Dreaming of a sharp, sculpted jawline? Many people see stars with flawless facial contours and wonder how they can achieve the same look. Buccal fat removal is one of the most talked-about procedures for getting there.
This surgery removes fat pads from the cheeks to create a slimmer, more defined facial structure.
Chrissy Teigen famously shared that she had this done, sparking a massive wave of interest. This guide explores the buccal fat removal celebrities who have either confirmed the procedure or sparked widespread speculation.
We will break down what the surgery involves, the real risks and benefits, and why so many stars are choosing this path.
Ready to get the inside scoop? Keep reading.
What is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic surgery designed to thin the cheeks by removing the buccal fat pads. This procedure can make your face appear slimmer and more sculpted, enhancing the natural contours of your cheekbones and jawline.
Defining Buccal Fat Removal
Buccal fat removal, known medically as a buccal lipectomy, is a precise procedure that targets the fat pads located in the lower part of your cheeks. A surgeon makes a small incision, about half a centimeter, inside the mouth to access and remove the fat.
This technique ensures there are no visible scars on your face. The surgery is relatively quick, often completed in about 45 minutes under local or general anesthesia.
Recovery typically involves about a week of downtime, with final results becoming visible after about three weeks as the swelling subsides. The results are permanent because the fat cells do not grow back, though significant weight gain can alter your facial appearance.
Risks and Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal
Understanding the pros and cons is crucial before considering this procedure. It offers significant aesthetic benefits but also comes with risks that need careful consideration.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| Creates a more sculpted, chiseled facial appearance. | Potential for an overly “gaunt” or hollowed look as you age. |
| Results are permanent and long-lasting. | Asymmetry, where one side of the face looks different from the other. |
| No visible scarring since incisions are inside the mouth. | Injury to facial nerves or salivary ducts, though this is rare. |
| Can boost self-confidence with an enhanced look. | Infection, bleeding, or adverse reactions to anesthesia. |
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of the procedure itself is around $3,142, but this doesn’t include anesthesia or facility fees. Depending on the surgeon’s experience and location, the total cost in 2025 can range from $2,800 to over $5,000. Many plastic surgeons offer financing options, like medical credit cards such as CareCredit, since the procedure is cosmetic and not typically covered by insurance.
Buccal Fat Removal Celebrities in Hollywood
In Hollywood, a sculpted face is often seen as a key to a mature and leading look. Many stars have either confirmed or are rumored to have undergone buccal fat removal to achieve sharper, more defined features that stand out on camera.
Jennifer Aniston: Buccal Fat Removal Details
It’s widely speculated that Jennifer Aniston had buccal fat removal to maintain her defined and youthful appearance. This type of plastic surgery helps reduce cheek fullness, which can create a more mature and sculpted facial structure. Her subtly enhanced look is often cited as a prime example of how the procedure can refine facial contours without drastic changes, contributing to her timeless beauty.
Zac Efron: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Zac Efron‘s noticeable facial transformation has led to strong speculation that he underwent buccal fat removal. The procedure is thought to have helped him transition from a teen idol to a leading man by giving him a sharper jawline and more sculpted cheeks. His look now is more mature and chiseled, a significant shift from his earlier, fuller-faced appearance.
Megan Fox: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Megan Fox is frequently mentioned in discussions about buccal fat removal. Her perfectly contoured face and sharp features align with the results of the procedure. Dr. Anthony Youn, a well-known plastic surgeon, has speculated that she may have had the surgery to enhance her facial structure. This change is seen as part of her glamorous image and a way to keep up with Hollywood beauty trends.
Dove Cameron: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Dove Cameron’s dramatic transformation has been a major topic of discussion online. Her once-softer features have been replaced by dramatically slimmer cheeks and a pointed jawline. Many fans and experts believe buccal fat removal is at the top of the list of procedures she may have had to achieve her current, highly sculpted look.
Anya Taylor-Joy: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Anya Taylor-Joy is often called a “poster girl” for buccal fat removal, though she has never confirmed it. Her uniquely sculpted face and sharp cheekbones have led many to believe she had the procedure. Fans on social media have pointed out that while expert contouring can achieve a lot, the definition in her jawline suggests a surgical enhancement.
Sophie Turner: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Sophie Turner has also faced rumors about buccal fat removal due to her slimmer facial appearance. However, she addressed the speculation in a 2024 interview with British Vogue. Turner explained that her facial changes were a result of recovering from bulimia, which had caused her face to appear puffy. “When I finally did get better in my early 20s, my face went back to normal,” she stated. “Then, suddenly, all the comments were about whether I’d had buccal fat removal or not.”
Zoe Kravitz: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Zoe Kravitz’s angular bone structure has always been a defining feature, but recent photos showing an even sharper look have fueled buccal fat removal rumors. Dr. Swift, a plastic surgeon, has speculated that before-and-after images show a more defined submalar area, consistent with the procedure. Her chiseled appearance is often cited as an example of the trend in Hollywood.
Buccal Fat Removal Celebrities in Bollywood
The trend of seeking a more defined facial structure isn’t limited to Hollywood. Many Bollywood stars are also rumored to have undergone buccal fat removal to achieve a camera-ready, sculpted look.
Alia Bhatt: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Alia Bhatt is believed to have had subtle work done, including buccal fat removal, to enhance her facial features. After the rumored procedure, her face appeared slimmer and more defined, a change that fans quickly noticed and discussed on social media platforms. The goal seems to have been a subtle refinement rather than a dramatic change.
Karisma Kapoor: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Karisma Kapoor, a well-known Bollywood actress, is also rumored to have undergone buccal fat removal. Her look evolved from having fuller cheeks in her early career to a more chiseled appearance later on. While she has denied having cosmetic surgery, the visible change in her facial contours keeps the speculation alive.
Kareena Kapoor Khan: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Kareena Kapoor Khan, a big name in Bollywood, is rumored to have had buccal fat removal to achieve her famously sharp cheekbones. The procedure would explain her exceptionally chiseled features, which have become a signature part of her look. The surgery is done through a small cut inside the mouth, leaving no external scars.
Khushi Kapoor: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Khushi Kapoor’s change in appearance has generated significant buzz, with many speculating she has had buccal fat removal. Like her sister, Janhvi, she appears to have opted for a procedure to achieve sharper cheekbones and a slimmer face. This reflects a growing trend among younger young stars in Bollywood aiming for a more defined, edgy jawline.
Jahnvi Kapoor: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Jahnvi Kapoor is widely thought to have had a comprehensive overhaul of her facial features, with buccal fat removal being one of the key procedures. This surgery helps create a more sculpted look, which is highly valued for on-camera appearances. While she hasn’t confirmed it, the changes in her face shape are consistent with the results of cheek fat reduction.
Global Celebrities Choosing Buccal Fat Removal
The buccal fat removal trend extends far beyond Hollywood and Bollywood, with global celebrities and models seeking the procedure for a more defined, high-fashion look. Stars from various industries have sparked speculation with their increasingly sculpted features.
Lea Michele: Buccal Fat Removal Details
In December 2022, Lea Michele posted a selfie that immediately ignited rumors of buccal fat removal. Her sky-high cheekbones and newly hollowed cheeks led to widespread discussion on platforms like TikTok and Twitter. While she hasn’t confirmed the surgery, the photo became a major talking point, thrusting the once lesser-known procedure into the mainstream spotlight.
Khloé Kardashian: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Khloé Kardashian‘s evolving look has often been a topic of conversation, and many believe she had buccal fat removal to achieve her more defined facial structure. Some have even suggested she was one of the stars who started the trend. While she has openly discussed other procedures, like a nose job, she has not confirmed cheek fat removal, but her sharper features keep the rumors circulating.
Bella Hadid: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Supermodel Bella Hadid is one of the most cited examples when it comes to buccal fat removal. Though she has denied most surgery rumors aside from a nose job she had at 14, many plastic surgeons and fans believe her ultra-sculpted look is the result of the procedure. Dr. Matthew Schulman commented that her more defined jawline and less full cheeks could be achieved with buccal fat pad reduction.
Chrissy Teigen: Buccal Fat Removal Details
Chrissy Teigen is one of the few celebrities who has openly confirmed having the procedure. In 2021, she took to her Instagram Stories to share her experience. “I did that Dr. Diamond buccal fat removal thing here,” she said, pointing to her cheek. She expressed her satisfaction with the results, noting that quitting drinking also helped her see the effects more clearly. Her honesty helped demystify the surgery for many.
Impact of Buccal Fat Removal on Celebrities
Choosing to get buccal fat removal has both professional and personal consequences for celebrities. The procedure can significantly enhance their public image and career opportunities, but it also comes with notable health risks and the potential for long-term regret.
Career and Public Image Benefits
For many celebrities, a more sculpted face aligns with current beauty standards and enhances their on-screen presence. A sharper, more defined look can help an actor transition into more mature roles or give a model a high-fashion edge. The procedure can boost a star’s public image by making them appear more photogenic and camera-ready, which is essential in an image-focused industry.
Health Risks and Potential Regrets
While buccal fat removal is popular, it is an irreversible procedure with potential downsides. A primary concern among plastic surgeons is that it can lead to a “gaunt” or prematurely aged appearance years later, as the face naturally loses fat with age. Dr. Sarah Yovino, a board-certified injector, notes that patients who have the procedure in their twenties may feel they look older by their forties.
“Facial fat is precious, and as you age, it’s hard to replace. In most cases, this procedure ends up making people look older, less natural, and overly done.” – Dr. Ackerman, Plastic Surgeon
Other health issues include risks common to any surgery, such as infection, bleeding, and asymmetry. There is also a small but serious risk of nerve damage or injury to the salivary ducts. Because the results are permanent, some people may regret the decision later in life and turn to fillers to restore lost volume.
Takeaways
Buccal fat removal is a significant decision for many celebrities looking to achieve a sharper, more defined facial structure. It can make their cheeks appear less round and create a look that aligns with modern beauty ideals.
However, the procedure is permanent and carries risks, including the potential to look prematurely aged as the years go by. Stars like Chrissy Teigen have been open about their experience, fueling public interest and discussion.
Ultimately, while this surgery can offer career benefits for some, it may also lead to the need for additional cosmetic work in the future to restore a youthful appearance.
