What is Buccal Fat Removal?
The term buccal fat pads refer to the fatty pockets that occur naturally on the lower portion of cheeks, making them fuller. People with chubby cheeks or buccal fat pads often want their removal to get a better appearance or to avoid being mocked by the people around them. Buccal Fat Removal intends to execute this task with extreme precision. This cosmetic surgery involves removing a part of these deep fat pads accumulated in the mid-cheek portion. When performed under the supervision of an experienced plastic surgeon, it works effectively in ensuring a slimmer face, with a contoured jawline and well-defined cheekbones.
The ideal candidate for Buccal Fat Removal
- Your face appears plump and bulky due to the increased volume of your cheeks.
- You want to get rid of your full or chubby cheeks.
- You desire to have cheeks with a thinner and more youthful appearance.
- You are a healthy person, with no chronic disease.
- You have maintained a stable weight.
- You do not smoke or drink alcohol.
Procedure and Recovery Time
Step 1 - AnesthesiaThe surgery will take place under the influence of local anesthesia with or without sedation.
Step 2 - Incision creationOur doctor will create a small incision in the mouth, precisely in the area between the gums and the cheeks, close to the black molars.
Step 3 - Buccal pad removalNext, the surgeon removes a part of the buccal fat pads through the incision thus made. The doctor’s intuition and the desired results on the patient’s face will decide the extent of fat needed to remove.
Step 4 -Incision stitchingThe surgeon will use dissolvable sutures to close the incisions after extracting the required amount of fat. Due to the location of the incision inside the mouth, the chances of any external scars are null.
RecoveryThe patient may take around 2-3 weeks to recover completely from the buccal fat removal surgery. To avoid undue pain, it is better to maintain a semi-liquid or soft diet for up to a few days after undergoing the procedure. Rinsing the mouth is also advisable for better recovery.
Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal
- The procedure hardly takes an hour to complete.
- Reduces chipmunk cheeks - extreme fullness of cheeks .
- Makes the cheekbones look more prominent and defined
- No visible scar on the face
- More appealing and balanced facial structure
- Minimal downtime spanning 3-4 days
- Long-lasting results despite gaining weight
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Book NowFrequently Asked Questions
Experts call Buccal fat removal with other names like Bichectomy, cheek reduction surgery, and Buccal lipectomy.
The issues include chubby cheeks, heavy or droopy jowls, ill-defined facial contours, overly round face, etc.
Buccal fat removal eliminates fat pads from the cheeks while cheek implants intend to add volume to your cheeks. Hence, both are different.
The fat pads continue to grow up to the age of 20 years. Hence, undergoing the procedure after you cross 20 would be better.
Usually, the surgeon will remove around 50-70% of buccal fat to retain facial volume.
It is advisable to avoid consuming sharp and fine granular eatables after the surgery, such as rice and couscous. Hot food and drinks are equally important to escape.
You should prefer not to smoke and drink alcohol for at least up to 4 weeks after the surgery. Blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications are a strict no. In case of an emergency, make sure to consult your doctor before consuming them.
- Chances of swelling or bruising in the treated location
- Can lead to hollow cheeks with age
- Risk of facial nerve damage
- Chances of harm to salivary ducts
- Possibility of cheek asymmetry in rare instances
- Rare instances of abnormal heartbeat or shortness of breath
- Adverse risk to anesthesia
Detailed Information For Buccal Fat Removal
This is an informed consent document that has been prepared by Dr. Sumit Malhotra to inform you about buccal fat removal, the risks, and the alternative treatments.
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