Whether confirmed or just speculated by fans and plastic surgeons alike, many celebrities have sparked intense online debates over their changing facial features, particularly around the cheeks.
From impossibly sculpted jawlines to hollowed mid-faces, many believe these stars may have undergone buccal fat removal, also known as bichectomy, an increasingly maligned cosmetic procedure that slims the lower face by removing the fat pads from the cheeks.
The procedure is usually combined with filler injections in the cheekbone area, creating an even more angular appearance.
While some deny it and others stay silent, the suspicion remains. Here's a breakdown of the most talked-about faces in Hollywood that have fueled buccal fat removal rumors.
#1 Lauren Sanchez
As the current wife of Jeff Bezos stepped more into the spotlight, many took note of her ultra-defined cheeks and theorized that buccal fat removal was likely the reason.
Not only that, but Sanchez has even been cited by critics as an example of what it might look like if someone underwent every trending cosmetic procedure at once.
Not only that, but Sanchez has even been cited by critics as an example of what it might look like if someone underwent every trending cosmetic procedure at once.
56points
#2 Anya Taylor-Joy
Once admired for her expressive eyes, Anya’s ethereal beauty now seems defined by her hollow cheeks. While some fans insist her look is simply genetic, others remain skeptical.
Regardless of the reason, she has become one of the “poster girls” of the procedure, appearing in many comparisons made by those criticizing the surgery.
Regardless of the reason, she has become one of the “poster girls” of the procedure, appearing in many comparisons made by those criticizing the surgery.
54points
#3 Demi Moore
Demi shocked fans at a Fendi runway show when her cheeks appeared sunken and her face considerably altered.
Buccal fat removal rumors exploded afterward, with many pointing to the dramatic division between her cheekbones and jaw as proof.
Buccal fat removal rumors exploded afterward, with many pointing to the dramatic division between her cheekbones and jaw as proof.
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53points
#4 Megan Fox
Her ever-changing face has kept fans speculating for years. Now that she’s returned to the spotlight after giving birth to her daughter, Saga Blade, with Machine Gun Kelly, the conversation surrounding her appearance has reignited.
To this day, many believe the actress’s sculpted cheeks are the result of a bichectomy, but her fans say it’s only the passage of time.
To this day, many believe the actress’s sculpted cheeks are the result of a bichectomy, but her fans say it’s only the passage of time.
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41points
#5 Jenna Ortega
Beyond her gothic wardrobe and bleached eyebrows, fans are now expressing worry for what many believe is a far more permanent transformation.
Following her back-to-back red carpet appearances for the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday, many believe the 22-year-old actress removed fat from her cheeks, as she appeared markedly hollow compared to previous appearances.
Her fans, however, believe the look is nothing more than the result of makeup.
Following her back-to-back red carpet appearances for the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday, many believe the 22-year-old actress removed fat from her cheeks, as she appeared markedly hollow compared to previous appearances.
Her fans, however, believe the look is nothing more than the result of makeup.
38points
#6 Dove Cameron
The Disney Channel alum’s transformation has been one of the most discussed online.
With dramatically slimmer cheeks, a pointed jawline, fuller lips, and a noticeably lifted brow area, many fans believe Dove Cameron has undergone a combination of procedures.
Buccal fat removal is often at the top of the list, along with jaw filler, lip filler, Botox, and a possible brow lift.
With dramatically slimmer cheeks, a pointed jawline, fuller lips, and a noticeably lifted brow area, many fans believe Dove Cameron has undergone a combination of procedures.
Buccal fat removal is often at the top of the list, along with jaw filler, lip filler, Botox, and a possible brow lift.
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33points
#7 Erin Moriarty
The Boys actress’s face shape appeared dramatically different between seasons, especially around the mid-face. Fans speculated she may have had buccal fat removed, among several other procedures.
Moriarty has been considered the most dramatic and confusing example of the procedure.
With her original casting as Starlight relying entirely on her looking like “that cute girl next door,” many fans believe she no longer fits her character.
Moriarty has been considered the most dramatic and confusing example of the procedure.
With her original casting as Starlight relying entirely on her looking like “that cute girl next door,” many fans believe she no longer fits her character.
32points
#8 Bella Hadid
One of the most cited examples online, Bella's ultra-chiseled look has led many to believe she's had her buccal fat removed, though she’s denied most surgeries besides a nose job.
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29points
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#9 Sophie Turner
Turner’s leaner cheeks have long fueled rumors of buccal fat removal, to the point that she addressed the speculation in a 2024 interview with British Vogue.
She chalked the changes up to getting healthier after battling bulimia, explaining, “When you’re bulimic, your face tends to bloat.
So, when I finally did get better in my early 20s, my face went back to normal. Then, suddenly, all the comments were about whether I’d had buccal fat removal or not. You can never win.”
She chalked the changes up to getting healthier after battling bulimia, explaining, “When you’re bulimic, your face tends to bloat.
So, when I finally did get better in my early 20s, my face went back to normal. Then, suddenly, all the comments were about whether I’d had buccal fat removal or not. You can never win.”
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29points
#10 Ariana Grande
Grande’s increasingly slim face initially sparked the usual bichectomy rumors, but fan concern now goes far deeper.
Her drastic weight loss, paired with her role in Wicked, has fueled debates about her influence on young audiences.
After being called “skeletal” and “robotic” online, she was forced to address the backlash, saying her past look was actually her unhealthiest and asked fans to stop commenting on her body.
Her drastic weight loss, paired with her role in Wicked, has fueled debates about her influence on young audiences.
After being called “skeletal” and “robotic” online, she was forced to address the backlash, saying her past look was actually her unhealthiest and asked fans to stop commenting on her body.
29points
#11 Miley Cyrus
While Miley’s facial structure has evolved naturally with age, some fans speculate she may have had help achieving her more angular look.
Before-and-after comparisons show notable changes in her eyes, the width of her nose bridge, and her teeth.
In recent years, these changes have been accompanied by a slimmer look, with the controversial buccal fat removal “cheek dent” being added to the mix.
Before-and-after comparisons show notable changes in her eyes, the width of her nose bridge, and her teeth.
In recent years, these changes have been accompanied by a slimmer look, with the controversial buccal fat removal “cheek dent” being added to the mix.
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28points
#12 Lea Michele
Lea’s fans have noticed her face appeared noticeably more sculpted in recent years, especially in red carpet photos, leading to speculation about buccal fat removal.
27points
#13 Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy is one of the few stars who has openly admitted to getting her buccal fat removed, calling it a decision she doesn’t regret.
25points
#14 Mila Kunis
Known for her natural beauty, Kunis’s cheeks appear leaner than in past years. While some fans have floated the idea of buccal fat removal, most believe her evolving face is simply the result of aging and weight fluctuation, not surgery.
“She’s losing facial fat, it's a sign of aging,” a fan wrote. “Which makes buccal fat removal even more asinine, cheek fat makes you look more youthful.”
“She’s losing facial fat, it's a sign of aging,” a fan wrote. “Which makes buccal fat removal even more asinine, cheek fat makes you look more youthful.”
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25points
#15 Hailey Bieber
Hailey has been at the center of buccal fat removal discourse, especially as before-and-after shots of her jawline and cheeks continue to circulate online.
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24points
#16 Zoe Kravitz
Zoë’s bone structure has always turned heads, but fans noticed an even sharper look in recent paparazzi shots, leading to questions about possible surgical help.
This has become especially apparent when comparing her to earlier photos, in which she looked, according to some, “almost like a completely different person.”
This has become especially apparent when comparing her to earlier photos, in which she looked, according to some, “almost like a completely different person.”
24points
#17 Katy Perry
Katy’s face has fluctuated over the years, but recent appearances show a much more contoured look. Though she’s admitted to injectables in the past, some think buccal fat removal is behind her sleeker cheeks.
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23points
#18 Angelina Jolie
Fans have long admired Jolie’s defined bone structure, but some believe her sharply contoured cheeks were enhanced later in life.
21points
#19 Danna Paola
The Elite actress’s striking bone structure has only become more dramatic, leading fans to question whether her hollow cheeks are natural or enhanced.
“Sucks to see Danna Paola change her face when it did not need to change one bit. She just looks gaunt now,” a fan wrote.
“If you can’t see buccal fat removal and fillers in this picture you need to get your eyes checked,” another added.
“Sucks to see Danna Paola change her face when it did not need to change one bit. She just looks gaunt now,” a fan wrote.
“If you can’t see buccal fat removal and fillers in this picture you need to get your eyes checked,” another added.
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18points
#20 Khloe Kardashian
Khloé is no stranger to cosmetic rumors, and many believe her transformed cheek area is the result of buccal fat removal in addition to contouring.
Beyond that specific procedure, the entire Kardashian clan has never shied away from discussing their love for cosmetic surgeries.
Beyond that specific procedure, the entire Kardashian clan has never shied away from discussing their love for cosmetic surgeries.
14points