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Face · the procedure family

Buccal Fat Reduction in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Buccal fat reduction removes a measured portion of the buccal fat pad — the deep pocket of fat in the lower cheek. It slims a round or full lower face and lets the cheekbone line show.

The incision is inside the mouth, so nothing shows on the skin. Removal is deliberately conservative: the goal is definition, not hollowness — a face that still looks natural as you age.

Performed by the surgeons of Tulsa Surgical Arts — the practice behind the AACS-certified cosmetic surgery fellowship — in an AAAHC-accredited surgery center with a private overnight guest suite. A slimmer midface — conservatively done.
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How it works

What happens in the operating room.

  1. You get numbing medicine, often with light sleep medicine. Some people are fully asleep.
  2. A small incision — about a centimeter — is made inside each cheek. There is no incision on the face.
  3. A measured portion of the buccal fat pad is gently delivered through the incision and removed. The two sides are matched.
  4. The incisions are closed with a few absorbable stitches that dissolve on their own.
  5. Surgery usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. You go home the same day.
The honest risk list — read it before your consult

Every surgery has risks. These are the main ones, in plain words — and we go over all of them with you in person.

  • Swelling that hides the result for weeks — the cheeks settle slowly.
  • Removing too much can hollow the face over time. Conservative removal protects against this.
  • Injury to the duct that carries saliva, or to small nerve branches. This is rare.
  • Bleeding. Some bleeding can need another trip to the operating room.
  • Infection. Signs are spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
  • Scars. Every cut leaves a scar. Most fade over a year. Some stay raised or wide.
  • Numb skin near the cuts. Feeling usually returns over months. Small areas can stay numb.
  • Blood clots in the legs. A clot can travel to the lungs. That is an emergency.
  • Problems from anesthesia (the medicine that makes you sleep). These are rare in healthy people.
  • Uneven results. The two sides of the body are never a perfect match.
  • The need for another surgery to fix a problem or improve the result.

Recovery, honestly

What the weeks actually look like.

The arc

First few daysCheek swelling peaks — you may look fuller at first, not slimmer. Rinse gently after meals.
One weekMost swelling starts down. Eating is comfortable, starting with soft foods.
Two weeksMost people are comfortable in public. The incisions inside the mouth are healing closed.
Two to four monthsThe true contour emerges as the deep swelling resolves.

When to call, day or night

In any emergency, call 911 first

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department now — do not drive yourself, do not wait:

  • Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing.
  • Fainting, sudden confusion, or weakness on one side of the body.
  • One leg swells, or one calf hurts more than the other.
  • Blood soaks a bandage and does not slow down with gentle pressure.

Otherwise call 918-392-7900, day or night, if:

  • You have a fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher.
  • Redness spreads out from a cut, or you see pus.
  • Your pain gets much worse instead of better.
The full Patient Resource Center →

Cost, answered

What buccal fat reduction actually costs.

We don’t do internet price tags. Pricing moves with your anatomy, primary versus revision, and what your plan combines — so your consultation ends with one written, all-in number: surgeon, anesthesia, AAAHC-accredited facility, and follow-up included. We honor it.

How pricing worksFinancing — PatientFi · CareCredit · Cherry
Combining procedures shares anesthesia and facility time — combinations are priced as one plan at consultation.

Questions

Asked at nearly every consult.

How long does the surgery take?
About 30 to 60 minutes, and you go home the same day.
When can I be back at work?
Most people are back to work in a few days — public-facing work within a week is common.
Will there be scars?
No — the incisions are inside the mouth. Nothing shows on the skin.
What does it cost?
Pricing is personal — it depends on your anatomy and the complexity of your plan. Your consultation ends with one written, all-in number: surgeon, anesthesia, AAAHC-accredited facility, and follow-up included.

Start here

One conversation. Zero pressure.

Meet the surgeon, get examined, and leave with a written plan and a written number — both yours to keep.

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