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August 9, 2026
A small amount of fat is removed from each cheek during buccal fat removal, a facial reshaping surgical procedure that gives the face a more mature, defined, and chiseled appearance. Buccal fat removal Dubai has gained significant attention on social media in recent years, though some patients and practitioners have raised concerns about its possible long-term consequences on facial appearance. Some doctors are concerned that this procedure may cause patients to regret their decision as the face continues to lose fat naturally with age and these concerns are entirely justified. The devil is in the details, however it is impossible to predict precisely how much facial fat each individual will lose as they age, in which specific areas of the face, and at what rate. You may still be an excellent candidate for this procedure but confirming that you are the right candidate before proceeding is absolutely essential.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
Cheek fat removal Dubai also clinically referred to as bichectomy or cheek reduction surgery involves the surgical removal of fat pads from the lower cheeks to create a more streamlined, sculpted facial appearance. Despite having only recently gained widespread public recognition, the procedure has been practiced since the 18th century. Marie-François Xavier Bichat, a French anatomist, was the first to formally define this particular cheek fat which is why it is sometimes referred to as Bichat’s protuberance or the Bichat ball. This fat pad is believed to assist adults in chewing and to provide additional protective cushioning to the internal tissues of the cheek, in addition to aiding neonates in the sucking reflex. Buccal lipectomy Dubai has even been used in reconstructive surgery both as a transplant material and to repair fistulas, which are abnormal connections or passages between two organs.
The latter application can be relevant following tooth extraction or when medication causes the bone cells in the jaw to die, a condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. Researchers have identified several additional clinical benefits of this fat pad, including its ability to protect tooth roots and assist patients with cleft palates. However, not everyone is aesthetically comfortable with their natural buccal fat due to the way this adipose fat shapes and impacts the overall appearance of the face. Some individuals describe having “chipmunk cheeks” due to a large volume of buccal fat and face slimming surgery Dubai through buccal fat removal can help address this. However, it is critically important to confirm that excess buccal fat is genuinely the cause of your fuller cheek appearance before proceeding large jaw muscles, for example, can also cause the cheeks to appear larger, and masseter Botox is the appropriate treatment for that specific concern.
How Much Is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat extraction Dubai costs can vary depending on several key factors including the clinic’s location, the surgeon’s level of experience, any additional concurrent procedures being performed, the type of anesthesia used, post-operative medications, and the aftercare support included in the treatment package. In addition to surgery and anesthesia fees, many clinics typically offer patients comprehensive packages that include accommodation, transportation, medication, and aftercare as part of their overall treatment plan.
Is Buccal Fat Removal Permanent?
Results from cheek contouring Dubai through buccal fat removal are long-lasting. The fat that is surgically removed is permanently eliminated though the long-term aesthetic outcome depends on individual factors such as age and subsequent weight fluctuations. The lifetime outcomes of this procedure are sustained, but it is important to keep in mind that the quality and elasticity of your skin will naturally change as you age.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Buccal Fat Removal?
A person with genuinely prominent, rounded cheeks where the buccal fat is highly visible and is obscuring the natural definition of the underlying bone structure in an unattractive way is an excellent candidate for buccal fat pad removal Dubai. Ultimately, only Dr. Matteo Vigo can determine how pronounced your buccal fat is and whether it qualifies you for this procedure. Maintaining a stable, consistent weight and abstaining from smoking before the procedure are both important prerequisites. Realistic expectations are also essential skilled surgeons will take great care not to remove excessive cheek fat, as doing so can create a gaunt, hollow appearance that is aesthetically unfavorable. Dr. Matteo Vigo will also screen for any medical conditions that would prevent you from safely undergoing this procedure.
How Is Buccal Fat Removal Done?
Buccal fat removal Dubai is typically performed under local anesthesia meaning you will be awake but comfortable throughout the procedure. Following the administration of anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small 1 cm incision on both sides of the cheek to access and remove the buccal fat pad. Research published in Aesthetic Surgery indicates that an average of 2.6 mL of fat approximately the size of your thumb is removed from each cheek during the procedure. Dissolvable stitches are then used to close the cheek incision. Cheek fat removal Dubai as a standalone procedure may take no more than thirty minutes to complete. However, for a more comprehensive result or to address additional facial concerns simultaneously, patients frequently combine this procedure with complementary treatments such as a facelift, liposuction, rhinoplasty, implants, or dermal fillers each of which will extend the overall procedure time accordingly.
Does Buccal Fat Removal Hurt?
Since buccal lipectomy Dubai is performed under either local or general anesthesia, no pain should be experienced during the procedure itself. Some degree of discomfort and soreness following the procedure is normal and expected, however and Dr. Matteo Vigo may prescribe appropriate pain medication to manage this effectively. Discomfort should reduce progressively as healing progresses. Contact Dr. Matteo Vigo promptly if pain does not subside as expected during your recovery.
What Is Recovery Of Buccal Fat Removal?
Typical face slimming surgery Dubai recovery following buccal fat removal involves three to four days of initial downtime, with some patients taking up to one full week before feeling fully normal again. Swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness in the cheek area are all common following the procedure. The majority of swelling should resolve after approximately three weeks though some swelling may persist beyond this point. The final results of your buccal fat extraction Dubai procedure will not be fully visible until all swelling has completely resolved, which may take up to three months.
What Is The Aftercare Of Buccal Fat Removal?
As part of your aftercare plan following cheek contouring Dubai surgery, medications may be prescribed to support a smooth and complete recovery. Dr. Matteo Vigo may advise you to avoid all physically demanding activities for one to two weeks following your procedure. Sleeping on your back with your head elevated is recommended to reduce swelling in the cheek area, and applying ice packs to the swollen cheeks can also provide meaningful relief. Dietary progression typically begins with a liquid diet before gradually transitioning to a soft diet the precise timeline and dietary recommendations will be provided by Dr. Matteo Vigo, and you should always consult your surgeon if you are uncertain about which foods are appropriate at each stage of recovery.
Can Buccal Fat Removal Be Reversed?
Buccal fat pad removal Dubai results can be partially addressed through several approaches if reversal is desired, including:
- Collagen stimulation treatments
- Dermal fillers
- Fat grafting
Collagen stimulation procedures such as laser, ultrasound, and microneedling can help address a gaunt appearance following excessive cheek fat removal, though their impact in this context is often limited. Dermal fillers make more practical sense when the goal is to restore some of the lost cheek volume though results will not precisely replicate the original appearance, and placement can be technically challenging. Facial fat grafting offers the most logical and anatomically appropriate reversal approach, as it directly replenishes the hollow of the cheek area using fat harvested from elsewhere on the body.
Can You Get Buccal Fat Removal More Than Once?
A single buccal fat removal procedure is generally sufficient. Removing too much fat from the cheek area risks creating a gaunt and hollow facial appearance which can paradoxically make a patient appear older rather than more refined. Exercise great caution when considering this procedure and ensure that the advantages and potential long-term disadvantages are carefully and thoroughly discussed with a skilled cosmetic surgeon before proceeding.
Can Buccal Fat Removal Go Wrong?
Cheek fat removal Dubai can go wrong particularly when an inexperienced or inadequately trained surgeon performs the procedure. Unlike some other areas of the body, buccal fat does not exist in isolation the procedure carries a risk of inadvertent injury to a nearby salivary duct or nerve within the cheek. Over-removal of facial fat is another significant risk and given that facial fat naturally diminishes with age, this can significantly worsen the long-term appearance of the face over time. Despite being generally considered a safe procedure, buccal fat removal does carry risks including bleeding, asymmetry, infection, and damage to adjacent blood vessels and facial structures. Research has indicated that while buccal fat removal has a relatively low complication rate overall, a notable proportion of procedures are performed using poor-quality methodology making surgeon selection an absolutely critical consideration.
Does Buccal Fat Removal Age You?
Long-term follow-up studies examining the outcomes of face slimming surgery Dubai through buccal fat removal beyond approximately ten years are not yet available which is itself a meaningful concern. Buccal fat removal can worsen the natural facial fat loss that accompanies ageing, potentially accelerating the appearance of a hollow or drawn face over time. Because the buccal fat pad is still developing in very young patients such as those in their early twenties surgeons may advise against performing this procedure at all in this age group. Regardless of age, outcomes that appear gaunt or dramatically altered are always considered suboptimal results that reflect poor patient selection or surgical judgment.
Conclusion
Buccal fat extraction Dubai remains a widely performed and sought-after procedure many actors and models are reported to have undergone it. While this procedure can undoubtedly deliver a more contoured and sculpted facial appearance, selecting the right surgeon through thorough research is absolutely essential. Although generally safe, the procedure carries genuine risks and if performed incorrectly, the results may be unfavorable both in the short term and increasingly so as the face ages over time.
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FAQs
You can see if diet and exercise can help you lose weight. However, it's crucial that you do it safely.
This can happen if a lot of fat has been removed from the cheeks. With time, the quality of your skin will change, and without fat underneath it, your cheeks might appear saggier.
Buccal fat removal targets the fat in the cheeks rather than the jowls, which are the result of aging-related skin changes.
Buccal fat removal in Dubai is performed under local anesthesia through a small 1 cm incision on each side of the cheek, through which the buccal fat pad is carefully extracted removing approximately 2.6 mL of cheek fat per side. The cheek incisions are then closed with dissolvable stitches, and the entire standalone procedure typically takes no more than thirty minutes to complete.
Good candidates for cheek fat removal Dubai are individuals with genuinely prominent, rounded cheeks where excess buccal fat obscures the natural definition of the underlying facial bone structure. Candidates should be at a stable weight, be non-smokers, and hold realistic expectations understanding that results will be refined rather than dramatically transformative to avoid a gaunt or hollow cheek appearance.
Buccal lipectomy Dubai recovery typically involves three to four days of initial downtime, with some patients requiring up to one week before feeling fully normal. Swelling in the cheek area may persist for approximately three weeks, and the final, fully settled results of the procedure are not visible until all swelling has completely resolved which can take up to three months following surgery.
Yes. Buccal fat pad removal Dubai permanently removes the extracted cheek fat it does not grow back. However, the long-term aesthetic outcome depends on individual factors such as age and subsequent weight fluctuations, as the natural loss of facial fat that accompanies ageing can affect the overall facial appearance in the years following the procedure.
Yes. Face slimming surgery Dubai through buccal fat removal is frequently combined with complementary procedures such as a facelift, rhinoplasty, dermal fillers, liposuction, or facial implants to achieve a more comprehensive and harmonious facial rejuvenation result. Combining procedures extends the overall treatment time but reduces total recovery time compared to undergoing each procedure separately at different times.