The buccal fat pad is a deep pocket of fat in the lower cheek, and buccal fat removal in Korea takes out part of it through a short incision inside the mouth. At Pixelab Beauty Clinic the surgery is done under IV sedation, with bruising and swelling for 1 to 3 weeks or longer and compression care afterward.
Is it for you?
Who buccal fat surgery suits, and when to hold off
The buccal fat pad sits under the cheekbone, between the chewing muscles and the inner lining of the mouth. Unlike the fat just under the skin, its size changes little with diet or exercise, which is why some lean people still have rounded lower cheeks. Removing part of the pad reduces volume in the hollow below the cheekbone and can make that area look more contoured once swelling has gone.
Fullness in the lower face has other causes, and they need a different approach. A wide jaw angle from a thick masseter muscle or from bone, fat lying just under the skin, and skin that has started to sag will not change much after this operation. Sorting out which of these is behind your cheek shape is the first job of the consultation.
Age matters too. The face loses fat over the decades, and a review warns that long-term follow-up after buccal fat removal is missing, so the effect of taking volume out of a young face on how it ages is not known (Benjamin, 2018). That is the main reason faces that are already slim are steered away from it.
Usually a good fit
- Round lower cheeks while the rest of the face is lean
- Cheek fullness that stays even at a stable body weight
- Adults whose facial growth has finished
- Well enough for surgery under IV sedation
- Able to wait for swelling to settle before judging the shape
We may suggest waiting
- Cheeks that are already slim or hollow
- Width that comes from the jaw muscle or bone
- Fullness mainly from sagging skin
- Gum infection, mouth ulcers or dental work in progress
- Pregnancy, a bleeding disorder or blood thinners that cannot be paused
- Recent fat-dissolving injections in the cheeks (tell the doctor first)
Your doctor
Founder and medical director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“From learning to teaching.”Trained at Seoul & Incheon St. Mary's Hospitals. Now leading hands-on sessions for visiting doctors.
- ResidentPlastic surgery, Catholic Univ. Seoul St. Mary's Hospital
- FellowClinical fellow, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital
- AlmaTitanium Global Trainer
- JeisysDENSITY ALPHA TIP Ambassador
- MemberKorean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
How it works
How buccal fat removal is performed
Buccal fat removal is an intraoral operation: the surgeon reaches the fat pad from inside the mouth, so there is no cut on the outer skin of the face. A short opening is made in the inner lining of the cheek, the tissue beneath is gently spread apart, and the pad is eased forward until the portion to be removed can be lifted out. The opening is then closed with stitches. Dr. Song performs the surgery.
How much to remove is the central decision. Taking only part of the pad keeps some natural padding under the cheekbone, and a single-arm trial of partial removal tracked facial measurements, swelling and satisfaction over the following months (Pimentel, 2022). Surgeons have also refined how the pad is freed: a randomized study comparing techniques found the removal step itself took only minutes per patient (Valencia, 2019).
The anatomy around the pad explains most of the care taken. The duct that carries saliva from the parotid gland opens into the cheek near the upper molars, and small branches of the facial nerve pass close by. The incision is placed with these structures in mind, because injury to either is one of the known, uncommon complications described further down.
The overall evidence is modest. A systematic review reports cosmetic improvement after buccal fat removal, yet notes a lack of long-term outcome data (Traboulsi-Garet, 2021).
Cheek assessment
At consultationCheek fullness is separated into fat pad, muscle, bone and skin factors at rest and when smiling.
IV sedation
Sedation is given through a vein so you stay relaxed during the operation.
Incision inside the mouth
A short opening is made in the inner cheek lining, away from the saliva duct opening.
Partial removal and stitches
The planned portion of the fat pad is lifted out and the opening is stitched closed.
Compression and follow-up
Compression care starts after surgery, and regular follow-up checks track healing.
Face surgery options for full cheeks at Pixelab Beauty Clinic
| Criteria | Buccal fat removal | Front cheek liposuction | Double chin liposuction |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is reduced | Deep fat pad in the lower cheek | Fat under the skin of the front cheeks | Fat under the chin and jawline |
| Where the opening is | Inner cheek lining | Small entry point on the skin | Small entry point on the skin |
| Method | Part of the pad lifted out | Fat suctioned with a thin cannula | Fat suctioned with a thin cannula |
| Anesthesia | IV sedation | IV sedation | IV sedation |
| Price | ₩1,000,000 + VAT | On the face liposuction page | On the face liposuction page |
Which option fits depends on where the fullness sits; this table describes each one and is not a ranking.
At a glance
Buccal fat removal at a glance
| Procedure time | Typically about 30–60 minutes (general literature) |
|---|---|
| Numbing | IV sedation |
| Recovery | Bruising and swelling 1–3 weeks or longer; compression care |
| Follow-up visits | Regular follow-up checks after surgery |
| Return to exercise | Strenuous exercise typically avoided for about 2–3 weeks |
| Earliest flight home | Typically about 7 days, after the first check |
Prices
Buccal Fat Removal Cost in South Korea
Buccal fat removal has one line on the clinic's surgery price list, separate from front cheek, double chin and full-face liposuction. The amount is shown before VAT, and Korea's 10% VAT is added when you pay; the card prints the figure with VAT as well, so the full surgery fee is visible before you book flights.
The price list also carries IV sedation and local anesthesia as their own lines. Ask for an itemized quote that states whether these are added to your surgery fee and confirms that both cheeks are covered, then plan your budget around the total on that quote.
Recovery
Recovery timeline after buccal fat removal
Cheeks feel tight and swollen; compression care begins and soft food is easier
Typically the earliest time to fly, after the first post-op check
Bruising and swelling fade over 1 to 3 weeks, sometimes longer
Strenuous exercise and contact sports typically resume after about 2–3 weeks
Safety
Buccal fat removal risks
Any operation inside the mouth carries surgical risks. The ones reported for this procedure are:
- Swelling, bruising and stiffness when opening the mouth wide in the first weeks.
- Hematoma or seroma, a collection of blood or fluid in the cheek; a series of 302 patients reported about 2%, with no permanent nerve injury (Shu, 2026).
- Injury to the parotid (saliva) duct, which can cause swelling or a saliva leak and may need further treatment (Weissler, 2022).
- Temporary weakness of facial movement from irritation of a facial nerve branch, described in case reports (Franco, 2024).
- Infection inside the mouth, or a wound that opens before it heals.
- Numbness, uneven cheeks or a result that looks too hollow, which is hard to reverse.
Earlier treatment in the area changes the odds. A comparative study found lower success and more complications when the cheeks had previously been treated with injection lipolysis (Sirimahachaiyakul, 2023). If you have had fat-dissolving injections in your face, say so at the consultation.
Message the clinic promptly if one cheek swells much more than the other, pain keeps increasing, fever develops or you notice clear fluid draining inside the mouth.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Buccal fat pad excision for cheek refinement: A systematic reviewMedicina Oral Patología Oral y Cirugia Bucal · 2021 · Traboulsi-Garet B et al. · doi:10.4317/medoral.24335
A systematic review of buccal fat removal for cheek refinement: cosmetic improvement is reported, but long-term outcome data are lacking.
- Buccal Fat Pad Excision: Proceed with CautionPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2018 · Benjamin M · doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000001970
A cautionary review: without long-term follow-up, the effect of removing buccal fat on how the face ages, as other facial fat thins, is unknown.
- Buccal Fat Pad Excision: Incidence, Management, and Clinical Observations of Postoperative Hematoma and Seroma in 302 PatientsAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2026 · Shu K et al. · doi:10.1007/s00266-026-06305-0
A series of 302 patients reporting hematoma and seroma in about 2% and no permanent nerve injury.
- Buccal Fat Pad Excision: Hydrodissection TechniqueAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2019 · Valencia L et al. · doi:10.1093/asj/sjz040
A randomized study comparing techniques for freeing the buccal fat pad, including the time taken for the removal step.
- An Algorithmic Approach to Managing Parotid Duct Injury Following Buccal Fat Pad RemovalAesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum · 2022 · Weissler J et al. · doi:10.1093/asjof/ojac032
A case series on parotid duct injury after buccal fat removal and how it was managed.
- Success Rate of Buccal Fat Pad Removal in Cases of Previous Injection Lipolysis of the Cheeks: A Comparative AnalysisPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2023 · Sirimahachaiyakul P et al. · doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000005410
A comparative study finding lower success and more complications when cheeks had previous injection lipolysis.
FAQ
Buccal fat removal FAQ
How much does buccal fat removal cost in Korea?
At Pixelab Beauty Clinic, buccal fat removal is ₩1,000,000 + VAT, or ₩1,100,000 with VAT. IV sedation and local anesthesia appear as separate lines on the price list, so request an itemized quote to see your full surgery total.
Is buccal fat removal the same as cheek liposuction?
No. Buccal fat removal lifts part of a deep fat pad out through the inside of the mouth. Front cheek liposuction suctions fat lying just under the skin through a small entry point. The clinic lists them as separate surgeries with separate prices.
What is the recovery like after buccal fat removal?
The clinic expects bruising and swelling for 1 to 3 weeks or longer, with compression care during that time and regular follow-up checks. The amount removed and how your tissue reacts both affect the pace, and the final shape shows only after the swelling has gone.
When can I fly home after buccal fat removal?
General guidance for cosmetic face surgery is to wait about 7 to 10 days, and for this operation that typically means about 7 days, after the first post-op check. No buccal-specific flight study exists, so book a flexible return and keep your stay long enough for that check.
Who performs buccal fat removal at the clinic?
Dr. Jongkeun Song, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon and the Medical Director, performs the surgery. Plastic surgery training includes the facial anatomy this operation depends on, such as the saliva duct and facial nerve branches near the fat pad.
Will my cheeks look hollow as I get older?
It is possible, and no one can predict it with certainty. The face loses fat with age, and long-term studies after buccal fat removal are lacking. Removing only part of the pad and avoiding the operation in faces that are already slim are ways to limit that risk.
Can men have buccal fat removal?
Yes. The operation is the same for men and women. The goal is often different, since many men want to keep some fullness under the cheekbone, so the amount removed is planned with the jaw and cheekbone shape in mind.
Is the buccal fat removal price before VAT?
Yes. Every price on this page is before VAT, and the 10% VAT is added at payment. Sedation and local anesthesia are listed on their own lines, so check on your written quote which lines apply to you and whether both cheeks are covered.
Can I book my buccal fat consultation in English?
Yes. An English interpreter works at the clinic, and you can message us on WhatsApp in English before you travel with photos of your face and your questions. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Do I pay a deposit for surgery, and can I cancel?
Deposit and cancellation terms are not posted on this page. Ask for them in writing, with the itemized quote, before you transfer any money or book flights, so you know what is refundable if your dates change.
Does buccal fat removal leave a visible scar?
The incision is made inside the mouth, so there is no cut on the outer skin of the face. The inner cheek lining heals with a small line that is not visible from outside. Keeping the mouth clean while it heals lowers the chance of infection.
I had fat-dissolving injections in my cheeks. Can I still have buccal fat removal?
It may still be possible, but a comparative study found lower success and more complications after previous injection lipolysis in the cheeks. Tell the clinic which injections you had and when, so the surgeon can weigh this before planning surgery.