A cheek reduction can be performed by removing the buccal fat pad. The buccal fat pad is a collection of tissue located under the cheek bones, containing lobules of fat. The pad can be partially removed by making an incision inside the mouth, gently teasing out the fat globules from within the mouth.

It is important to realise that the buccal fat pad shrinks as we age. Too much removal of the fat pad can mean a gaunt look as we grow older, as the fat pad becomes too thin. The recovery process is in the order of a few weeks, as all the swelling and bruising settles.

Cheek bones can be made higher to accentuate the look achieved by buccal fat pad reduction.