Buccal fat reduction, or buccal fat pad removal is a cosmetic procedure that will slim the appearance of your cheeks. Buccal fat pad removal is commonly used in conjunction with a series of other facial cosmetic procedures as it can be used to contour the face to conform with the overall look the you are going for. If you have particularly round cheeks, this procedure can give you the streamlined face you have always dreamed of. The reason for buccal fat pad removal being quite popular is that usually round cheeks are the result of genetics and can not be reduced in size through exercise, not a result of being overweight.

The genetic predisposition to full cheeks.

Often referred to a “baby face”, chubby cheeks can give facial features a rounded look, after buccal fat pad removal surgery, patients often remark that they are taken more seriously in professional settings. Anyone who still has a roundness to their cheeks after the age of 18 to 20 will likely never lose it. A good way to determine if you have a genetic predisposition to large buccal fat deposits is to look at your older relatives when they were your age. Do they still have chubby cheeks? If so then you may want to seriously consider buccal fat pad removal surgery in order to have a more contoured and streamlined face.

What will my face look like after buccal fat pad removal surgery?

After a patient undergoes buccal fat pad removal surgery in New York they will notice that they have slightly more slender and defined facial lines. The aesthetic beauty of the facial bone structure will be revealed, you will be able to see more defined cheekbones. It is important to note that the changes following buccal fat pad removal are quite subtle and this will not massively change your appearance. This is of course, the goal of any cosmetic surgery, to enhance what is already there, but not make it apparent that cosmetic surgery has been performed.

As cosmetic surgeries go, buccal fat pad removal is not particularly invasive. A small incision is made inside the mouth and the buccal fat pad is removed. The recovery time is also relatively short, with swelling only noticeable for a few days at the most. As the buccal fat pad removal surgery is performed from an incision within the mouth, there is no visible scarring on the face.

I would like slimmer cheeks, am I a good candidate?

To be an ideal patient for a buccal fat pad removal surgery, you must be in good health and over the age of 18 in most cases. Good health is required for all cosmetic surgery procedures and during the consultation phase a surgeon will want to understand the reasons that you want the buccal fat pad removed. A great cosmetic surgeon will be able to communicate the details of the surgery and give you realistic expectations. It is vital that you are open and honest with the surgeon regarding your smoking and drinking habits, along with any medications that you take on a regular basis. Smoking and drinking should be avoided before and after the surgery, your surgeon will be able to advise you more on this. To ensure the most positive outcome possible from the buccal fat pad removal surgery, it is vital that you follow the surgeon’s directions to the letter.

How is the procedure performed in detail?

There are many factors that could affect the length of time the surgery takes to perform. Usually, the removal of buccal fat from a patient’s cheek will take around one hour. Once local anesthesia has been applied an incision less than an half an inch will be made inside the mouth. Using pressure on the outside of the mouth, the surgeon will be able to remove the buccal fat and give you the slimmer face you have always wanted.

The actual removal of the buccal fat is done in small gradual stages. The majority of the swelling will subside quickly, however all of the swelling will not have gone down for at least 3 months.

What do I do after the surgery?

When recovering from any facial cosmetic surgery is is advised that you keep your head elevated at all times. This is also true for patients recovering from a buccal fat pad removal surgery. Up to about 3 weeks after the surgery is performed, you should sleep with your head elevated. This is usually done by using an extra pillow or two. The reason for this is it prevents excessive amounts of blood pooling in the head and helps reduce swelling.

It is very important that you keep in touch with your doctor and follow their instructions closely during the recovery period, any inconvenience or change in routine will be more than worth it in the long run.