What is cheek fat and should it be removed?

Comments and videos about the plastic surgery have skyrocketed on social media, spurred by discussions about whether or not many celebrities have had slimmer cheeks. On TikTok, the hashtag #buccalfatremoval It has garnered more than 157 million views in recent weeks.

Chrissy Teigen Owned even had her cheek fat removed last year. But videos and comments about the procedure circulated on social media this month after the actress Lea Michele posted a photo On Instagram she shows off her well-defined cheeks. (Michelle did not refer to the procedure in her post or comment on the speculation. She cannot be reached through her representatives.)

The discussion prompted many people to start sharing their own stories of buccal fat removal. Single young woman She said she had the operation because she always felt her round face didn’t match her petite body. Others who were pleased with the procedure shared Before and after photos on TikTok.

But a number of TikTok videos, too warning against Action. Cheek fat cannot grow back, and as people get older and naturally lose fat from their face, the results may be sallow cheeks and an emaciated, unhealthy appearance.

The Washington Post interviewed several plastic surgeons about the procedure. That’s what they had to say.