Buccal fat removal
Buccal fat removal extracts the buccal fat pads — deep fat deposits in the cheeks — to slim the midface. Well indicated, it is a brief procedure with a subtle result; poorly indicated, it ages the face — which is why judgment matters more than technique.
What is buccal fat removal?
Buccal fat removal partially extracts the buccal fat pads — compartments of deep fat located in the center of the cheeks — to subtly accentuate the cheekbones and slim the face. It is performed from inside the mouth, with no external scars, in a brief outpatient procedure.
It is also one of the procedures that demands the most clinical judgment. That fat serves a purpose: it supports the midface, and it naturally diminishes with age. Removing too much, or removing it from a face that will need it, produces a gaunt look years later. A maxillofacial surgeon evaluates the complete anatomy before recommending it — and rules the procedure out when it is not appropriate, even if the patient arrives asking for it.
Who is this surgery for?
For faces with marked cheek volume that persists at a stable weight, in generally young patients with good bone support. The evaluation studies the balance of the whole face and explains honestly what result is realistic — subtle by design, not a radical transformation.
Recovery
The intraoral incision heals quickly; the swelling of the first days subsides in one to two weeks and the final result appears over the following months as the face defines. Hygiene and diet instructions for the first days are given at the consultation.
How much does buccal fat removal cost in Costa Rica?
Buccal fat removal starts at $500. It is one of the shorter procedures, but the final price still depends on your case: the type of anesthesia and whether it is done alone or alongside another procedure. And the first honest step is confirming the procedure suits your face at all — that is exactly what the evaluation is for.
After your pre-assessment you receive a clear, itemized quote over WhatsApp — and if you are traveling for surgery, before you make any plans.
Is this your case?
The only way to know for sure is an evaluation. Write to us — in English — and the team will coordinate it with Dr. Hernández; if you live abroad, it starts with a remote pre-assessment over WhatsApp.