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Buccal Fat Removal Columbus Ohio

Buccal Fat Removal Columbus, Ohio

An In-Office Procedure To Reduce Cheek Volume & Enhance Definition

Buccal fat removal is a straightforward, in-office surgical procedure designed to slim the face, define the cheekbones and enhance natural facial structure. It’s ideal for patients with rounder faces who want a more sculpted look. This procedure is performed by Dr. Michelle Sieffert, a board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in both face and body procedures.

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Dr. Sieffert's Buccal Fat Reduction Patient

Minimal Downtime & Long-Term Results All While Being Awake

Buccal fat removal can be comfortably completed in our office using local anesthesia, along with optional oral sedation or Pro-Nox to help you relax throughout the process. You’ll remain fully awake while Dr. Sieffert skillfully removes just the right amount of buccal fat to refine your natural features.

Most patients fully recover within 7 to 10 days. During this period, we recommend a soft food or liquid diet to avoid disrupting the healing incisions inside your mouth. A high-protein diet can support tissue repair, and it’s important to avoid alcohol during your recovery to minimize inflammation and complications.

Surgeon who performs buccal fat removal surgery

Dr. Sieffert’s Signature Approach

Establishing Natural Contours with Purpose & Poise

You may hear us refer to this procedure as “buccal fat reduction.” That is because Dr. Sieffert never fully removes the fat pad. Instead, she carefully tailors the amount removed to create definition without causing a gaunt or hollow appearance. Her goal is to highlight your natural beauty with a subtle, elevated result that you can be proud of long-term.

Who Is A Candidate For Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?

Buccal fat removal isn’t a suitable solution for all patients. In the wrong patient, it can lead to unwanted hollowness. However, it can be a great option for individuals with fuller, rounder faces who are looking for more definition in the cheeks. Candidates should be in good health and have realistic expectations about how this procedure can complement their existing features.

Temporary Solutions

Nonsurgical Alternatives to Buccal Fat Removal

Dermal filler patient to achieve greater cheek definition

Dermal Filler

Uses hyaluronic acid filler injections to add strategic volume to other facial areas and create the appearance of a slimmer, more contoured face.

Cheek Filler

Morpheus8

Uses fine-tuned radiofrequency microneedling to tighten skin and reduce subtle fat deposits without surgery.

Morpheus8

Botox patient touching her masseter muscle that has been treated

Masseter Botox

Relaxes the masseter muscle to subtly slim the lower face over time, with no downtime and minimal discomfort.

Botox

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the fat removed is gone for good, but your face may still evolve due to weight changes, aging and genetics. It is considered a permanent procedure because the fat cells that are removed from the buccal fat pad do not regenerate.

The buccal fat pad itself is a distinct, encapsulated structure located between the facial muscles. It’s not the same as subcutaneous fat that may fluctuate with weight gain or loss. Once a portion of this pad is excised, it cannot grow back.

Facial fullness can still change over time due to aging, hormonal shifts or significant weight fluctuations. These changes typically affect surrounding tissues (like skin laxity, volume loss in other fat compartments or muscle tone), rather than the area directly treated, but they can still influence your long-term facial contours. Strategic reduction and a personalized plan are essential for ensuring results that hold up naturally over time.

Yes, volume can be restored later, though the process is more nuanced than it may seem. Dermal fillers can be injected into targeted areas of the midface to reintroduce contour and fullness. However, this is a temporary solution, generally lasting 6 to 18 months, depending on the product used and individual metabolism.

Facial Fat Transfer Surgery To Restore Volume

Fat grafting (or autologous fat transfer) is a more permanent alternative that involves harvesting fat from another area of the body (such as the abdomen or thighs) and injecting it into the cheeks. However, the survival of these grafted fat cells varies widely across patients and techniques. Scientific studies report fat retention rates ranging from approximately 20% to over 80%, with a more consistent average between 50–70%. This variability is influenced by factors like the fat-processing method (e.g., centrifugation, filtration), injection technique, site vascularity and individual healing responses.

Moreover, even when fat “takes,” up to 50% of transferred volume may be lost over time, and sometimes multiple sessions are necessary to achieve optimal fullness

Because volume restoration carries more complexity — and doesn’t always replicate the appearance of natural buccal fat — Dr. Sieffert takes a conservative, preservation-focused approach to buccal fat reduction.

Absolutely. Buccal fat removal is often paired with a lip lift, facelift and/or chin liposuction for enhanced results. Combining procedures can also optimize recovery time.

No, not inherently. Aging concerns arise when too much fat is removed, which is why Dr. Sieffert focuses on tasteful reduction, not elimination. Her long-term goal is to ensure your results age naturally and beautifully.

The buccal fat pad is a natural part of facial anatomy and varies in size from person to person. Genetics largely determine its size, though it can naturally diminish with age. In some individuals, it remains prominent into adulthood, contributing to a rounder facial appearance.

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Dr. Michelle Sieffert and her team are here to help you feel more confident in your skin — safely, comfortably and completely awake! Are you ready to explore buccal fat removal in Columbus, Ohio?

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