Buccal fat pad removal, also known as cheek fat removal or buccal lipectomy, is a surgery that removes excess fat pads from the cheeks to create a more contoured facial appearance. It is generally used to reduce chubby cheeks (“chipmunk cheeks”) that can be due to genetics, weight gain or age. Buccal fat pad removal is gaining popularity amongst many Hollywood stars to achieve a more defined facial contour.

Dr Moodley most commonly performs what he calls “buccal space modification” in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures to help reshape the face to fit more aesthetic contours. When evaluating a patient’s face, Dr Moodley’s philosophy is that the goal of facial rejuvenation surgery should be to create soft transitions between the different subunits of the face (upper face, mid-face, lower face). This approach often involves refining the appearance of the buccal fat pads if they are excessively convex so that soft transitions can be achieved.

The procedure is performed through the inside of the mouth, via a very small incision, under local or general anaesthetic.