Question 1

How much does buccal fat removal cost in Miami?

Accepted Answer

The cost of buccal fat removal is determined during your consultation and depends on multiple factors, including the surgical facility, the type of anesthesia used, and the level of surgical specialization. No two patients have identical anatomy or identical cases. Dr. Mesa does not publish pricing online because consultation is the only accurate way to determine what your procedure will involve. Financing is available through CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and PatientFi.

Question 2

Is buccal fat removal worth it?

Accepted Answer

For properly selected candidates, buccal fat removal produces a permanent improvement in facial contour that no non-surgical treatment can replicate. The value is highly individual and depends on your anatomy, your goals, and the quality of the surgical execution. In the right patient, the change is meaningful and lasting.

Question 3

What is the ideal age for buccal fat removal?

Accepted Answer

Most surgeons recommend waiting until the mid-twenties, when the face has fully matured. Buccal fat pads naturally reduce slightly with age, and removing them too early risks over-correction. Dr. Mesa evaluates each patient's facial structure individually. For most candidates, the procedure is appropriate from the mid-twenties onward, with no upper age limit for appropriate candidates.

Question 4

Can I remove buccal fat naturally?

Accepted Answer

No. Buccal fat pads are a distinct structural compartment of the face and do not respond to diet, exercise, or any topical treatment. They are inherited structures. The only way to permanently reduce them is through surgical removal.

Question 5

Does buccal fat removal define the jawline?

Accepted Answer

Buccal fat removal refines the midface and allows the cheekbones to project more visibly. It does not define or alter the jawline. Jawline definition comes from a different procedure. Patients seeking both outcomes should discuss their full facial anatomy with Dr. Mesa during consultation.

Question 6

How long does the procedure take?

Accepted Answer

Buccal fat removal with Dr. Mesa typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. It is performed under local anesthesia at his Miami office, requires no hospital stay, and patients drive themselves home afterward.

Question 7

What is the recovery like after buccal fat removal?

Accepted Answer

Recovery is minimal. Mild swelling is expected in the first few days and resolves on its own. Most patients return to work or normal daily activities the following day. Dr. Mesa's post-procedure instructions are straightforward and designed to fit a regular schedule.

Question 8

Is there any visible scarring after buccal fat removal?

Accepted Answer

There is no external scarring. All incisions are made discreetly inside the mouth. Nothing is visible on the skin. Most people around you will notice a difference without being able to identify what changed.

Question 9

Is the result permanent?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Buccal fat removal is a one-time, permanent procedure. The fat pads do not regenerate. Unlike dermal fillers or non-surgical treatments that require ongoing sessions, this procedure delivers a lasting result from a single surgical visit.

Question 10

Do I need general anesthesia for buccal fat removal?

Accepted Answer

No. Dr. Mesa performs buccal fat removal exclusively under local anesthesia. There is no IV sedation, no general anesthesia, and no need for an anesthesiologist. This approach is safer, reduces cost, and allows patients to drive themselves home the same day.

Question 11

Does Dr. Mesa perform buccal fat removal in Miami?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr. Mesa performs buccal fat removal at his Miami office. His primary practice is located at 903 Park Avenue in New York City, and he extends that same standard of care to patients in Miami, Miami Beach, Aventura, Hollywood FL, and throughout South Florida.

Question 12

Can I have a virtual consultation if I am outside Miami?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Virtual consultations are available for patients across South Florida, including those in Coral Gables, Brickell, Doral, Hialeah, Weston, Key Biscayne, and Fort Lauderdale. An in-person visit to the Miami office is required before the procedure, but the initial consultation can be conducted remotely.

Question 13

Does insurance cover buccal fat removal?

Accepted Answer

No. Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by medical insurance. Financing is available through CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and PatientFi. Dr. Mesa's office accepts all major credit cards, cash, and cashier's checks.

Question 14

When will I see the full result?

Accepted Answer

Initial changes become visible at approximately three weeks. Final results are typically visible at three to six weeks as post-procedure swelling fully resolves and the natural facial contours settle. The outcome continues to refine over the following months.

Question 15

Why choose a New York surgeon for buccal fat removal in Miami?

Accepted Answer

The standard of training, case volume, and surgical discipline in New York City's competitive medical environment produces a caliber of surgeon that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Dr. Mesa's 12 years of postgraduate training at Harvard-affiliated institutions, combined with his exclusive focus on the face, reflects a level of preparation and precision that patients in South Florida previously had to travel to access. Now they do not.

A More Sculpted, Refined Face: Revealed, Not Created