Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

No. The buccal fat is a different consistency that regular fat, and about the size of a large grape. Between that and its location deep within the face, liposuction is not an option. I will oftentimes liposuction fatty deposits elsewhere on the cheek, jowls and neck in addition to your cheek reduction surgery in order to deliver really spectacular results. This is called a V-Contour procedure.

Some people try to get rid of face fat on their own through facial exercises. They believe facial exercises help build muscle tone, but there is no research that proves facial exercises help with fat loss. Other people incorporate more cardio exercise into their lives. They increase their water intake, avoid alcohol, and reduce their carb consumption. They also limit sodium in their diet and strive to get more sleep in hopes of losing weight. Unfortunately, these do-it-yourself methods do not provide instant results and sometimes have limited results. For this reason, if you want to get rid of face fat, you should consider a buccal fat removal procedure.

Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure It isn't medically necessary. People who are dissatisfied with their face structure may opt for buccal fat removal. No one should undergo the surgery to please someone else. Patients who are healthy and at their ideal weight are good candidates for the procedure.

As with any surgery, there are risks to buccal fat removal. Possible risks include bleeding, hematoma, infection, deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary issues, numbness, anesthesia risks, facial muscle weakness, and other complications. If you already have a slender face, you should not get buccal fat removal. It will only make you look gaunt or hollow around your cheeks. On the other hand, if you have a chipmunk cheek look or have a weighted down appearance to your face, buccal fat pad removal may be right for you.

You are put under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Your plastic surgeon may also give you intravenous sedation during a buccal fat removal procedure. This enables you to remain comfortable while in surgery. Since you will receive anesthesia, you will not feel pain during the procedure. After the procedure, you will experience pain, swelling, and bruising. Fortunately, the pain and discomfort go away after a few days. The majority of the swelling is during the first 10 days.

During the first week after buccal fat removal, you should avoid all strenuous activity. Your doctor will encourage you to engage in light physical activity like regular short walks around your house. This light activity will reduce the risk of blood clots and benefit your circulation. After buccal fat removal, you can usually return to normal activities within two weeks. Two to five weeks after surgery, you may still have some minor swelling.

After your buccal fat removal, you will have swelling and some mild discomfort. Tylenol can help with your pain. Applying ice can help reduce pain and swelling. Regularly apply ice for the first 72 hours after the procedure. This will help reduce swelling and speed up your recovery.

Since you will have 2 small incisions in your inner cheeks after the buccal fat removal procedure, avoid granular and sharp foods like tortilla chips and couscous. Instead, opt for mashed potatoes or a well-mixed smoothie. You will have 2 stitches inside your mouth, but sharp or granular foods can get in the wounds.

Face fat removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, so insurance will not cover the surgery. This kind of treatment usually costs about $3000-8000, but price may vary according to geographic location and your plastic surgeon's experience. Contact your plastic surgeon's office for more information on the procedure's cost. Keep in mind that having an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is worth paying a higher price.

Buccal fat does not come back. That’s because complete buccal fat removal is a permanent procedure. When the buccal pads are removed, fat will not return to the cheeks. Your cheeks will remain slender even if you gain weight in other areas of your body. In contrast, if you only have a partial buccal fat removal, fat can return if you gain weight.

Buccal fat pads are pockets of fat located in your cheeks. If you have large buccal fat pads, your cheeks may appear excessively chubby. Large buccal fat pads may also make other people think you are younger than you really are. This can lead to dissatisfaction with your appearance. When your buccal fat pads are surgically removed, your face appears more slender and contoured. Each person has different sized buccal fat pads. Moreover, the buccal fat pad in one cheek may be a different size than your other cheek. Plastic surgeons avoid performing buccal fat pad removal surgery on people with naturally slender faces.