Buccal Fat Removal Before And After Celebrities

So, I was doom-scrolling the other day—don’t judge, we all do it—when I saw a side-by-side of a famous actress from 2015 and one from last week. Honestly, my first thought was, “Did she discover a new skincare routine or just a really good filter?” Nope. The internet’s collective verdict? Buccal fat removal. It’s the cosmetic procedure that’s turned Hollywood into a game of “Where did her cheeks go?” and it’s everywhere right now.

Let’s back up. You’ve seen those sharp, hollow-cheeked looks on celebrities like Chrissy Teigen (who admitted to it) or Lea Michele (who probably did it). Their faces went from soft and round to sculpted—like someone took a chisel to their cheekbones. It’s dramatic, and honestly, it’s a little weird to watch. Your brain goes, “Wait, that’s the same person who played Rachel Berry or made those Twitter feuds?” Yes. Yes, it is.

So what exactly is this magic trick? Buccal fat removal is a surgery where a doctor removes pads of fat from your lower cheeks—the ones that give you a cherubic, baby-face look. The goal is to create that hollow, high-cheekbone contour you see on models and influencers. Celebrities love it because it’s permanent, subtle-ish (at first), and makes you look a bit more angular. But here’s the kicker: it’s not for everyone, and some stars are regretting it.

The Before: Sweet, Soft, and Kind of Relatable

Before the knife—or laser, or whatever fancy tool they use—these celebs had faces that felt familiar. Think Megan Thee Stallion back in 2019, with full, pillowy cheeks that matched her lively energy. Or Kylie Jenner in her early Lip Kit days, when her face was rounder and less… angular. Those “before” photos make them look younger, warmer, and less intimidating. It’s the face you’d see at a coffee shop and think, “She looks fun,” not “She looks fierce.”

But then comes the “after.” And oh boy, the after is a whole mood shift. Chrissy Teigen posted a selfie in 2022 with cheeks so hollow you could park a car in them. The comment section went wild: “Girl, what happened to your face?!” She later admitted she had the procedure and that it made her look “a bit gaunt” at first. Oof. That’s the risk: you might end up looking tired or aged instead of snatched.

The Ironic Twist: Regret is a Real Thing

Here’s where it gets juicy. Some celebrities are actually reversing buccal fat removal. Wait, what? Yes—you can get fat grafting or fillers to plump the area back up. Linda Evangelista, the supermodel, famously said she regretted her buccal fat removal because it made her look “unrecognizable.” And even Snooki from “Jersey Shore” (remember her?) had it done and later said she missed her cute, squishy cheeks. Irony much? You go under the knife to look younger, and years later, you’re spending more money to look older again.

Let’s be real: the “before and after” pictures are fascinating because they show how much a face can change. You’ve got Michael B. Jordan looking super chiseled in “Creed” versus his earlier “Friday Night Lights” days. His cheeks are leaner now, and it works for his action-hero vibe. But for women, it’s trickier. A hollow face can scream “big pharma” or “I’m starving,” which isn’t exactly aspirational.

Why Do We Care So Much?

Honestly, I think we’re obsessed because it’s a cheat code we can’t afford—literally or emotionally. Buccal fat removal costs between $2,000 and $5,000, plus downtime. But more than that, it’s a reminder that even rich people mess with their faces and sometimes look weird. It’s relatable in a darkly funny way. You and I might Photoshop a pimple; they go full surgical. And then they cry about it on Instagram Live. Love that for them.

So next time you see a celeb with hollow cheeks, don’t just assume it’s aging or weight loss. Look closer. Ask yourself: Is this a buccal fat removal before and after? Probably. And then chuckle, because you know that in a few years, they might be injecting fillers to get back their “before” face. The cycle of beauty, people—it never ends, and it’s hilarious to watch from the couch.