Honestly, the internet just can't let it go. One day you’re watching Miley Cyrus belt out "Flowers" at the Grammys, looking like a literal golden goddess, and the next, your TikTok feed is nothing but side-by-side photos from 2010 vs. 2024. People are zooming in on her cheekbones like they’re hunting for hidden treasure. The big question? Did she or didn't she get Miley Cyrus buccal fat removal?
It’s one of those things where once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Her face used to have that soft, rounded "Disney Channel" fullness. Now? It’s all sharp angles and hollowed-out shadows. It’s a look. But is it just the result of growing up, or did a surgeon actually go in there and take something out?
What’s the Deal with the Sculpted Look?
Let’s be real for a second. Miley has been in the spotlight since she was a kid. Faces change. Baby fat melts away. That’s just basic biology. But the shift in Miley’s midface area—specifically that hollow space right under her cheekbones—is so dramatic that even the experts are scratching their heads.
Buccal fat removal (or a bichectomy, if you want to be fancy) is a surgical procedure where a doctor makes a tiny cut inside your mouth and pulls out the fat pads in your cheeks. It’s permanent. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Why the rumors started
People really started talking during her 2023 "Endless Summer Vacation" era. Her jawline looked like it could cut glass. Then came the 2024 Grammys. Between the massive Barbarella hair and the vintage Galliano dress, her facial structure looked completely transformed.
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It wasn't just "I lost five pounds" skinny. It was "I have new bone structure" skinny.
What Plastic Surgeons Actually Think
Since Miley hasn't sat down to give a play-by-play of her medical records, we have to look at what the pros say. Dr. Sam Fuller, a plastic surgeon who often weighs in on celebrity tweaks, mentioned to the Daily Mail that her face looks narrowed in a way that strongly suggests a buccal fat pad excision. He pointed out how the procedure accentuates the jaw bone by removing the "bulk" in the lower cheek.
But wait. There’s more to the story than just one surgery.
- The "Bullhorn" Lip Lift: Some experts, like Dr. Fuller, suspect she might have had a subnasal lip lift. This shortens the space between the nose and the lip, making the mouth look fuller without just pumping it full of filler.
- The Smile Factor: By late 2025 and early 2026, fans noticed her teeth looked different too. She’s had veneers for years, but her recent look is softer. It’s less "Hollywood Chiclet" and more natural. When your teeth change, the way your lips and cheeks sit changes too.
- The Aging Gracefully (or Artificially) Debate: Dr. Norman Rowe in New York noted that her cheekbones are way more defined, yet she hasn't seemingly lost weight elsewhere. To him, that screams buccal fat removal.
It’s Not Just About the Surgery
Look, makeup is a hell of a drug. At the 2024 Grammys, Miley’s makeup artist, James Kaliardos, used a whole lot of Pat McGrath Labs products to "sculpt" her face. We're talking heavy bronzer under the cheekbones and highlighter on the high points.
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If you’ve ever tried contouring at home, you know you can basically give yourself a new nose if you have enough blending brushes. Could the Miley Cyrus buccal fat removal rumors just be a case of really, really good lighting and a $60 bronzer?
Maybe. But makeup usually washes off. The hollows in Miley’s cheeks seem to stay put even in low-res paparazzi shots at the airport.
The Risk of Going Too Far
The thing about removing facial fat is that it’s a gamble. Fat is what keeps us looking young. Dr. Lavi Bit Ackerman, a dermatologist, warns that taking out those fat pads in your 20s or 30s can make you look "gaunt" or "aged" once you hit 50. When we age, we naturally lose volume. If you start with zero fat in your cheeks, there's nothing left to hold the skin up later on.
The "Reborn" Look of 2026
Fast forward to right now. The conversation has shifted slightly. Instead of just talking about the surgery, people are obsessed with how "balanced" she looks. There’s a theory floating around that she might have realized the "ultra-hollow" look was a bit much and used some fillers or updated her dental work to soften the edges.
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It’s a reminder that celebrity faces are constantly under construction. It’s rarely just one procedure; it’s a series of "tweakments" that evolve over time.
What You Should Know If You’re Considering It
If you’re looking at Miley and thinking, "I want that jawline," take a beat.
- It’s Irreversible: You can’t just put the fat back in. If you hate it, you’re stuck with expensive fillers for the rest of your life.
- Anatomy Matters: If you already have a thin face, this surgery will make you look like a skeleton. It’s meant for people with naturally round, "chipmunk" cheeks.
- The Nerve Risk: There’s a facial nerve that runs right through that area. If the surgeon slips? You could end up with permanent numbness or issues moving your mouth.
The Bottom Line
Miley Cyrus has never confirmed she had buccal fat removal. She’s always been an advocate for "being yourself," but in Hollywood, "being yourself" often involves a very talented surgical team. Whether it’s aging, fitness, or a bichectomy, she looks incredible. Just remember that what you see on a red carpet is a combination of genetics, professional lighting, expensive skincare, and potentially, a very precise scalpel.
Next Steps for the Curious:
If you're genuinely thinking about facial contouring, don't just bring a photo of Miley to a med-spa. Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can explain your specific facial anatomy. Ask them about "fat-sparing" techniques or how your face will look in 20 years. Always check for a surgeon's before-and-after gallery specifically for buccal fat—every doctor has a different "style" when it comes to how much they remove.