Dr. Michael K. Obeng, a board-certified plastic surgeon, describes buccal fat removal and what anyone thinking about it should know.
Buccal fat is located in the center of the cheek and can cause a “baby face” appearance. Buccal fat removal can help slim the face.
Patients boasting about the slimming results have documented the procedure on TikTok. It involves removing fat from the cheeks to create a more contoured face. It is also becoming increasingly popular in Hollywood. Chrissy Teigen, for example, revealed that she had the procedure done last year, showing off her newly defined jawline on Instagram.
Dr. Michael K. Obeng, a board-certified plastic surgeon and member of PEOPLE’s Health Squad, explains the procedure to PEOPLE.
Obeng claims that the procedure has no health benefits, but “People like the way it makes them look like they have a slim face, no puffy cheeks, and sunken-in cheeks. It puffs out the cheekbones and creates a natural contour.”
Obeng, who is based in Los Angeles, has seen an increase in requests for buccal fat removal in his own practice, seeing about four patients per month for the procedure.
Buccal Fat Removal
Chrissy Teigen takes to Instagram to reveal she’s had Buccal Fat Removal done by Dr Jason Diamond. pic.twitter.com/aJNoPrYdzf
— The Cosmetic Lane (@TheCosmeticLane) September 13, 2021
Obeng claims that the procedure takes only two or three minutes and that patients are not put under general anesthesia for it.
There are risks associated with any cosmetic procedure. However, Obeng assures that the risks of buccal fat removal are usually minimal.
The cost, as with most plastic surgery procedures, can be high and varies depending on geography and surgeon. Buccal fat removal has been around for at least 50 years and can cost between $3,000 and $10,000.
Dr. Steven M. Levine, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, told PEOPLE last year that anyone considering this surgery should consult with a board-certified surgeon first.
