If you are unhappy with your facial structure, particularly if you have rounded or full cheeks, you may want to consider buccal fat removal. Buccal fat removal or cheek reduction slims down your face, heightens your cheekbones, and gives your jaw line better definition. The procedure is ideal for those with a rounder baby face who want a more chiseled facial appearance. Here is everything you need to know about buccal fat removal.
Should You Get Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal surgery is a cosmetic procedure that eliminates the fat between your jawbone and cheekbones to help shape your face. Although everyone has buccal fat, some people have more fat than others. People with excess buccal fat may find their faces too full and chubby.
Removing buccal fat helps to highlight the bone structure of your face, particularly the cheekbones and the hollowed-out part between the jawline and cheeks. Cheek reduction surgery is performed by a licensed cosmetic surgeon with specialized training in plastic surgery procedures.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure suitable for most people with a protruding buccal fat pad. You are likely a good candidate for cheek reduction if you feel you have a baby face or rounded cheeks or want to slim down your face to achieve a more chiseled, youthful appearance. You may be a good candidate for buccal fat removal if you:
- Are unhappy with the appearance of fullness in your cheeks
- Have a healthy and stable body weight
- Are in good physical health
- Are close to your ideal body weight
- Have realistic expectations of the cosmetic procedure
- Avoid the use of tobacco products
Buccal fat removal surgery is not performed on people with narrow, thin faces because they will have a gaunt face as they age. The surgery is also not performed on older people because buccal fat naturally diminishes as you age.
What Happens During The Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?
Cheek reduction surgery is a painless and quick in-office procedure that can be completed within an hour. Before the procedure, local anesthesia is administered to help numb the treatment area of your cheeks. Your surgeon may also recommend an intravenous (IV) sedative for those who are overly anxious.
During the surgery, a small incision is made inside your mouth around the inner parts of each cheek, and the buccal fat is then removed. After the buccal fat is eliminated, the surgeon will suture the incisions. In most cases, dissolvable sutures are used. Your cosmetic surgeon will let you know when you need to come back for assessment after your procedure.
What to Expect After Buccal Fat Removal Surgery
After your cheek removal surgery, your cosmetic surgeon will explain how you should care for the incisions. They will provide a special mouth rinse to prevent infection and help with the healing process. In addition, you will need to consume a liquid diet for one to two days as the incisions heal. Based on the surgeon’s recommendations, you can gradually add soft foods to your diet.
After the surgical procedure, you can expect numbness, bruising, and swelling at the incision sites. However, these side effects will fade gradually as the body heals. You can expect your healing time to take approximately three weeks. However, you will need several months to see the desired results.
Is It Right For You?
Buccal fat removal surgery will transform the shape of your face by reducing the fullness of your lower cheeks, slimming your lower face, and highlighting your facial structure and cheekbones. However, you should remember that the surgery results are final, and once the buccal fats are eliminated, they are gone for good. Ensure that you find a certified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure and discuss any risks with you so you can make an informed decision.