one patient to the other based on the scope of the procedure. The outcome of the surgery may be obscured over the first few weeks and it may take up to a few weeks before the final results are evident. Dr. Ruston’s office should be available throughout the recovery period to provide the support and guidance you need.
Buccal Fat Removal vs Facial Liposuction
Dr. Ruston Sanchez understands that some patients may be confused between buccal fat removal and facial liposuction. This is because both of these surgical procedures are designed to address facial imperfections. Dr. Ruston Sanchez performs buccal fat removal by surgically removing all the fat in the buccal fat pad. The liposuction procedure, on the other hand, is completed by suctioning fat out from a broader lower face area using a cannula to avoid damaging facial nerves. Upon observation of the patient, Dr. Ruston is best placed to determine which of these facial procedures is ideal for you. In some cases, the surgeon may recommend non-invasive options such as injectable fillers to address minor aesthetic concerns and even out facial areas.

Average Cost
$2,000 – $8,000

Average Recovery Time
1 – 2 weeks

Average Procedure Time
30 minutes – 2 hours
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Buccal Fat Removal FAQs
What is buccal fat removal?
Where are the incisions?
During cheek fat removal surgery, Dr. Ruston Sanchez creates an incision inside the mouth. This ensures that they are well concealed and that there are no obvious scars during and after the recovery duration.
What are the risks of buccal fat removal?
Like any other plastic surgery procedure, cheek fat removal has its fair share of risks. These include infection at the incision site, facial nerve injury, numbness and sensation changes, and asymmetry. Baton Rouge plastic surgeon Dr. Ruston Sanchez utilizes advanced surgical techniques to ensure the best procedure outcome while minimizing the risks.