Buccal Fat Excision

Charlotte's Most Trusted Plastic Surgeon

— delivering confidence through precision and care.

Improve the Definition of Your Cheeks & Jawline

Some faces carry youth beautifully, but too much fullness can give the cheeks a soft, rounded appearance that doesn’t match your maturity. When done thoughtfully by a surgeon who understands your unique facial anatomy and how it will age, buccal fat excision can create naturally sculpted contours that help you look sharp, confident and effortlessly put together.

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TRUST YOUR LOOK TO AN EXPERT

With years of experience in facial surgery, Dr. Brian May delivers results that are refined, authentic, and naturally you.

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Buccal Fat Excision
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Anesthesia

Local or general

Procedure Time

30-60 minutes

Recovery

1 week

What Is Buccal Fat Excision?

Buccal fat excision is a surgical procedure that removes a portion of the fat pads from the cheeks to create more defined facial contours and enhance the prominence of the cheekbones. The buccal fat pads are naturally occurring fat deposits located in the lower portion of the cheeks, and their size and position can significantly influence your overall facial shape.

My goal is simple. I combine surgical precision with genuine, personalized care so every patient not only looks their best but feels seen, heard, and confident in their transformation.

- Dr. Brian May

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What Can Buccal Fat Excision Address?

Buccal fat excision can enhance facial definition when performed on appropriate candidates. Dr. May's expert techniques can address:

  • Fuller, rounder cheeks that mask cheekbone definition
  • Lack of midface contour or sculpting
  • Prominent or descended buccal fat pads
  • Desire for more angular facial features

Dr. May reserves buccal fat excision for carefully selected candidates, typically those with naturally fuller, rounder cheeks or patients who are showing some descent of the buccal fat pads. During your consultation, he will review the risks/benefits of this procedure and explore if other options, like facial contouring or weight loss, could help you achieve your goals.

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The Art & Science of Facial Rejuvenation With Dr. May

There's something uniquely satisfying about solving a complex problem with precision and creativity, a mindset Dr. May developed long before he ever held a scalpel. His undergraduate engineering degree taught him to approach challenges methodically, while his artistic sensibility ensures every solution is as beautiful as it is functional. This blend of analytical thinking and creative vision shapes how Dr. May approaches every facial rejuvenation procedure, seeing the signs of aging not as separate “issues” but as an interconnected system that needs to be rebalanced as a whole.

Technical skill gets you halfway there, but Dr. May’s artistic eye is what separates good results from truly transformative ones, influencing everything from incision placement to tissue repositioning. He also considers factors like natural facial asymmetries, expression patterns and even how someone’s face moves when they smile or laugh to craft each surgical plan.

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“I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach and tailor every aspect of the procedure.”

- Dr. Brian May

Procedure Details

At May Plastic Surgery, buccal fat excision is performed as an outpatient procedure, typically under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure, whether it is being combined with other facial surgeries, and patient preferences.

Dr. May makes small incisions inside the mouth, eliminating any external scarring. Through these carefully placed incisions, he accesses the buccal fat pads and removes a precise amount of fat to subtly enhance facial definition without compromising long-term aesthetics. His careful, targeted approach helps avoid a hollowed or gaunt appearance years down the road.

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Recovery & Results

Recovery from buccal fat excision is generally comfortable, with most swelling and discomfort resolving within the first week. Since incisions are made inside the mouth, there are no external scars to worry about, and most patients can return to normal activities relatively quickly.

You'll notice improved facial definition as swelling subsides. Your final contours will appear over the next several months, revealing a slimmer, more sculpted appearance that complements your natural facial structure. Dr. May's thoughtful, conservative approach to buccal fat pad removal ensures balanced results that will age beautifully with you.

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Inside the Consultation Room With
Dr. Brian May

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What can I expect at my consultation?

The first consultation is a genuine, thoughtful conversation. We want the experience to feel comforting and non-clinical while still meeting all the medical needs of our patients. We’ll talk in-depth about your goals, concerns and medical history, and I’ll perform a physical exam to help determine the best treatment options. I like to think that my approach is honest and educational. I want patients to leave feeling informed, not pressured. You’ll receive a customized plan and have plenty of time to ask questions. This is your space to explore what’s right for you. We’ll also make sure to discuss skincare and how to properly prepare for surgery, as well as how to take care of your skin after surgery to ensure the best results possible.

Who is a good candidate for buccal fat excision?

Buccal fat excision is reserved for carefully selected patients, typically those with fuller, rounder faces, or those already showing some descent or prominence of the buccal fat pad. I generally avoid this procedure in patients who already have thinner faces or minimal facial fat, as over-resection can result in a hollow, gaunt appearance, especially as facial fat naturally decreases with age.

How can I be sure my results will look natural and not overdone?

Through meticulous planning, customization and execution. I use the latest surgical techniques and maintain a relentless commitment to continuous learning. I also set realistic expectations and follow patients closely during their recovery to ensure optimal results. It is my opinion that some plastic surgeons will simply do the procedure a patient asks for because their friend had it or because they read about it. I offer options and have in-depth conversations about the pros and cons of those options. If a patient’s goals do not align with what I feel is a safe or appropriate treatment, I am more than comfortable telling them no or that I’m not their surgeon.

Adjunct Procedures:

To take your

Buccal Fat Excision

results to the next level, consider these options for a more complete transformation:

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Facelift

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Follow us on Instagram @brianmaymd

Request Your Consultation

At May Plastic Surgery, Dr. May believes that facial enhancement should improve your natural beauty while standing the test of time. His conservative approach to buccal fat excision helps carefully selected patients achieve better facial definition with results that age gracefully. Call us at 704-200-2493 to schedule your consultation and discover if this procedure is right for you.

704.200.2493
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