The Cheekbones Were There All Along — Let's Uncover Them
Buccal Fat Removal in Ottawa with Dr. Mehrad Jaberi
You work out. You eat well. You're at a healthy weight. But every time you look in the mirror, your face still looks… round. Full. Like you're perpetually storing nuts for winter. Sound familiar? That fullness in the lower cheeks has a name — buccal fat pads — and no amount of dieting or exercise is going to change them. They're just there.
Buccal fat removal is one of the quickest, most impactful procedures Dr. Jaberi offers. We're talking 30 to 45 minutes, local anesthesia, no visible scars, and a recovery so fast your friends will wonder what your skincare secret is. Spoiler: it's not skincare.
Quick Facts
| Procedure Time | 30–45 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia |
| Recovery | 3–5 days |
| Results Last | Permanent |
| Starting From | $5,000 |
What Is Buccal Fat Removal, Exactly?
Let's keep this simple. You have two walnut-sized fat pads deep in your cheeks — one on each side — called buccal fat pads. Everyone has them, but in some people they're larger, which creates that rounded, "baby face" look that sticks around well into adulthood regardless of body weight.
During buccal fat removal, Dr. Jaberi makes a tiny incision inside your mouth — between your cheek and gum — so there's absolutely no visible scarring. He carefully isolates the buccal fat pad, removes the appropriate amount (and this is key — not too much), and closes with dissolvable stitches. That's it.
The result? More defined cheekbones, a slimmer lower face, and a more sculpted jawline that was hiding under that extra volume the whole time. It's one of those procedures where the change is noticeable but not obvious — people will tell you that you look amazing without being able to pinpoint exactly what's different.
One thing Dr. Jaberi is very upfront about: this procedure isn't for everyone. If your face is already lean, removing buccal fat could leave you looking hollow down the road — and that's not a good trade. He's selective about who he recommends this for, because his job is to make you look great for life, not just for your next Instagram post.
Who's the Perfect Candidate?
Buccal fat removal works best for people who:
- Have round or full cheeks despite being at a healthy body weight
- Want more visible cheekbone definition
- Desire a slimmer, more contoured facial profile
- Feel their face looks "puffy" or disproportionately round
- Are in their 20s to early 40s with good skin elasticity
- Have realistic expectations about the degree of change
Dr. Jaberi will honestly assess your facial structure during your consultation. If you're a great candidate, he'll tell you. If you're not, he'll explain why and may suggest alternatives. That honesty is what sets him apart.
What to Expect — From First Call to Final Result
Your Consultation
You'll meet with Dr. Jaberi for a thorough evaluation. He'll examine your facial proportions, discuss your goals, and assess whether buccal fat removal will give you the result you're imagining. He'll also talk about your facial structure in the context of aging — because he's thinking about how you'll look at 50, not just next month.
If you're a good candidate, he'll walk you through exactly what to expect and give you a clear timeline. If he thinks a different approach would serve you better — maybe liposuction of the jowls, or even just Botox for a mild masseter reduction — he'll say so.
The Day Of
This is about as low-key as surgery gets. You'll arrive, get comfortable, and Dr. Jaberi will numb the inside of your cheeks with local anesthesia. You won't feel any pain — just some pressure. The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and you walk out the door afterward. No drains, no bandages, no overnight stay. You literally go home and lie on the couch.
Recovery Timeline
Cheeks will be swollen — you'll actually look more full temporarily. This is totally normal. Soft foods only (smoothies, soup, yogurt). Mild discomfort managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Rinse mouth gently after eating.
Swelling starts coming down noticeably. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work. You can expand your diet to softer solids. The discomfort is essentially gone.
You're back to eating normally. Internal stitches are dissolving. Swelling continues to decrease and you're beginning to see the slimmer profile emerge.
Majority of swelling gone. Your cheekbones are looking more defined. People might start commenting that you look "refreshed" or "like you lost weight."
Final result. The full slimming effect is visible. Contours are settled. This is the face you've been waiting for — more sculpted, more defined, still completely you.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the #1 concern — and a valid one. Here's the reality: if you're a good candidate with genuinely full buccal fat pads, a conservative removal will slim your face beautifully without creating a hollow look as you age. The key word is conservative. Dr. Jaberi never removes more than what's appropriate. He evaluates your bone structure, overall facial volume, and aging trajectory before recommending this procedure. If there's any risk of you looking gaunt later, he simply won't do it.
Yes, 100%. Once the buccal fat pads are removed, they don't regenerate. Your slimmer facial contour is a permanent change. Significant weight gain could add volume back to the face in general, but the specific sculpting from buccal fat removal holds.
Absolutely — and this combo is a game-changer. Buccal fat removal slims the cheeks while submental (under-chin) liposuction defines the jawline and eliminates a double chin. Together, they create a dramatically more sculpted facial profile. Dr. Jaberi can perform both in one session, so you only have one recovery period.
The procedure itself is painless — local anesthesia numbs the area completely. Afterward, you'll have some soreness similar to the feeling after dental work. Most patients manage it with Tylenol and say it's significantly less uncomfortable than they expected. The hardest part is resisting the urge to eat crunchy snacks for a few days.
Buccal fat removal with Dr. Jaberi starts at $5,000. If you're combining it with other procedures like chin liposuction, the total cost will reflect the additional work. You'll get a transparent, itemized quote after your consultation — no hidden fees.
Ready to Reveal Those Cheekbones?
A quick conversation with Dr. Jaberi is all it takes to find out if buccal fat removal is right for you. He'll give you an honest assessment, a clear plan, and zero pressure. Your cheekbones are waiting.
Book Your ConsultationOr call us directly: 613-591-1188