- Dermatology
- Plastic Surgery
- Ariel N. Rad, M.D., PH.D.
- Face Cosmetic Surgery
- Breast Cosmetic Surgery
- Body Contouring
- Breast Cancer Reconstruction
- Destination & Travel Package
- Gallery
- Testimonials
- Boutique
- PRESS + BLOG
Buccal fat removal is one of the most popular in-office surgical procedures because it is quick, comfortable, and results emerge with minimal down time. Facial contour is created by the shape of the underlying bone (i.e. our facial skeletons) and the fatty tissue overlying it. Attractive and youthful appearing faces have high arched cheekbones and ample upper cheek fat, giving rounded “apples of the cheeks” in women, or a chiseled mid face in men. The lower cheek region, by contrast, should be slightly hollow. Excess fat in the lower cheeks can give an appearance of being overweight and is often referred to as “chipmunk cheeks,” “chubby cheeks,” or “baby fat cheeks” and can create a bottom heavy appearance, or “bowling pin” shape to the face particularly if the upper cheeks are flat, and the lower cheeks are full. Although this cannot be changed by diet and exercise, fortunately the excess fat in the lower cheeks, called buccal fat pads, can be safely and comfortable removed in the office while awake and with local anesthetic numbing medicine in just 30 minutes.
If you are bothered by lower cheek fullness that gives your face a bottom-heavy or “chipmunk cheek” appearance, or you feel that you have no upper cheek definition and your facial contours blends without definition, then you are likely a good candidate. Oftentimes women contour the lower cheek area with makeup to create a shadow below the cheekbones and give the appearance of a lower cheek hollow. This can be created surgically with buccal fat removal. It is quite subtle and will not age the face.
Your vision for your results will emerge through detailed consultation with Dr. Rad, meticulous examination of your anatomy, and careful pre-surgical planning. While Dr. Rad’s surgical approach is unique for each patient, the goal of naturalness remains constant.
Actual Washington DC Face Life Patient of Dr. Rad’s
See More Top Buccal Fat Removal Results
Sherber+Rad cannot guarantee specific results.
Individual results may vary.
We generally want to keep fat volume throughout key areas of our faces such as the temples, eye sockets, upper cheeks and lips. However other areas of our faces should have less fat by proportion – these include the lower cheeks, under-chin and neck. Buccal fat removal actually improves facial proportion by making the upper cheeks more full appearing and the jawline more well defined. Beautiful faces usually have a shadow caused by hollowing in the lower cheek, and women often use make-up to contour this area to create an appearance of hollowing. So in fact the buccal fat removal gives the face a more attractive shape.
This is not true. Youthful appearance faces look heart shaped, whereas older faces take on a square appearance. This is because the lower cheek fat falls down into the jawline creating jowls. Reducing the lower cheek volume by removing the buccal fat pad reverses this aging effect and creates a more attractive and youthful appearance.
No, it can be done very comfortably in the office with local injected anesthetic. The inner cheek tissues are not sensitive and so it is straight forward to numb a small area and remove the fat pads.
The procedure takes only about 20-30 minutes, and patients plan to stay for about an hour from the time they arrive to the time they leave the office.
Minimal swelling occurs making it appear that you didn’t have a procedure and then, over several weeks, the local swelling goes down and you see a gradual, subtle hollowing to the lower cheeks.
Risks are minimal. Very rarely a local hematoma (blood collection) in the cheeks can occur from a blood vessel opening, and possibly nerve stunning can occur. However these are very rare occurrences and in skilled hands should not be a worry.
Not accurately – consultation with Dr. Rad is best to gain an accurate sense of your results. Since each person’s anatomy is different, it is impossible to now how much volume your buccal fat pads have, and how much of an aesthetic improvement you will see. However, Dr. Rad’s patients who undergo buccal fat pad removal are generally very happy with their results.
A.B. in Washington, DC | October 3, 2018
Our plastic surgery office in Washington DC is centered on your comfort and privacy. You’ll be received by our exquisitely attentive staff, and escorted to your own private cabana wherein you’ll feel relaxed and comfortable while consulting discreetly with Dr. Rad. First Dr. Rad will determine if you are a good candidate for surgery and during your consultation you should decide if Dr. Rad is the right surgeon for you. Credentials are crucial and, in addition to being Board certified in plastic surgery, Dr. Rad is Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, and he enjoys an impeccable reputation as a top flight aesthetic surgeon. His facial plastic surgery expertise is sought out as one of the best surgeons in Washington DC, northern Virginia and the US. Your safety is Dr. Rad's primary concern and he will review your medical history. You should inform Dr. Rad of any medical problems or medications that may affect your healing. If you are medically appropriate to undergo surgery then Dr. Rad's focus will be to understand what specific aesthetic concerns you have. Washington DC patients expect natural results with minimal downtime. Dr. Rad will spend time carefully listening to your concerns, asking clarifying questions and then masterfully guiding you, step by step, to understand how your unique anatomy can be improved to convey a rested appearance. Dr. Rad’s goal is to determine the most comprehensive approach for long lasting, natural results while minimizing downtime. Dr. Rad first needs to understand your specific concerns and you should prepare your thoughts prior to your consultation. Think of words that convey how you feel about your appearance. For example, Washington DC patients often say they look fatigued, tired or lackluster because of undereye bags or dark undereye circles, or they look sad, upset or disinterested such as from heavy eyebrows, excess skin above the eyes or downturned corners of the mouth. Patients often relate concerns of looking older than how they feel and this can be caused by jowls, nasolabial folds, loose neck skin, lines and wrinkles. Try to put into words how your appearance bothers you, and the priority you give to each area. Dr. Rad will then present to you his expert opinion about which procedures would be best to restore your anatomy to create a rested and refreshed appearance. And since surgery is intricate Dr. Rad will guide you through a stepwise approach of aesthetic analysis and he’ll deliver his recommendations in a clear and honest manner. Dr. Rad will present all options available in modern day surgery, both non-surgical and surgical. Dr. Rad and Board certified dermatologist Dr. Sherber often collaborate to optimize patients’ results and to minimize invasiveness. As such Dr. Rad’s modern approach to surgery harnesses the power of both dermatology and plastic surgery as both specialities address different aesthetic challenges. For example, plastic surgery is effective to lift, tighten and volumize loose, atrophied tissues, whereas dermatologic treatments such as laser, radiofrequency tightening and skincare are best to improve skin texture, pigmentation and tone. Dr. Rad can address any concerns regarding skin quality and how to obtain and maintain optimal results. Dr. Rad will review with you photos of his patients’ results (many of which you’ll not find online due to privacy concerns) to highlight his aesthetic approaches and skill. He will take your photographs, which remain confidential, to assist with the planning of your surgery. For your safety Dr. Rad performs surgery in a hospital-based operating room, considered to be the safest environment, rather than in the office. Anesthesia is delivered by a board certified anesthesiologist (MD) and you’ll be under light anesthesia which is important for your safety and comfort. You will receive a customized quote for the procedures in which you’re interested. Once approved we may then move forward with pre-operative preparations and you will meet with Dr. Rad again at your final in person consultation prior to surgery. Dr. Rad’s reputation as one of the most technically gifted surgeons attracts patients nationally and from around the world. We cater to patients from across the globe by arranging virtual consultations, luxury accommodations at The Jefferson hotel, Washington DC’s most luxurious 5 star boutique hotel, as well as private nursing care. Your privacy, comfort and safely achieving exceptional results are our top priorities.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY CONSULTATION WITH DR. RAD?
Dr. Rad’s credentials speak for themselves: Princeton (B.S.E, Magna Cum Laude), Duke School of Medicine (M.D.) and University of London (Ph.D.) educated and Johns Hopkins Plastic Surgery trained, he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, and long-standing member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Rad is considered an expert in facial plastic surgery and microsurgery. He is ranked the #1 plastic surgeon in Washington DC based on aggregate ratings from all independent ranking websites: “top rated local“, “three best rated” top plastic surgeon and “top plastic surgeon reviews“. SHERBER+RAD have never engaged in paid advertising, and all rankings, reviews are from vetted and respected sources.
The cost of buccal fat removal is $3,900 all inclusive of pre-surgery and post-surgery care. Your surgeon’s education and training, plastic surgery board certification, his/her experience (at least 8 years of experience after residency is recommended), and the “X” factor of aesthetic artistry and his/her surgical skill (i.e., talent) are reflected in pricing. Financing is available through CareCredit.com should you desire this.
We look forward to welcoming you for your private consultation with Dr. Rad
Enjoy a unique experience centered on your privacy and on unhurried attention to your concerns
Or Send a confidential inquiry and our staff will be happy to reach out to you
Sherber+Rad1101 15th St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20005