The fat in your face that lies between your jaw and cheeks is called buccal fat. Your face’s shape is influenced by these adipose pads. A procedure called buccal fat removal is used to remove fat from this part of the face. This might draw attention to the contours of your face, particularly the hollowed-out spaces between your cheekbones and jawline and your cheekbones. Another name for the process is a cheek reduction.
What is buccal fat removal?
The fat that is between your jaw and cheekbones and contributes to the contours of your face is called buccal fat. Although buccal fat is present in everyone, some people have more than others.
A procedure called buccal fat removal is used to remove fat from this part of the face. Eliminating this fat can draw attention to the features of your face, particularly the hollowed-out spaces between your cheeks and jawline and your cheekbones. Another name for this operation is a cheek reduction.
One kind of plastic surgery is buccal fat removal surgery. The choice to undergo plastic surgery is an individual one. It’s advisable to think about plastic surgery only if you really want to change the way you look, not just because someone else says you should. It’s crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of undergoing plastic surgery.
Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal?
Some people can feel that their cheeks’ roundness gives their faces an unattractive fullness. A cheek reduction can help you feel less self-conscious about how “chubby” or full your cheeks are.
This is a surgery you might think about getting if you:
- I dislike the way your cheeks seem to be fuller.
- are constant in their weight and otherwise in good health.
- Because buccal fat normally decreases with age, you might not be a good candidate for buccal fat removal if your face is narrow or if you are older.
A medical professional with specialized training in plastic surgery, such as a licensed plastic surgeon, typically performs buccal fat removal surgery.
Procedure Details
What happens before a buccal fat removal surgery?
Prior to having surgery to remove buccal fat, you will consult with your physician. They will talk with you about your surgical goals and what to anticipate both during and after the treatment.
In addition to doing a physical examination, your provider will probably take pictures of your face on your first visit. Inquiries concerning your general health, including your family’s medical history and any previous surgeries you may have had, will also be asked of you. They will ask you about basic health information, such your blood pressure, and talk to you about any medications you are currently taking. It’s critical that you inform your healthcare practitioner about all of your prescription drugs, including herbal and dietary supplements. Before surgery, they might ask you to give up smoking or using tobacco products for the greatest results.
Your healthcare practitioner will answer any questions you may have and go over what to anticipate throughout the procedure during this time. They can talk about potential dangers associated with the operation and offer recommendations based on your particular objectives.
What happens during a buccal fat removal procedure?
You can get buccal fat removal at a hospital or at the office of your healthcare practitioner, and you’ll return home the same day.
What to anticipate from your procedure is as follows:
- To make you painless, a local anesthetic will be applied to your face to numb the skin. You will not sleep through the process. You might be given general anesthesia if you’re having multiple procedures done at once. If you are given general anesthesia, your clinician will want you to make transportation arrangements following.
- To reveal the buccal fat pads, your plastic surgeon will make a little incision on the inside of your mouth on both sides of your face.
- The fat pads will be further exposed by your provider gently pressing on them before they are sliced and removed.
- Ultimately, your healthcare practitioner will use stitches to seal the wounds. The sutures dissolve quite frequently. Following your surgery, your provider will inform you if you need to return for suture removal.
What happens after this procedure?
Your healthcare practitioner will provide you instructions on how to take care of your incisions after your treatment. You can be given a specific mouthwash to aid with healing and stave against infections. For a day or two, you will only consume liquids while your incisions heal. Soft foods can be gradually added to your diet as long as your healthcare physician approves.
After surgery, you should anticipate the following:
- Growing.
- bruising.
- numbness where cuts are made.
- As your body heals, these should progressively disappear. Typically, the healing process takes three weeks. You won’t be able to see the finished product for several months at least.
Risks / Benefits
What are the risks associated with buccal fat removal surgery?
You should consider the risks and potential advantages of any surgery before undergoing it. Any hazards will be discussed with you by your healthcare practitioner so you may make an educated choice.
The following are some dangers connected to buccal fat removal surgery:
- infection where the wound was made.
- damage to the salivary ducts or damage to the facial nerves.
- alterations in feeling or numbness.
- An imbalance.
What is the recovery time for buccal fat removal surgery?
Your doctor will offer you with instructions on how to encourage healing following your treatment. It’s critical to adhere to your provider’s aftercare recommendations, including scheduling any necessary follow-up visits. After this treatment, the healing period normally lasts three weeks, but the results won’t become apparent for several months.
When can I go back to work/school/drive/eat?
Usually a few days to a week after your provider gives the all-clear, you can resume your regular activities.
When To Call the Doctor
When should I see my healthcare provider?
In general, buccal fat reduction is a safe operation. But you should contact your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible if you encounter any of the following symptoms:
- excessive loss of blood.
- Any symptoms of an infection, such as a fever, redness, or pus-filled skin that is hot to the touch.
- if you’re not recovering well or if your results are lopsided.
- If you suspect injury to your salivary glands or detect an unusual taste in your mouth.
It’s uncommon, but immediately contact 911 or your healthcare physician if you encounter any of the following symptoms:
- breathlessness.
- ache in the chest.
- irregular heartbeat.
Additional Details
Some common questions you can ask your provider about buccal fat removal:
- Are I a suitable candidate for surgery to reduce my cheek size?
- Do you possess a collection of images showing this kind of operation before and after?
- What dangers come with undergoing this procedure?
- How long does it take to recover from this procedure?
- Will there be any scars from this procedure?
- What kinds of long-term changes might I anticipate following the excision of buccal fat?
- What happens if I experience problems?
- If things don’t go according to plan, what kind of issues should I anticipate?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Making the decision to have plastic surgery is quite private. To ensure that having buccal fat removal surgery is the correct decision for you, you should consider the risks and benefits of the procedure. Nonetheless, you might be a suitable candidate for buccal fat removal surgery if you have round cheekbones and dislike the way they appear. Discuss your alternatives with your healthcare professional.
