Does your face still have baby cheeks despite diet and exercise? Do your chubby cheeks concern you? If diet and exercise have still left you with big cheeks that don’t suit your ideal image, buccal fat removal may be the right procedure for you.
What is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal, also known as cheek reduction, is a common cosmetic procedure performed to decrease fullness in the cheeks and give the face a more contoured and mature appearance.
The buccal fat pad is a pad of fat that exists in your cheeks. The size of the pad is different for everyone and often determined by genetics. Though full cheeks can be signs of a youthful appearance, for some patients it may make their face appear too round. This procedure is designed to provide more definition to the cheekbones and jawline.
Buccal fat removal can be combined with other treatments as well such as facial lifts, rhinoplasty, and lip augmentations.
Who is an Ideal Candidate?
An ideal candidate for buccal fat removal is someone who is at a stable weight and otherwise ideal physical health but is bothered by the appearance of chubby cheeks and has been unable to achieve results through diet and exercise.
Patients with thin or narrow faces may not be ideal candidates as this procedure can make you look gaunt in the future.
Those who are older or have certain medical conditions should consult with their primary care physician before seeking treatment as this procedure may not be right for you.
Procedure
Buccal fat removal is often performed as an outpatient procedure and done under local anesthesia to provide optimal patient comfort.
Once numb, the surgeon will create a small incision inside the mouth, on the inner cheek. The surgeon will then remove or reduce the buccal fat pad size. After the incision is then closed with sutures that will dissolve on their own after a few weeks.
What are the Associated Risks?
As with most surgical procedures, there are a few associated risks. Risks or complications associated with buccal fat removal may include bleeding, infection, damage to surrounding tissue, facial asymmetry, facial nerve damage, hematoma, anesthesia risks, deep vein thrombosis, and excess removal of fat.
During your consultation, your doctor will discuss potential risks so that you can make the best decision about your health.
Recovery Process
After your procedure, we will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions. It is important to follow these instructions to ensure optimal results.
During your recovery process, we ask that you follow a liquid diet for at least a week to avoid irritating your incisions. After a week, you may need to progress to a soft food diet and avoid sharp or crunchy foods before returning to your normal diet. By adjust
If your doctor provides a medicated mouth rinse or oral medication to reduce the risk of infection, please take it accordingly.
avoid sharp or crunchy foods for several days.
Cold compresses and ice packs can be used to reduce swelling.
We also recommend patients avoid sleeping on their side to prevent putting pressure on their cheeks. Instead, sleep on your back with your head elevated to help speed up your recovery.
Results
Initial results can be seen once the swelling begins to subside typically around two weeks following surgery. Patients will notice a thinner more contoured profile in their face making the cheekbones appear higher. It is important to note that it may take two to four months to see the full results of your procedure.
Though results are permanent, significant fluctuations in weight can impact the results of your procedure.
Certain areas of the body can be resistant to diet and exercise making it hard for you to achieve your desired goals. We are here to help. For more information on buccal fat removal and our services or to schedule an appointment, contact MD Brothers today.