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Buccal Fat Pad Reduction
Buccal Fat Pad Reduction
Buccal Fat Pad Reduction
Facial contouring is a significant focus of facial enhancement procedures, whether surgical or nonsurgical. The cheekbone and surrounding areas are one area of the face that receives quite a bit of attention. Often, the goal is to highlight the cheekbones of the face. This can be accomplished using nonsurgical treatments such as dermal fillers. However, another method of accentuating the cheekbones involves addressing the fatty tissue called the buccal fat below the cheekbones. Everyone has buccal fat in their cheek region, but some people have more than others. When buccal fat is excessive, it can lead to a rounded appearance of the face, causing it to look full no matter what a person’s weight may be. This facial fullness can sometimes cause blunting of the cheek contour and is a target for highlighting the bony structure of the face.
Questions & Answers
Buccal fat pad reduction is a cosmetic surgery that improves facial proportions by slimming the cheek below the cheekbone. This treatment is ideal for those with facial fullness, which prevents the optimal contour of the cheekbones despite their weight or fitness status. Through a small incision inside the mouth, the buccal fat can be removed in a tailored fashion to generate optimal cheek contour.
The benefits of buccal fat pad reduction are unique to each individual. Buccal fat pad reduction can:
- Slim, bulky cheeks
- Accentuate cheekbone structure
- Add contour to the face
In addition to deciding whether buccal fat pad reduction can meet your personal goals, several factors must be considered in determining whether you are a good candidate for a buccal fat pad reduction. Good candidates for buccal fat pad reduction include those who:
- Want to improve cheek contour
- Want to achieve better proportion to the face
- Have enough excess buccal fat for removal
- You are a nonsmoker, or you are willing to stop smoking before your buccal fat pad reduction
While buccal fat pad reduction can address various concerns, it has limitations. Knowing these limitations and understanding when you may be a candidate for a different type of surgery is essential. Buccal fat pad reduction is not ideal for those with limited buccal fat. Buccal fat mustn’t be excessively removed, as this adds to an earlier-aged appearance if not done in a conservative, tailored fashion.
Buccal fat pad reduction can be performed in an office under local anesthesia or as an outpatient procedure with general anesthesia in an operating room when combined with other methods. After your surgery, you will spend a short time in the recovery room before a friend or family member takes you home, where you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night. We will advise you on pain medication to ease any discomfort, give you detailed post-operative instructions, and schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress.
It is expected to experience some pain and swelling in the first few days after surgery. You may also experience soreness while chewing food. You will have some food restrictions (i.e., crunchy or sharp foods) so as not to disturb your incisions. Incisions usually heal within 1 to 2 weeks following surgery.
You can usually return to work within days, depending on your type of work.
The results of a buccal fat reduction can be seen immediately following surgery. However, additional, more tailored shapes will occur as swelling around the area improves. These results are long-lasting.
Every patient’s recovery is different. Your recovery may be quicker or take more time than average.
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