Buccal Fat Removal
Improve Cheekbone And Jawline Definition While Thinning The Face
Buccal Fat Removal
Improve Cheekbone And Jawline Definition While Thinning The Face
Fat above the jaw and below the cheekbone (called buccal fat) gives our lower cheeks their fullness. Fat, pinchable cheeks are adorable on a baby, but can look puffy and give the appearance of a fat face or chipmunk cheeks on an adult. Some amount of fat in the face gives you a youthful appearance, but overly developed buccal fat pads can give you a puffy look.
Buccal Fat Removal Topics on this Page
Buccal fat pad removal is referred to as buccal lipectomy or cheek reduction surgery and is a cosmetic procedure offered by Cassileth Plastic Surgery that makes the face look more slender and gives an elegant facial contour. The talented plastic surgeons at Cassileth Plastic Surgery are highly skilled in the buccal fat removal procedure and other cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgeries.
Benefits
- More Chiseled Midface Features: Removing buccal fat pads from one’s cheeks is an ideal technique to achieve a chiseled and more refined facial appearance.
- Accentuate Eyes, Cheekbones, & Jawline: Removing the fat pad below the cheeks makes the eyes, cheekbones, and jawline stand out for a more defined contour and elegantly refined facial appearance.
- Achieve A Slimmer Face: If you have round, full cheeks but are not overweight, removing your buccal cheek fat can create a thinner face and change the shape from square and masculine to a defined heart or oval for a more feminine shape.
What to Expect
Preparing for Buccal Fat Removal
When preparing buccal fat removal, it’s important to fill any prescription medications provided by your facial plastic surgeon and refrain from taking anti-inflammatories and aspirin for at least 48 hours before your procedure.1
How This Procedure is Performed
This procedure involves removing fat from the midface to sculpt the cheeks and cheekbones for a more refined look. Buccal fat removal is done using local anesthesia and typically takes one hour. This is a minimally invasive surgery that requires one tiny incision inside each cheek. Buccal fat removal can be combined with other cosmetic procedures to enhance results, such as liposuction, rhinoplasty, facelift, or non-surgical procedures such as Botox or dermal fillers. This combination can greatly balance facial features to meet your specific desired final result.
Recovery After Buccal Fat Removal
Following buccal fat removal surgery, it is normal for the mouth and lower face to be swollen, tender, and sore. It’s also common to have some bruising on the inside of the mouth. We advise adhering to a diet of non-acidic foods for the first week following your procedure, sleep with your head elevated, and rinse the inside of your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash at least twice per day. Any swelling and discomfort should subside gradually over approximately two weeks, with final results visible in several months once the cheeks have molded to their new shape and swelling has completely dissipated.2
Who is a Good Candidate?
Buccal fat removal surgery is a procedure that is ideal for individuals who have concerns with chubby cheeks that appear too round or full. Ideal candidates for buccal fat pad removal are physically healthy, maintain a stable weight, have realistic expectations, and are non-smoking.3
Frequently Asked Questions About Buccal Fat Removal
Buccal fat removal is ideal for men and women of all ages who desire more contoured cheeks and a thinner face. It’s important to remember that people generally lose facial fat starting in their 20s. If buccal fat pads are removed before the aging process has naturally thinned out the face, the patient may end up looking gaunt or unhealthy.
Sutures are typically removed at the follow up appointment one week after your buccal fat removal surgery.
Preliminary results will become visible once the swelling begins to subside, generally after one week. Final results are visible approximately two months after buccal fat extraction.
Yes, buccal fat removal results are permanent but subject to weight gain just like any other part of your body. Patients who maintain a healthy stable weight will enjoy lasting and beautiful results.
LETS CHAT!
Contact Us
We believe that the connection between the patient and the provider is at the heart of every successful procedure and look forward to meeting you in person to discuss your goals.
1 ASPS. How should I prepare for buccal fat removal? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buccal-fat-removal/preparation. Accessed May 30, 2024.
2 ASPS. What results should I expect after buccal fat removal? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buccal-fat-removal/results. Accessed May 30, 2024.
3 ASPS. Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buccal-fat-removal/candidates. Accessed May 30, 2024.